Denver Broncos @ Arizona Cardinals; Through the Years

For thoughts on the game from a Cardinals perspective, visit Revenge of the Birds!! ![]()
The pickin's for great games through the years were slim to say the least. Since our first match up with the Cardinals in 1973 ended in a tie, the Broncos are undefeated against the Cardinals in the regular season. An almost perfect 9-0-1, which included two shut outs. In those ten games, the Broncos averaged nearly 30 points per game while the Cardinals barely surpassed 10 per game.
In my review of the history of this rivalry, I found two games that stood out to me. The first was in Cutler's rookie season where he got his first victory as a starting quarterback by demolishing his first round counterpart Matt Leinart, 37-20. Though the game was hugely exciting to us fans who were hungry for a playoff birth that was not to be, I decided to pick the other game on my list of two to focus on. How much better can you get than to pick one of the 47 4th quarter comebacks engineered by the venerable John Elway.

In the second to last game of the season, the Broncos were battling it out with the Buffalo Bills for homefield advantage. The Broncos were 10-4 and facing the woeful Cardinals(4-10) in Mile High Stadium. Elway once said that the worst games to lose were the ones your were heavily favored to win. This was one such game.
John Elway and the Broncos game out firing on all cylinders, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first half. However, the Cardinals came to play and had their way with Elway, picking him off three times during the game. The game was a classic back and forth struggle for field position and costly turnovers by Elway kept the Cardinals in the game.
The Broncos took a 17-6 lead in the third quarter when things really started to fall apart for the Broncos. The Cardinals, spurred by turnovers and the smell of an upset, run up 13 unanswered points to take the lead late in the game 19-17.
Of course, this was where Elway showed his true greatness. He played horrible for third and a half quarters and then for some damn reason, something would click and he would realize he was running out of time to win the game. With normal quarterbacks, the game ends and the team loses. With John Elway, the team rallies and makes the plays it needs to win the game. Elway marched his team down the field and ran the ball in from four yards out to put the Broncos up 24-19, securing the AFC West Division Title as well.
1991 was a special year for Elway and the Broncos. It was a year of comebacks for Elway and it was also the year that got away from them. 1991 should have been the year that Elway made his 4th appearance in a Super Bowl. Granted, it probably would have ended in another defeat, but we'll never really know what would have happened...
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I voted other,
and my choice would be that 2001 game. Griese completed 17 straight passes, which I believe is good for third-best in franchise history.
"Keep your head down, and inch toward daylight." - Blade of Tyshalle
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
by Russ on
Aug 27, 2008 9:35 AM MDT
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That was Guru's pick too I think...I just didn't want to give Griese any love on this site. lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 10:18 AM MDT
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Classic Elway/Reeves
He played horrible for third and a half quarters and then for some damn reason, something would click and he would realize he was running out of time to win the game.
That was usually the time that Reeves figured out that his conservativeness was going to lose the game and he would tell John to just go win it.
"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
"I wouldn't say he's nowhere near T.O." - Pacman Jones on Brandon Marshall
"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano from DP Comments
by DesertBroncoFan on
Aug 27, 2008 9:45 AM MDT
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If anything, Reeves was a major player in building the mystique of Elway.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 10:17 AM MDT
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Plus it was
Shannon Sharpes first ever TD catch
by broncfanstuckinsd on
Aug 27, 2008 11:26 AM MDT
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Good memory
I really couldn’t remember either game until I read the descriptions, then it clicked. I voted for the Cutler game, for the simple fact that I can’t stand it when people keep saying Leinart is better than Cutler, although looks like after this year those people will be quite.
Broncoman
by Broncoman on
Aug 27, 2008 9:54 AM MDT
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Funny how there are more Bronco fans than Cardinal fans in Phoenix
The funny thing I always remember is how when the Broncos play the Cardinals in Phoenix, that the stadium is filled up with Bronco fans (same thing happens when Dallas plays there). It always makes me happy to see how Denver is such a regional team.
Broncoman
by Broncoman on
Aug 27, 2008 9:57 AM MDT
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The one NFL game I have been too was in 1998- Denver @ San Diego....
The entire stadium was a sea of orange. Good times. Elway threw 5 INTs that game, but we still won 31-16. lol I think San Diego went 1-15 that year.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 10:18 AM MDT
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Plus
the Chargers QB was Craig Weilihan. Ryan Leaf was benched by that game
by broncfanstuckinsd on
Aug 27, 2008 11:25 AM MDT
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Remember that Denver was the only NFL team...
…between the west Coast and a line from Texas through eastern Missouri and up to Minnesota. There were a lot of people from the surrounding states that supported the Broncos.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on
Aug 27, 2008 1:10 PM MDT
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and they still do!
fader nation is a conquered nation
The creator of the following names:
conquered fader nation
Phyllis and his merry men
by mdierk on
Aug 27, 2008 1:31 PM MDT
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We're taking over California too...
slowly…
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 1:41 PM MDT
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I will say opening day 1977
The Broncos beat the high flying Cards 7-0. Don coryell was the coach of the Cards and the Broncos shut down the Air Coryell Cards. This was a cards team that was 10-4 in 1976 and had the #3 offense that season. And #8 in scoring. After that game Coryell was the first coach or NFL person to say that the 77 Broncos were not good, but damn good.
by broncfanstuckinsd on
Aug 27, 2008 11:24 AM MDT
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I was not born yet, so on paper the game looked uninteresting. Thank you for that unique perspective!
I had no idea the Cards were any good back then. lol
I wonder why the 1991 game is gettin’ no love in the polls. Perhaps because we should have blown them out and we had to struggle to beat them. Not very impressive I suppose. I still love every one of Elway’s comebacks(except the 17-17 tie with Green Bay, that shouldn’t even count as a comeback IMHO). 1991 was one of my favorite pre-1997 seasons. That team should have gone 7-9 or 8-8, but Elway was the main reason it finished 12-4 that year. Treadwell blew it in the AFC Championship game after being a hero for drilling the game winning kick at the end of “The Drive II” the week before. I remember that snap was horrible, Kubiak did a great job getting a handle on it and Treadwell did well booting it through the uprights. Then he comes out and lays a big fat goose egg the following week, missing 3 field goals and blowing a shot at going to the Super Bowl.
I’m blabbering…my bad. lol
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 11:30 AM MDT
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I remember the game
I guess I dont consider it a good or memorable game is becuz as usual during the Reeves years Denver played down to the opponent. Denver should have blown them out like they did in 1989 (37-0) But the lack of focus and the need to win to hold off the Oilers for the first round bye eventually made this game so very important. I am with you I love all his comebacks this should have never been one. But it became one. I think this was a good team in 91. The had wins in KC (defending West chumps) and the played Bronco football which was typical of the Reeves era. Plus they were just a year removed from playing in the Super Bowl.
by broncfanstuckinsd on
Aug 27, 2008 11:39 AM MDT
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btw also,
The Oilers blew out the Broncos earlier in the season. Like big time…can’t remember the score but it was early in the season and the Broncos we not even competitive.
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 12:31 PM MDT
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game was 42-0
fader nation is a conquered nation
The creator of the following names:
conquered fader nation
Phyllis and his merry men
by mdierk on
Aug 27, 2008 12:51 PM MDT
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Ya. Something ridiculous, so it wasn't like we were that much better than the Oilers
going into that AFC Divisional playoff game… ;)
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 12:58 PM MDT
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That
Oiler game was the last one I had to endure thru when I was in Japan. I got back in for the KC/Denver game. The game when Elway thru the ball from his 15 on the right sideline and threw the ball to Mark Jackson to the KC 19 on the left sideline. 66 yards across the field. AMAZING. Plus denver won 19-16
by broncfanstuckinsd on
Aug 27, 2008 12:58 PM MDT
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I remember that pass.
It was an awesome spectacle!
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on
Aug 27, 2008 1:14 PM MDT
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Single plays
To this day I only think 3 or 4 guys could make ever make that pass and he led Jackson.
by broncfanstuckinsd on
Aug 27, 2008 1:39 PM MDT
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Makes you believe there is a God.
If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!
by Trinidad Jack on
Aug 27, 2008 1:53 PM MDT
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I remember it too.
Not human.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by hoosierteacher on
Aug 30, 2008 8:59 AM MDT
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BTW
I do enjoy these. Are you gonna do this for the regular season also?
by broncfanstuckinsd on
Aug 27, 2008 11:40 AM MDT
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Yes sir...the ones I've done thus far were sort of vanilla.
I’ve just played around with different formats and ideas. If you have any suggestions to make it better let me know and I will try to incorporate some. This week was hard because of the boringness of the so-called rivalry between these two clubs.
Though next week will be even harder since I’ll have over hundred matchups to choose from. I will only be selecting @Oakland games though so that should make it somewhat easier…
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 12:33 PM MDT
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wow
there are so many fader games to choose from. Where to start.. . ..
by broncfanstuckinsd on
Aug 27, 2008 12:39 PM MDT
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I remember the game in 1991, yet
I chose the 2006 matchup because that was the game that showed the arm Cutler has. It was his first victory in the NFL as well as the first win over the other QBs drafted in ’06.
by weazel on
Aug 27, 2008 4:15 PM MDT
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Yea, I am starting to think that would have been more fun to rehash.
It was more exciting for the fans because of the level of uncertainty about Cutler and his future with the team. Still, I can’t help but bring up Elway every chance I get…I’ll have to temper that in the future. lmao
If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08
I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08
by Zappa on
Aug 27, 2008 4:22 PM MDT
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I know why you want to bring up Elway
beause I will never get bored of an Elway comeback. Those last two minutes were fun to watch.
by weazel on
Aug 27, 2008 9:41 PM MDT
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