As we enter into the Divisional Round of the 2013 NFL Playoffs, I thought it would be a good time to post the franchise records during the playoffs for the Broncos. I believe a few of them will be broken (or extended in some cases). Since Denver is a 9 point favorite at the present time, I’m going to predict that at least 3 franchise marks will be set during Saturday’s game against the Ravens. Here are the three most likely in my opinion. Most Sacks in a Game (by a Bronco player), the highest Average per Punt Return and the longest Field Goal. Read on to find out where they stand.
BRONCOS POSTSEASON FRANCHISE MARKS
OFFENSE
MOST RUSHES
Career
- 204 - Terrell Davis, 1995-2002
- 144 - Sammy Winder, 1982-90
- 94 - John Elway, 1983-98
- 43 - Mike Anderson, 2000-05
- 38 - Bobby Humphrey, 1989-91, Otis Armstrong, 1973-80
-
36 - Willis McGahee, 2011, Gaston Green, 1991-92
Game
- 32 - Terrell Davis, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99
MOST RUSHING YARDS
Career
- 1,140 - Terrell Davis, 1995-2002
- 461 - John Elway, 1983-98, Sammy Winder, 1982-90
- 169 - Bobby Humphrey, 1989-91
- 152 - Derek Loville, 1997-99
- 145 - Mike Anderson, 2000-05
- 141 - Otis Armstrong, 1973-80
- 138 - Gene Lang, 1984-87
- 137 - Willis McGahee, 2011
Willis McGahee won’t play until next week, but he should move up this list, perhaps even to the 4th spot.
Game
199 - Terrell Davis, vs. Miami, 1/9/99
This mark seems pretty safe in this year’s playoffs. However, if such an event occurs, it will be safe to say the Broncos have accomplished their team goal for this season.
LONGEST RUN FROM SCRIMMAGE
- 62 - Terrell Davis, vs. Miami, 1/9/99
Much as I love TD, breaking this record would make me a happy camper.
MOST PASS ATTEMPTS
Game
- 47 - John Elway, at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
I hope Peyton Manning doesn’t need to throw the ball this much. However, the NFL is a passing league and he has the means to accomplish it. Peyton has had attempted at least 40 passes in 5 games this season, with a high of 52 (Week 3 vs. Houston).
MOST COMPLETIONS
Game
- 29 - John Elway, at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
- 25 - Elway, vs. Jacksonville, 1/4/97
- 24 - Jake Plummer, at Indianapolis, 1/9/05
Manning has completed at least 30 passes in 3 games this season. This record may be broken very soon.
MOST PASSING YARDS
Game
- 385 - John Elway, vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90
- 336 - Elway, vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99
- 316 - Tim Tebow, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12
- 304 - Elway, vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
Peyton Manning has nine 300+ yard passing games in 2012. His highest mark was a 339 yard day in Week 16’s contest with the Cleveland Browns. He has passed for 300+ yards during postseason play 8 times, 350+ yards 4 times and 400+ yards twice.
MOST TOUCHDOWN PASSES
Game
- 3 - John Elway, at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94, vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90, vs. Cleveland, 1/17/88
My guess is that Manning ties this mark. He accomplished this feat 9 times during the season. In postseason play, Peyton has four games with 3 Touchdown passes, one 4 TD performance and one with 5 TD's.
HIGHEST PASSER RATING
Career (min. 15 passes)
- 113.2 - Gary Kubiak, 1983-91 (19 att.)
Hard to say whether Kubes mark will be bested, but if anyone could do it, Peyton could.
Game (min. 12 passes)
- 125.6 - Tim Tebow, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12 (21 att.)
- 120.7 - John Elway, vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90 (36 att.)
What the? Okay, not going there.
LONGEST PASS PLAY
- 80t - Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12, John Elway to Rod Smith, vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99, John Elway to Mark Jackson, vs. Cleveland, 1/17/88
All 3 of these plays made Broncos Country scream like Banshees.
MOST RECEPTIONS
Game
- 13 - Shannon Sharpe, at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
- 11 - Steve Watson, vs. Pittsburgh, 12/30/84
This record is safe...For now.
MOST RECEIVING YARDS
Game
- 204 - Demaryius Thomas, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/11
- 177 - Watson, vs. Pittsburgh, 12/30/84
It’s hard to imagine Demaryius having a better game.
HIGHEST AVERAGE GAIN PER RECEPTION
Career (min. 5 receptions)
- 29.7 - Demaryius Thomas, 2010-11 (10-297)
- 24.2 - Haven Moses, 1972-81 (13-314)
Amazing stat.
Game (min. 4 receptions)
- 51.0 - D. Thomas, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12 (4-204)
- 33.6 - Moses, vs. Oakland, 1/1/78 (5-168)
Again. This is an amazing stat.
MOST RECEIVING TOUCHDOWNS
Career
- 6 - Rod Smith, 1995-2007
- 4 - Vance Johnson, 1985-93, ‘95
- 2 - Howard Griffith, Mark Jackson, Clarence Kay, Ed McCaffrey, Haven Moses, Ricky Nattiel, Shannon Sharpe and Sammy Winder.
- 1 - (14 players) last accomplished by Demaryius Thomas & Eddie Royal (vs. Pit., 1/8/12)
This mark will stand for a few more seasons, methinks.
Game
- 2 - Clarence Kay, vs. Houston, 1/10/88, Haven Moses, vs. Oakland, 1/1/78
Both Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas have multiple Touchdown catch games this year.
DEFENSE
MOST INTERCEPTIONS
Career
- 5 - Darrien Gordon, 1997-98
- 3 - Tyrone Braxton, 1987-93, ‘95-99, Bob Swenson, 1975-83
- 2 - Quinton Carter, 2011, 3 others
Quinton won’t get a chance to add to his total until next season.
Game
- 2 - Gordon, vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99, Gordon, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99, D. Smith, vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90, T. Jackson, vs. Pittsburgh, 12/24/77
Good company there. Darrien Gordon doing it twice in one postseason is remarkable.
MOST YARDS ON INTERCEPTION RETURNS
Career
- 156 - Darrien Gordon, 1997-98
- 100 - Champ Bailey, 2004-09
- 76 - Darrius Johnson, 1996-9957 Mark Haynes, 1986-89
- 49 - Tom Jackson, 1973-86
- 26 - Quinton Carter, 2011, Jim Ryan, 1979-88
Champ Bailey could claim this. If not this year, next?
Game
- 108 - Gordon, vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99
- 100 Bailey, vs. New England, 1/14/06
Like M.C. Hammer says, "Can’t touch this."
LONGEST INTERCEPTION RETURN
- 100 Champ Bailey, vs. New England, 1/14/06
MOST SACKS
Career
- 6 - Simon Fletcher, 1985-95, Rulon Jones, 1980-88
- 3 - Neil Smith, 1997-99, Rubin Carter, 1975-86
- 2 - Robert Ayers, 2009-11, Maa Tanuvasa, 1995-2000, Alfred Williams, 1996-99, Karl Mecklenburg, 1983-94, Jim Ryan, 1979-88, Lyle Alzado, 1971-78
This record won’t stand much longer. I expect some new faces on this list by Saturday evening.
Game
- 2 - Robert Ayers, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12 (Six others)
Von Miller? Elvis Dumervil? Anyone? Anyone?
SPECIAL TEAMS
MOST PUNTS
Career
- 46 - Mike Horan, 1986-2002
- 45 - Tom Rouen, 1993-2002
- 19 - Bucky Dilts, 1977-78
- 11 - Britton Colquitt, 2010-11
Mr. Colquitt will have plenty of time to slowly creep up this list.
Game
- 9 - Rouen, at Baltimore, 12/31/00
- 7 - Colquitt, at New England, 1/14/12, Rouen, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99, Horan, vs. Washington, 1/31/88
Britton. Trust me, you don’t want this record.
HIGHEST AVERAGE PER PUNT
Career (min. 10 punts)
- 45.7 - Luke Prestridge, 1979-83 (10-457)
- 42.13 - Mike Horan, 1986-2002 (46-1,938)
- 39.64 - Britton Colquitt, 2010-11 (11-436)
Game (min. 4 punts)
- 49.0 - Horan, vs. New England, 1/4/87 (5-245)
LONGEST PUNT
- 76 - Mike Horan, at Buffalo, 1/12/92
MOST PUNT RETURNS
Career
- 13 - Vance Johnson, 1985-93, ‘95
Game
- 5 - Darrien Gordon, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99
- 4 - V. Johnson, vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90
With the way the Broncos Defense is playing, it is entirely possible that this record gets broken.
MOST YARDS ON PUNT RETURNS
Career
- 162 - Darrien Gordon, 1997-98
- 115 - Vance Johnson, 1985-93, ‘95
- 92 Rick Upchurch, 1975-83
Game
- 79 - Gordon, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99
- 38 - Glyn Milburn, at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
Trindon Holliday could own both of these records very soon.
HIGHEST AVERAGE PER RETURN
Career (min. 2 returns)
- 14.7 - Darrien Gordon, 1997-98 (11-162)
- 12.7 - Glyn Milburn, 1993-95 (3-38)
- 9.0 - Eddie Royal, 2008-11 (3-27)
- 9.2 - Rick Upchurch, 1975-83 (10-92)
Game (min. 2 returns)
- 15.8 - Gordon, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99 (5-79)
- 15.0 - Upchurch, at Pittsburgh, 12/30/78 (2-30)
- 12.7 Milburn, at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94 (3-38)
Another pair of marks waiting to be broken.
LONGEST PUNT RETURN
- 36 - Darrien Gordon, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99, Darrien Gordon, at Kansas City, 1/4/98
- 22 - Rick Upchurch, at Pittsburgh, 12/30/78
MOST PUNT OR KICK RETURN TOUCHDOWNS
Career
None
Game
None
Trindon Holliday and Omar Bolden. Time to step up your game.
MOST YARDS ON KICKOFF RETURNS
Career
- 460 - Vaughn Hebron, 1996-98
Game
- 146 - Darren Carrington, vs. San Francisco, 1/28/90
HIGHEST AVERAGE PER KICKOFF RETURN
Career (min. 3 returns)
- 27.25 - John Schultz, 1976-78 (4-109)
- 24.63 - Darren Carrington, 1989 (8-197)
- 23.63 - Charlie Adams, 2003-05 (8-189)
Game (min. 2 returns)
- 31.33 - Rick Upchurch, vs. Dallas, 1/15/78 (3-94)
- 31.00 - Ken Bell, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/7/90 (2-62), Schultz, vs. Dallas, 1/15/78 (2-62)
LONGEST KICKOFF RETURN
- 67 - Rick Upchurch, vs. Dallas, 1/15/78
- 51 - Vaughn Hebron, vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97
MOST PAT ATTEMPTS
Career
- 40 - Jason Elam, 1993-2007
- 19 - Rich Karlis, 1982-88
- 12 - David Treadwell, 1989-92
- 9 - Jim Turner, 1971-79
- 3 - Matt Prater, 2008-11
Game
- 6 - Elam, vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97
MOST PATS MADE
Career
- 39 - Jason Elam, 1993-2007
- 19 - Rich Karlis, 1982-88
- 11 - David Treadwell, 1989-92
- 9 - Jim Turner, 1971-79
- 3 - Matt Prater, 2008-11
Game
- 6 - Elam, vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97
HIGHEST PAT PERCENTAGE
Career
- 1.000 - Matt Prater, 2008-11 (3/3), Rich Karlis, 1982-88 (19/19), Jim Turner, 1971-79 (9/9)
- .975 - Jason Elam, 1993-2007 (39/40)
MOST FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED
Career
- 18 - Jason Elam, 1993-2007, Rich Karlis, 1982-88
- 11 - David Treadwell, 1989-92
- 8 - Jim Turner, 1971-79
- 4 - Matt Prater, 2008-11
Game
- 4 - Elam, vs. Atlanta, 1/31/99, Treadwell, vs. Cleveland, 1/28/90, Karlis, vs. N.Y. Giants, 1/25/87
- 3 - Prater, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12
MOST FIELD GOALS MADE
Career
- 15 - Jason Elam, 1993-2007
- 12 - Rich Karlis, 1982-88
- 7 - David Treadwell, 1989-92
- 4 - Matt Prater, 2008-11, Jim Turner, 1971-79
Game
- 3 - Prater, vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12, Elam, vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99, Treadwell, vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90, Karlis, at Cleveland, 1/11/87 (OT)
HIGHEST FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE
Career
- 1.000 - Matt Prater, 2008-11 (4-4)
- .833 - Jason Elam, 1993-2007 (15-18)
LONGEST FIELD GOAL
- 51 - Jason Elam, vs. Green Bay, 1/25/98
MOST TOUCHDOWNS SCORED
Game
- 3 - Terrell Davis, vs. Green Bay, 1/25/98
TEAM
MOST POINTS SCORED
- 42 vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97
MOST POINTS SCORED, ONE HALF
-
27 vs. Cleveland, 1/14/90 (2nd)
-
24 at Pittsburgh, 1/11/98 (1st)
MOST POINTS SCORED, ONE QUARTER
-
21 vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97 (4th)
-
20 vs. Pittsburgh, 1/8/12 (2nd), vs. N.Y. Jets, 1/17/99 (3rd)
-
14 vs. Miami, 1/9/99 (1st)
TOTAL OFFENSE
MOST TOTAL PLAYS
- 77 at Cleveland, 1/11/87 (OT)
MOST TOTAL YARDS
- 511 vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97 (310 rush/201 pass)
MOST RUSHING YARDS
- 310 vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97
HIGHEST AVERAGE GAIN PER RUSH (MIN. 10 RUSHES)
- 6.6 vs. Miami, 1/9/99 (38-250)
MOST RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
- 5 vs. Jacksonville, 12/27/97
MOST PASS ATTEMPTS
- 54 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
MOST COMPLETIONS
- 32 at L.A. Raiders, 1/9/94
Go Broncos!
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