Broncos and Patriots, 1987

[fishwax]

Denver hadn't won a playoff game in the several years since their old quarterback took them to the Super Bowl.

The Patriots were coming off a trip to the Super Bowl year, but were still worried about not getting enough "respect."

They met in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs at Mile High, with the winner to go on the road for the Conference Championship Game. Denver won, of course, and the next week beat the Browns in one of the best games in NFL history (The Drive).

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.php?id=334&storyID=4795

[Dave Sund]

1. I won't ever attempt

To compare Plummer to Elway. There's no comparison in terms of talent or drive. Plummer is a good QB and has grown on me this year, but through almost ten years in the league, he's been a mediocre performer.

I will point out though that the only reason the Broncos haven't won a playoff game since 1999 is because they haven't played a home game since. Plummer, of course, wasn't at fault in either of the losses against the Colts. He doesn't play defense. The first loss to the Colts resulted in the Bailey/Bell for Portis trade, which worked out pretty well for the Broncos. The second loss resulted in a heavy focus on defense during the offseason. Now it seems like the only significant weakness in the Broncos defense is a pass rushing end, which, win or lose, will be one of the first areas of concern this offseason.

[fishwax]

2. I wouldn't ever compare them, either ...

but I did find it interesting that it had been so long since these two last met in the playoffs.

And I agree that the lack of a home game is a big reason why they haven't won since Elway left. They also haven't been a very good team most of those years. They've either backed or limped into the playoffs, and certainly never been as well-rounded as they are this year. I'm a little nervouse about this weekend's game, just b/c it's been so long since I've seen playoff success, but I really do think they've got a great chance of beating the Pats and then Indy. Here's hoping, anyway :)