Denver Broncos Are Heavy Favorites – Again – Reminding Fans of Three Biggest Playoff Disappointments

Denver Broncos' fans have had their share of post-season disappointments. In addition to 4 humiliating Super Bowl losses, we have  suffered plenty of playoff heartbreaks.With the #1 seed and the home field advantage in the AFC playoffs for the second straight season, the Broncos seem to have the inside track on another Super Bowl appearance.  The Broncos are early 10 point favorites at home against wild card winner San Diego. Fans are hoping it's not another bitter ending to the season. It certainly wouldn't be the first time a "sure thing"  ended in heartbreak.Here's a look at the Denver Broncos' three biggest playoff disappointments.

1) January 4, 1997  Divisional Playoff :Jacksonville 30  Denver 27
The Broncos went 13-3 during the regular season and earned the #1 seed in the AFC Playoffs. Victory seemed all but certain when the Jacksonville Jaguars came to Mile High Stadium as 14 point underdogs.. The Jags were a 9-7 team that only got into the playoffs because Morton Anderson missed a last second field goal in the final game of the season. Lead by Terrell Davis, John Elway, and Shannon Sharpe the Broncos jumped out to a 12-0 first quarter lead, but Jacksonville scored 23 unanswered points enroute to the upset victory.The Jaguars would lose to New England in the AFC Championship Game 20-6.

2) January 22, 2006 AFC Championship Game: Pittsburgh 34 Denver 17
The Broncos won the AFC West title, and were the #2 seed in the playoffs The Broncos eliminated two-time defending Super Bowl Champion New England in a game at Invesco Field at Mile High. Meanwhile, the 6th seed wildcard team Pittsburgh was upsetting Peyton Manning and the AFC's #1 seed, Indianapolis, when Mike Vanderjagt  missed a game-tying 47 yard field goal with 17 second remaining. That meant the Broncos would host the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. With the Colts and Patriots out, the Super Bowl seemed like a sure thing. But, the Steelers, led by second-year quarterback Ben Rothlisberger, forced four  Jake Plummer turnovers enroute to a 24-3 halftime lead. The outcome was never in doubt. The Steelers went on to beat Seattle in the Super Bowl 21-10, and mid-way through the following season Jake Plummer was replaced by rookie Jay Cutler.

3)January 12, 2013 Divisional Playoff:  Baltimore 38 Denver 35 2 OT
For Bronco's fans,  this one is still as fresh as this morning's coffee and as bitter as last week's milk.. The Broncos were 13-3, the #1 AFC seed, and heavily favored against a Ravens team they had dominated and beaten 34-17 less than one month earlier. With 2:30 remaining in regulations and the Broncos up by 7, Denver calls for three consecutive running plays, failing to get a first down, and consequently were forced to punt the ball to Baltimore with less than two minutes to play. Well, we all know about the 70 yard pass play with 31 seconds remaining that tied the score and forced overtime. The Ravens would win in double overtime, leaving the Broncos shocked, stunned, and silent. It was a bitter pill to swallow, who's after taste will linger, unless the Manning-led Broncos can make it all the way to the Super Bowl.