Reliving the game-changing play in each of the Broncos' Super Bowl appearances

The Denver Broncos have a long and storied history in the Super Bowl. Only the New England Patriots, who will make their 12th Super Bowl appearance on Sunday, have been there more. 

The Broncos are 3-5 in the Super Bowl and there have been plenty of memories — both good and bad — for Broncos Country to digest. With Super Bowl LX nearly upon us, Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports took a look back at the previous 59 Super Bowl games and came up with one game-changing play in each of those games. 

From the eight Super Bowls the Broncos have played in, here are those plays. 

Broncos' Super Bowl history is a mixed bag

Super Bowl XII: Cowboys 27, Broncos 10
January 15, 1978

"The Broncos had a faint pulse after making it a 20-10 game entering the fourth quarter. But the Cowboys' "Doomsday" defense snuffed out any thoughts in Denver of a comeback when Aaron Kyle recovered Norris Weese's fumble midway through the fourth quarter. The Cowboys put the game away on the very next play when running back Robert Newhouse threw a perfect pass to Golden Richards for a 29-yard score", wrote DeArdo. 

The Broncos were overmatched in their first Super Bowl appearance but they hung with the Cowboys until the fourth quarter, where Weese's fumble led to the final nail in the coffin. This was still a great season for the Broncos, one that started a path of succession for the team to reach the heights that it did. 

Super Bowl XXI: Giants 39, Broncos 20
January 25, 1987

"Trailing 10-9 at halftime, the Giants successfully converted a quarterback sneak by backup quarterback Jeff Rutledge on fourth-and-1 on the first drive of the second half. New York capped off the drive on Phil Simms' touchdown pass to Mark Bavaro, and the Giants would never trail again", said DeArdo. 

Many people forget that, despite how out of hand this game got, the Broncos did lead at halftime. Though the play described by DeArdo did seem to help unlock the Giants' offense, Phil Simms had the kind of performance that day that would have beaten anyone. 

Super Bowl XXII: Washington 42, Broncos 10
January 31, 1988

"The Broncos led 10-0 before Washington scored two quick touchdowns to start the second quarter. A 21-yard run by John Elway gave the Broncos a chance to halt Washington's momentum, but they failed to do so after Rich Karlis missed a 43-yard field goal attempt. Timmy Smith gave Washington a 21-10 lead moments later on a 58-yard touchdown run. Washington went on to score a Super Bowl record 35 second-quarter points", wrote DeArdo. 

It's hard to pinpoint a turning point play in this game, as it was just a second-half avalanche for Washington that completely sunk Denver. The 35 points they scored in the second quarter will likely never be seen in the Super Bowl again.

Super Bowl XXIV: 49ers 55, Broncos 10
January 28, 1990

"Believe it or not, this game was somewhat close for the first 15 minutes. The 49ers began to pull away at the end of the first quarter, when Tom Rathman picked up four yards on a fourth-and-1 play from Denver's 35-yard-line. The 49ers capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Montana to Brent Jones that put the 49ers ahead 13-3", said DeArdo. 

The 1989 San Francisco 49ers might be the best team in NFL history. That season, they were close to unstoppable and on this January day, they were beyond unstoppable. Though that fourth-down run by Tom Rathman was a momentous play, the Broncos were never going to win this game. 

Super Bowl XXXII: Broncos 31, Packers 24
January 25, 1998 

"Facing a third-and-6 on the Packers' 12-yard line, John Elway's "helicopter" run gained eight yards while setting up Terrell Davis' go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter. The run dramatically shifted the game's momentum in Denver's favor, as the Broncos went on to upset the defending champion Packers. In the process, the Broncos snapped the NFC's 13-year winning streak in the big game", wrote DeArdo. 

The moment you read the headline of this article, you had to know you would find this play on here. John Elway's most famous play and arguably the biggest play in Broncos history, this was the play that directly led to the Broncos winning the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. Try to watch it without getting chills. 

Super Bowl XXXIII: Broncos 34, Falcons 19
January 31, 1999

"The Falcons failed to capitalize on their early scoring opportunities, and the Broncos made them pay for it. One play after Morten Anderson missed a 26-yard field goal attempt, John Elway hit Rod Smith for an 80-yard touchdown that gave Denver a 17-3 lead with five minutes left in the first half. The Falcons also came up short on a fourth-and-2 rushing attempt by Jamal Anderson after the Falcons' defense picked off Elway earlier in the half", said DeArdo.

The Broncos were the best team in the NFL in 1998 and they confirmed that by winning their second Super Bowl in a row. However, the Atlanta Falcons gave them as much of a game as they could and had Morten Anderson, perhaps the best kicker in NFL history, not miss a chip shot, which led to the biggest play in this game happening on the very next play,  the Broncos likely would have been in a dogfight down the stretch. 

Super Bowl XLVIII: Seahawks 43, Broncos 8
February 2, 2014

"There was some belief that Peyton Manning and the Broncos' powerful offense could overcome their 22-point halftime deficit. Those thoughts, however, went out the window when Percy Harvin took the second half kickoff 87 yards to pay dirt to give Seattle a 29-0 lead. The lead swelled to 43-0 before Manning and the Broncos finally found the end zone", wrote DeArdo. 

This is spot on, though many Broncos fans will tell you to this day that the game was over on the first offensive snap when Manny Ramirez snapped the ball over Peyton Manning's head in the end zone, leading to a safety. Still, the 2013 Broncos had one of the best offenses in NFL history and even a 22-point deficit seemed reachable. Percy Harvin drowned those thoughts to kick off the second half, leaving Broncos Country in a state of shock. 

Super Bowl 50: Broncos 24, Panthers 10
February 7, 2016

"Malik Jackson's recovery of Von Miller's forced fumble summed up the Broncos' defensive dominance in Super Bowl 50. The score, which took place with 6:34 left in the first half, gave the Broncos a 10-0 lead over the favored Panthers. The Broncos never trailed while sealing the win following Miller's second forced fumble of Cam Newton with 4:16 left", said DeArdo. 

MORE: Inside look at Broncos' options in free agency to improve running back position

These are the two biggest plays of this game and it was really the second one that was more of a turning point. Though the Broncos' defense was completely dominant in Super Bowl 50, the Panthers still had life with just over four minutes to play and down 16-10. But Von Miller rushed in and stripped Cam Newton of the ball, which was recovered by T.J. Ward inside the Panthers' 10-yard line. 

More Broncos Content

Broncos urged to take a look at projected $31.5 million linebacker in free agency

Broncos should consider moving first-round pick as part of this blockbuster trade

Broncos predicted to be among 3 AFC West teams interested in Tyreek Hill trade

Broncos projected to steal from main rival in free agency to upgrade secondary

Rising AFC team seen as best free agency fit for Broncos' star defensive lineman