The Denver Broncos upset the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII on Sunday, Jan. 25, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California, marking the first championship victory in franchise history.
After previously losing four Super Bowls in the 1970s-1980s, the Broncos were considered big 11-point underdogs against the Packers.
Led by a productive rushing attack and opportunistic defense, Denver overcame those odds to pull off an upset win.
The Broncos’ offense was carried by running back Terrell Davis, who rushed 30 times for 157 yards and three touchdowns in the win, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. Davis would later go on to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 after retiring from the NFL in 2002.
On defense, Denver forced three turnovers (two fumbles and an interception) to help slow down a high-powered Green Bay offense.
Five members of the Broncos’ starting lineup that day — Davis, quarterback John Elway, tight end Shannon Sharpe, left tackle Gary Zimmerman and safety Steve Atwater — are now in the Hall of Fame.
After securing their first Super Bowl victory in 1998, Denver went on to win again in 1999 before winning a third title in 2016.
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