1991 Denver Broncos season
| 1991 Denver Broncos season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Dan Reeves |
| General manager | John Beake |
| Owner | Pat Bowlen |
| Home field | Mile High Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 12–4 |
| Division place | 1st AFC West |
| Playoff finish |
Won AFC Divisional Playoff (Oilers) 26–24 Lost AFC Championship Game (Bills) 7–10 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scoring summary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PIT | Gary Anderson 26-yard field goal | Steelers 3–0 | |
| 2 | PIT | Eric Green 23-yard pass from Neil O'Donnell (Gary Anderson kick) | Steelers 10–0 | |
| 2 | DEN | Greg Lewis 1-yard run (David Treadwell kick) | Steelers 10–7 | |
| 2 | DEN | John Elway 4-yard run (David Treadwell kick) | Broncos 14–10 | |
| 2 | DEN | David Treadwell 28-yard field goal | Broncos 17–10 | |
| 3 | DEN | David Treadwell 21-yard field goal | Broncos 20–10 | |
| 4 | PIT | Gary Anderson 39-yard field goal | Broncos 20–13 | |
The 1991 Denver Broncos season was the team's 32nd year in professional football and its 22nd with the National Football League (NFL). The team improved on its 5–11 from 1990, winning their third AFC West title in five years, and advanced to the AFC Championship game.
Buffalo relied on missed field goals by Denver and some key plays from their defense to narrowly defeat the Broncos in a tough defensive struggle. Although the first half was scoreless, the Broncos advanced into Buffalo territory on all five of their possessions in the first half. However, Denver kicker David Treadwell missed 3 field goals, hitting the goal posts twice and driving the other attempt wide right.
Late in the third quarter, the Broncos faced second down and 10 at their own 19-yard line. Quarterback John Elway threw a shovel pass intended for running back Steve Sewell, but it was tipped by Bills defensive lineman Jeff Wright into the arms of linebacker Carlton Bailey, who returned the ball 11 yards for Buffalo's only touchdown of the game. Elway was then knocked out of the game after suffering a deep thigh bruise, and was replaced by backup Gary Kubiak. With 4:18 left in the game, Buffalo kicker Scott Norwood made a 44-yard field goal to increase the lead, 10–0. Kubiak, who was playing in his last NFL game before retiring, led the Broncos 85 yards in eight plays and scored a 3-yard touchdown run with 1:43 left. Denver then recovered the ensuing onside kick, but the Bills clinched the victory after defensive back Kirby Jackson forced and recovered a fumble from running back Steve Sewell.
Broncos receiver Vance Johnson finished the game with 8 receptions for 104 yards. Kubiak completed 11 of 12 passes for 136 yards and rushed for 22.
Scoring
BUF – Bailey 11 interception return (Norwood kick) BUF 7–0
BUF – field goal Norwood 44 BUF 10–0
DEN – Kubiak 3 run (Treadwell kick) BUF 10–7
...
Wikipedia