The Denver Broncos are one step away from a trip to the Super Bowl, and it looks awfully familiar.
The last time the Broncos reached the Super Bowl was in February 2016, 10 years ago. They went on to win Super Bowl 50 that season to claim their third Lombardi Trophy. But that season was not an easy one to get through for the Broncos. They overcame many odds to reach the finish line. This season is shaping up to be much the same way.
There are several similarities between this Broncos team and that one.
Denver Broncos Super Bowl 50/Super Bowl LX similarities
Broncos are led by their defense
In 2015, the Broncos had one of the best defenses in recent memory. Von Miller became just the tenth (and most recent) defensive player to be named the Super Bowl MVP. That year's Broncos also had the "No Fly Zone" secondary.
This year's defense overall is not as good as that one, but it is the strength of the team. The Broncos also have a great secondary, led by reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II along with Talanoa Hufanga, Brandon Jones (who was placed on injured reserve) and Riley Moss.
Backup QB
Though the 2015 Broncos did not have to start a backup quarterback for the first time that season in the conference championship game, that team never gets close to the Super Bowl without the work done by Brock Osweiler.
Osweiler came in for the ailing Peyton Manning and helped the Broncos secure the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Manning was put back in during the season finale against the Chargers, but Osweiler should get a ton of credit for the team winning it all that year.
No. 1 seed that was doubted
The Broncos did earn the No. 1 seed that season, but because they limped to the finish line with Manning, who was well beyond his prime, they were given little chance to reach their end goal.
This year's Broncos have been doubted throughout the media all season. They have regularly been called "frauds" and the "worst No. 1 seed in history", yet they just keep winning.
AFC Championship Game
That year, the Broncos faced the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, just as they will this year. That Patriots team featured Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, but the Broncos were able to overcome them and head to the Super Bowl.
Had that game been played in New England, it likely would have had a different outcome. Earlier that season on Sunday Night Football, the Broncos were able to beat the Patriots in overtime in a snowstorm with this walkoff touchdown run by C.J. Anderson. Osweiler was the quarterback that night.
Without that win, the Broncos have to travel to Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots were nearly unbeatable in the playoffs. Without that regular-season victory, the Broncos may never have reached Super Bowl 50.
Santa Clara
If that's not enough, this year's Super Bowl will be played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the same site as Super Bowl 50. There has not been a Super Bowl held in that stadium since the Broncos won it a decade ago.
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This year's Broncos team looks a lot like that Broncos team. And if they reach the Super Bowl, they will likely find themselves as a big underdog against either the Seattle Seahawks or Los Angeles Rams, the same way they were back then against the Carolina Panthers.
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