The 1980 Denver Broncos Season
An analytical deep dive into the Broncos' performance, roster, and key moments of the 1980 NFL campaign.
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Season Overview
Final Standings
The 1980 Denver Broncos concluded their season with a record of 8 wins and 8 losses. This placed them fourth in the competitive AFC West division, failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
Coaching and Management
Under the guidance of fourth-year Head Coach Red Miller, the team faced significant changes. Following the season, ownership transitioned in February 1981, leading to subsequent front office adjustments in March of the same year, marking the end of Miller's tenure.
Home Field Advantage
The Broncos played their home games at the iconic Mile High Stadium, a venue known for its high altitude and passionate fanbase, which often provided a distinct advantage.
Offseason Developments
NFL Draft Selections
The Broncos participated in the 1980 NFL Draft, selecting key players to bolster their roster. Notable picks included:
- Rulon Jones (Defensive End, Utah State) - Made at least one Pro Bowl.
- Keith Bishop (Guard, Baylor) - Made at least one Pro Bowl.
Other selections aimed to strengthen various positions across the team.
Key Personnel
Front Office
- Chairman of the Board: Gerald Phipps
- President: Allan Phipps
- Vice President/General Manager: Fred Gehrke
- Director of Player Personnel: Carroll Hardy
- Director of Pro Personnel: John Beake
Coaching Staff
- Head Coach: Red Miller
- Offensive Coordinator: Rod Dowhower
- Offensive Backfield: Paul Roach
- Wide Receivers: Fran Polsfoot
- Offensive Line: Whitey Dovell
- Defensive Coordinator: Joe Collier
- Defensive Line: Stan Jones
- Linebackers: Bob Zeman
- Defensive Backs: Richie McCabe
- Special Teams: Marv Braden
Team Roster
Quarterbacks
- 16 Jeff Knapple
- 7 Craig Morton
- 17 Matt Robinson
Running Backs
- 30 Jim Jensen
- 32 Jon Keyworth
- 41 Rob Lytle
- 46 Dave Preston
Wide Receivers
- 82 Larry Brunson
- 86 Emery Moorehead
- 25 Haven Moses
- 80 Rick Upchurch
- 81 Steve Watson
Tight Ends
- 85 Ron Egloff
- 88 Riley Odoms
- 87 James Wright
Offensive Linemen
- 54 Keith Bishop (G/C)
- 64 Billy Bryan (C)
- 73 Kelvin Clark (T)
- 62 Tom Glassic (G)
- 65 Glenn Hyde (G)
- 60 Paul Howard (G)
- 71 Claudie Minor (T)
- 70 Dave Studdard (T)
- 61 Arland Thompson (G)
Defensive Linemen
- 77 Greg Boyd (DE)
- 68 Rubin Carter (NT)
- 79 Barney Chavous (DE)
- 75 Rulon Jones (DE)
- 72 Don Latimer (NT)
- 66 Brison Manor (DE)
- 63 Laval Short (NT)
Linebackers
- 52 Greg Bracelin (OLB)
- 56 Larry Evans (ILB)
- 53 Randy Gradishar (ILB)
- 57 Tom Jackson (OLB)
- 58 Rob Nairne (OLB)
- 50 Jim Ryan (ILB)
Defensive Backs
- 43 Steve Foley (FS/CB)
- 31 Mike Harden (SS)
- 27 Maurice Harvey (FS)
- 22 Aaron Kyle (CB)
- 36 Bill Thompson (SS)
- 20 Louis Wright (CB)
Special Teams
- 11 Luke Prestridge (P)
- 19 Fred Steinfort (K)
Reserve / Injured
- 24 Otis Armstrong (RB)
- 35 Larry Canada (RB)
- -- Tom Davis (C)
- -- John Havekost (G)
- -- Rick Parros (RB)
- 83 Golden Richards (WR)
- 59 Joe Rizzo (LB)
- 45 Perry Smith (CB)
- 51 Bob Swenson (LB)
Players in italics were rookies.
Preseason Performance
Preseason Schedule
The Broncos began their 1980 campaign with a preseason schedule designed to prepare the team for the upcoming regular season. Key matchups included:
- August 9 vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Won 17-6
- August 16 at New York Giants: Lost 6-9
- August 23 vs. Los Angeles Rams: Lost 13-26
- August 30 at Green Bay Packers: Won 38-0
The team finished the preseason with a 2-2 record.
Regular Season Schedule
Matchups and Outcomes
The Denver Broncos navigated a challenging 1980 regular season schedule. Here is a summary of their weekly matchups:
Game Highlights
Week 1 vs. Eagles
The season commenced with an away game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite a competitive first half, the Broncos struggled offensively, ultimately falling 6-27.
Week 2 vs. Cowboys
Returning home, the Broncos secured a decisive victory over the Dallas Cowboys with a commanding performance, winning 41-20. This marked a significant turnaround from the previous week.
Week 3 vs. Chargers
The Broncos hosted the San Diego Chargers in a divisional matchup. Despite a strong effort, they succumbed to the Chargers' offense, losing 13-30.
Week 4 at Patriots
Facing the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football, the Broncos were unable to secure a victory, losing 14-23 in a closely contested game.
Week 5 at Browns
In a tight contest against the Cleveland Browns, the Broncos emerged victorious with a narrow 19-16 win, thanks to clutch kicking from Fred Steinfort.
Week 6 vs. Redskins
On Monday Night Football, the Broncos hosted the Washington Redskins and secured a dramatic comeback victory, winning 20-17.
Week 7 vs. Chiefs
The Broncos faced the Kansas City Chiefs at home but were unable to maintain their momentum, losing 17-23.
Week 8 at Giants
In a defensive struggle, the Broncos traveled to face the New York Giants and emerged victorious with a 14-9 win.
Week 9 vs. Oilers
The Houston Oilers visited Denver, and in a close game, the Broncos fell short, losing 16-20.
Week 10 at Chargers
The Broncos traveled to San Diego and secured a crucial road victory against the Chargers, winning 20-13.
Week 11 vs. Jets
Hosting the New York Jets, the Broncos delivered a strong offensive performance to win 31-24.
Week 12 vs. Seahawks
The Broncos continued their winning streak at home against the Seattle Seahawks, securing a convincing 36-20 victory.
Week 13 at Raiders
A critical divisional road game against the Oakland Raiders resulted in a tough 3-9 loss for the Broncos.
Week 14 at Chiefs
The Broncos traveled to Kansas City to face the Chiefs, suffering a significant 14-31 defeat.
Week 15 vs. Raiders
In a crucial home game against the Oakland Raiders, the Broncos narrowly lost 21-24 in a game that could have significantly impacted playoff hopes.
Week 16 at Seahawks
Concluding the season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks, the Broncos secured a 25-17 victory.
Draft Class Analysis
Impact Players
The 1980 draft class aimed to inject new talent into the Broncos roster. Key contributors emerged, notably:
- Rulon Jones: A standout defensive end who earned Pro Bowl honors during his career, providing consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
- Keith Bishop: An accomplished guard who also achieved Pro Bowl status, anchoring the offensive line.
These selections represented strategic investments in strengthening the team's core positions for future success.
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References
References
- The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles รขยย September 7, 1980
- The Football Database; Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos รขยย September 14, 1980
- The Football Database; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos รขยย September 21, 1980
- The Football Database; Denver Broncos at New England Patriots รขยย September 29, 1980
- The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns รขยย October 5, 1980
- The Football Database; Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos รขยย October 13, 1980
- The Football Database; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos รขยย October 19, 1980
- The Football Database; Denver Broncos at New York Giants รขยย October 26, 1980
- The Football Database; Houston Oilers at Denver Broncos รขยย November 2, 1980
- The Football Database; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers รขยย November 9, 1980
- The Football Database; New York Jets at Denver Broncos รขยย November 16, 1980
- The Football Database; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos รขยย November 23, 1980
- The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders รขยย December 1, 1980
- The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs รขยย December 7, 1980
- The Football Database; Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos รขยย December 14, 1980
- The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks รขยย December 21, 1980
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Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI model for educational and analytical purposes, drawing upon data from Wikipedia. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, this presentation may not capture every nuance or be entirely free from interpretation.
This is not official sports commentary or analysis. The information provided is intended for academic study and personal enrichment. Always consult official NFL records and reputable sports historians for definitive information. The creators of this page are not affiliated with the Denver Broncos or the NFL.
The creators assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information presented herein.