Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors


FB

[hype it up!]
[Share with Yardbarker]

Published on 01/07/2010 at Thu Jan 07 10:00.
Tagged: ,,,,.



Broncos’ decade record best in West

Posted Thu Jan 7th by

The Denver Broncos‘ legacy from 2000-2009 will be remembered as the decade of “close, but no cigar.”

The Broncos were always in the hunt for the AFC West title but only won the division once in the Aughts, in 2005. They placed third in the division in 2001 and 2006 and placed second every other year.

So while recent developments leave one feeling a sense of trending mediocrity in the Rockies, the Broncos actually enjoyed the best record in the division in the decade. Take a look:

AFC WEST W L T PCT SBw SBa PB
Denver Broncos 93 67 0 .581 4
San Diego Chargers 85 75 0 .531 5
Kansas City Chiefs 70 90 0 .438 2
Oakland Raiders 62 98 0 .388 1 3

SBw: Super Bowl wins; SBa: Super Bowl appearances; Pb: Playoff Berth

The real difference-maker is that the Broncos were never truly bad during that timespan, unlike the other three teams in the division. The Chargers were dreadful to start the decade, the Chiefs to end it and the Raiders throughout it (for the most part).

All that being said, it’s a minor consolation prize; the San Diego Chargers had the most division titles and playoff appearances of the decade, and still have the 2009 playoffs to adjust those right columns a tad. We think it’s safe to say that most fans would trade the decade the Broncos had for the decade the Chargers continue to enjoy.

NFL Standings for the Decade: Colts, Patriots Are the Best, Lions Are Clearly the Worst [NFL FanHouse]

  • pwsbronco

    What was the point of this Post? Obviously there is nothing good to say about our bronco's at this time. Maybe it would have been better not to say anything at all. See you in April…

  • http://broncotalk.net Kyle

    I found it interesting. As it sparked quite a large conversation and debate between Frank Schwab of the CSG and other fans on twitter, I'd say others found it interesting too.

    Thanks for stopping by anyway

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Josh Temple

    I'm actually finding this quite fascinating. It seems to hit you differently when all of the win columns are right in front of you. Technically the Raiders were more successful by getting closer to the final prize than any of the other teams in our division, yet they've been terrible the rest of the decade. They really did get their stars aligned for two seasons.

    This just points out the same fact I like to mention to the trash talking Charger fans. How is your AFC Championship loss somehow greater than ours this decade?

  • CompUser

    Interesting, but unless there was an official year zero (which I'm certain there wasn't), the decade has one year to go.

  • Awesome, Austin

    I think winning like this keeps vet guys coming into denver who want to try for another ring or a last shot at one. Guys that have some left in the tank (i.e. Dawinks) which can provide leadership and teaching on the field…if you have teams like the raiders/chiefs (although they seemed to kick ass last game) where they are void of old talent then the young players have no idea what they are doing.

  • DantePakistan

    It seems like ages ago that the Raiders were good.

    Yes, all these arrogant Chargers fans always talking trash but aren't the team that is always under achieving?

  • Mike

    The past is the past, it has been good because the Broncos have, in the past, been competitive most years. The present presents a very different story. Having been beaten at home by the Chargers, Raiders and Chiefs in the past ten games tells me we better enjoy the past because the present is awful. The present (past 10 games) has the Broncos at 2-10 and the worst of the AFC Worst. OUCH!

  • roshon2411

    I think this chart shows how under appreciated Shanny was after Elway left. Yeah he may have only had one playoff win since Elway retired but how many playoff wins does Denver have without Elway before 83. Elway spoiled all of us and we're not getting that back any time soon.

  • TheTroglodyte

    Shanahan isn't appreciated after Elway left because he had complete control over the team, got every draft the way he wanted it. Got every free agent he wanted and all he could muster was 1 playoff win over an entire decade.

    You pointed out the amount of wins the Bronco's had before Elway got there and you are exactly right. Elway was the reason the Bronco's were a great team. It had little to nothing to do with Shanahan.

  • roshon2411

    I agree Elway was great but to say Shanahan had little to do with those Super Bowl wins is ridiculous. Wasn't he the one who drafted TD and brought in guys like Eddy Mac, Neil Smith, Romo, Alfred Williams and Mobley. Not to mention given Nalen and Rod Smith the opportunity to have the careers they did.

    Besides what had Elway done the five years before Shanny? People thought Elway was done before Shanny came to town. He was 16-16 the two years prior w/Wade Phillips and 25-23 Dan Reeves last three years. It's not like he inherited a playoff team. Glad we didn't run Elway out of town for being a mediocre for 5 straight years.

    Even after Elway, Shanahan had 85 wins this decade. From 2000-2008 only 4 teams had more: Colts, Pats, Steelers, and Eagles. Not bad for losing a HOF QB if you ask me. How'd the 49ers do after Montana/Young, Dolphins w/o Marino, Cowboys w/o Aikman, or the Bills w/o Kelly?

    Like I said he's under appreciated.