2016 Denver Broncos season
Owner	The Pat Bowlen Trust
General manager	John Elway
Head coach	Gary Kubiak Joe DeCamillis (interim, Week 6)
Home stadium	Sports Authority Field at Mile High
Results
Record	9−7
Division place	3rdAFC West
Playoffs	Did not qualify
All-Pros	3 CBChris Harris Jr.(1st team) LBVon Miller(1st team) CBAqib Talib(1st team)
Pro Bowlers	6 CBChris Harris Jr. LBVon Miller WREmmanuel Sanders SDarian Stewart CBAqib Talib WRDemaryius Thomas
Uniform
← 2015 Broncos seasons 2017 →

The2016 season was theDenver Broncos' 47th in theNational Football League (NFL) and their 57th overall. This for first time since2011 thatPeyton Manning was not on the opening day roster. It was also their second and last season underhead coachGary Kubiak, as he retired at the end of the season due to health concerns.^[1]

The Broncos entered the season as defending champions ofSuper Bowl 50, after undergoing numerous roster changes as well as an off-season and preseason that was dominated by a quarterback controversy, following the retirement ofPeyton Manning. Following a 4–0 start, the team sputtered down the stretch, missing the playoffs for the first time since2010, as well as having their franchise-record streak of five consecutive playoff appearances and five consecutiveAFC West division titles snapped.^[2] In addition, the Broncos became the 12th consecutive team to fail to repeat as Super Bowl champions, as well as the first reigning champion to miss the playoffs since the2013 Baltimore Ravens. In terms of statistics, the Broncos' offense scored more than 30 pointsonly once and ranked 27th in total offense. Head coach Gary Kubiak abruptly resigned at the end of the season citing health reasons but would remain as a consultant for the Broncos before returning to coaching in 2019 as the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator for theMinnesota Vikings, where he spent 2 seasons before retiring from coaching following the 2020 season.

This was the Broncos' last winning season until2024.

• February 12:Brian Callahan, who had served as the Broncos' offensive quality control coach since2010, was hired as a quarterbacks coach with theDetroit Lions.^[3]
• February 16:Klint Kubiak, son of Broncos' head coach Gary Kubiak, was hired as the offensive quality control coach, replacing Brian Callahan. Klint Kubiak previously served as a coaching assistant with the Minnesota Vikings from 2013 to 2014, and was the wide receivers coach for theUniversity of Kansas in 2015.^[4]

On October 9, shortly after the Broncos' Week 5 loss to theAtlanta Falcons, head coach Gary Kubiak was taken to aDenver-area hospital, after experiencing flu-like symptoms and extreme body fatigue. According to executive vice president/general managerJohn Elway, Kubiak had been feeling ill prior to the loss to the Falcons, and following a precautionary MRI and CT scan, Kubiak was diagnosed with a "complex migraine." Special teams coordinatorJoe DeCamillis served as the team's interim head coach for the team's Week 6Thursday Night loss at theSan Diego Chargers, while Kubiak underwent a doctor-mandated week of rest. This was the second time in three years in which Kubiak experienced a health scare; in November 2013, while serving as theHouston Texans' head coach, Kubiak suffered a mini-stroke after collapsing on the field during a game against theIndianapolis Colts.^[5] Concerns over his health ultimately resulted in Kubiak retiring from coaching at the end of the season.^[1]

On March 7, two days before the start of the2016 league year,quarterbackPeyton Manning retired after 18NFL seasons.^[68] In his four seasons with the Broncos (2012–2015), Manning threw for 17,112 passing yards and 140 touchdowns, both second in franchise history behindJohn Elway. Manning also set numerous league records, including single-season passing yardage (5,477) and single-season touchdown passes (55), both of which were achieved in2013.^[69]

Since his retirement, four of Manning's records have been surpassed by eitherTom Brady orDrew Brees: combined regular season and postseason wins (200 – surpassed by Brady in2016^[70]),regular season wins (186 – tied withBrett Favre, surpassed by Brady in2017^[71]),regular season passing yardage (surpassed by Brees in2018^[72]) andregular season touchdown passes (surpassed by Brees in2019^[73] and then again by Brady in2020).

Manning was also one of two remaining active players who were drafted and had played in the 1990s—the other being fellow1998 drafteeCharles Woodson of theOakland Raiders. Woodson also retired following the2015 season, making 2015 the last one to feature players drafted in the 1990s.

• March 11: The Broncos acquiredquarterbackMark Sanchez in a trade that would have sent a2017 seventh-round selection to thePhiladelphia Eagles; however, Sanchez was released on September 2, voiding the trade.^[12][74][75]
• April 9: The Broncos were involved in a trade that sentoffensive tackleRyan Clady to theNew York Jets (seedraft section below).^[76]
• October 25: The Broncos acquiredtight endA. J. Derby in a trade that sent a 2017 fifth-round selection to theNew England Patriots.^[17]

Allundrafted free agents were signed after the2016 NFL draft concluded on April 30,^[91] unless noted otherwise.

On August 12,safetyShiloh Keo was suspended for the first two games of the2016 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The suspension was a result of aDUI arrest inIdaho in February.^[16]

• August 12: One day after the Broncos' first preseason game against theChicago Bears,wide receiverBennie Fowler revealed that he suffered a fractured elbow after blocking a punt.^[100] Fowler missed the first two games of the season.
• August 15:Defensive endVance Walker suffered a rupturedACL in his right knee during practice,^[101] and was placed on the season-endinginjured reserve four days later (August 19).^[48]
• September 18:LinebackerDeMarcus Ware suffered anulna fracture in his right forearm, during the Broncos' Week 2 win over theIndianapolis Colts. Ware collided with teammateVon Miller, with both converging on asack attempt of Colts' quarterbackAndrew Luck. Ware missed six weeks of action, before returning in Week 8.^[102][103]
• October 24:Running backC. J. Anderson suffered an injury to his right knee during the first quarter of the Broncos' Week 7 win over theHouston Texans, though he returned in the second quarter and played the remainder of the game. Two days later (October 26), media reports indicated that Anderson missed practice and sought multiple medical opinions on his knee.^[104] After anMRI revealed that he suffered meniscus damage,^[105] Anderson was placed on injured reserve, and will miss a minimum of eight weeks.^[106] Also on October 24, linebackerBrandon Marshall suffered a hamstring injury, and missed the team's Week 9 loss to theOakland Raiders.^[102]
• November 6:Defensive tackleDerek Wolfe suffered a hairline fracture in his elbow during the team's Week 9 loss to the Oakland Raiders,^[107] and missed the team's Week 10 win over theNew Orleans Saints.
• Weeks 8–10: CornerbackAqib Talib missed three games due to a lower back injury.^[108]
• December 1:FullbackAndy Janovich, the team's sixth-round draft selection, was placed on injured reserve, after undergoing ankle surgery two days earlier.^[82]
• December 6: Running backKapri Bibbs was placed on the season-ending injured reserve, after suffering a high ankle sprain during the team's Week 13 win over theJacksonville Jaguars.^[44]
• December 10: Wide receiverMarlon Brown was placed on injured reserve due to recurring back injuries.^[42]
• December 16:Long snapperCasey Kreiter was placed on injured reserve, four weeks after suffering a calf injury during the team's Week 10 win over the New Orleans Saints.^[55]

Brandon Marshall

LinebackerBrandon Marshall missed multiple games due to a hamstring injury – the Broncos' Week 6 loss to theSan Diego Chargers as well as the team's Week 14 loss to theTennessee Titans.^[109]

Trevor Siemian

QuarterbackTrevor Siemian missed two games due to injury. He suffered a sprain to his non-throwing shoulder during the team's Week 4 win over theTampa Bay Buccaneers that kept him out of the Broncos' Week 5 loss to theAtlanta Falcons the following week. Siemian also suffered a sprained foot during the Broncos' Week 12 loss to theKansas City Chiefs that kept him out of the team's Week 13 win over theJacksonville Jaguars the following week. Backup quarterbackPaxton Lynch, the team's first-rounddraft selection, filled in for Siemian in Weeks 4, 5 and 13.^{[110][111][112]}

Following theretirement of Peyton Manning, the Broncos underwent a process to select a newquarterback throughout the entire off-season and preseason.Brock Osweiler, Manning's backup quarterback from 2012 to 2015, signed with theHouston Texans as a free agent.^[24]Mark Sanchez was acquired in a trade with thePhiladelphia Eagles,^[75] and the Broncos selectedPaxton Lynch during the first round of thedraft. Sanchez, Lynch and second-year quarterbackTrevor Siemian competed for the starting quarterback position,^[113] with Siemian being named the starting quarterback for the start of the regular season^[114] and Sanchez being released on September 3.^[74] Following Sanchez's release, the Broncos signedAustin Davis,^[12] who was later waived on December 23.^[94]

As the result of winningSuper Bowl 50, the Broncos earned the right to host theWeek 1 kickoff game on Thursday, September 8, in aSuper Bowl rematch versus theCarolina Panthers. The Broncos'2016 schedule was announced on April 14.^[115]

Note: Intra-division opponents are inbold text.

NFL Kickoff game

In a rematch ofSuper Bowl 50, the defending champion Broncos played host to theCarolina Panthers, in theopening kickoff game. This was the Panthers' first visit to Denver since2004. Following a fumble on the Broncos' initial possession, the Panthers grabbed the early lead, with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterbackCam Newton to wide receiverKelvin Benjamin. The Broncos responded early in the second quarter, with a 28-yard touchdown by fullbackAndy Janovich on his first rushing attempt. The Panthers then re-claimed the lead, with Newton rushing for a 2-yard touchdown, in an 18-play, 89-yard drive that took nine minutes off the clock. After the Broncos' offense went three-and-out, the Panthers added to their lead just before halftime, with a 44-yard field goal by placekickerGraham Gano.^[116]

Following a scoreless third quarter, the Broncos pulled to within a 17–14 deficit on the first play of the fourth quarter, with quarterbackTrevor Siemian connecting on a 25-yard touchdown pass to running backC. J. Anderson. On the second play of the Panthers' next drive, Newton was intercepted by cornerbackChris Harris Jr. at the Panthers' 38-yard line, giving the Broncos excellent field position. Ten plays later, the Broncos grabbed their first lead of the game, with Anderson rushing up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown at the 9:30 mark of the fourth quarter. The Panthers methodically marched down the field, hoping to re-claim the lead, but had to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Gano to pull to within a 21–20 deficit with 4:25 remaining.^[116]

After the Broncos' went three-and-out, the Panthers had one last offensive possession. On the first play after the two-minute warning, the Panthers were facing a 4th-and-21 at their own 29-yard line, and a pass from Newton intended for Benjamin was incomplete; however, Harris was flagged for a facemask penalty, giving the Panthers a new set of downs. With 47 seconds remaining, Newton was flagged for intentional grounding with the Panthers at their own 47-yard line, but Broncos' cornerbackDarian Stewart was also flagged for roughing the passer, with a helmet hit on Newton, resulting in both penalties offsetting. With only 14 seconds remaining, Newton completed a crucial pass to wide receiverTed Ginn Jr. at the Broncos' 32-yard line, setting up Gano for a potential game-winning field goal. After the Broncos called a timeout in order toice the kicker, Gano's 50-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left, sealing the win for the Broncos.^[116]

Notes

Andy Janovich became only the third player in Broncos' franchise history to score on his first rushing attempt; the other two are fullbackKyle Johnson and quarterbackBradlee Van Pelt, both of which occurred in2005.^[117]

The two teams exchanged field goals in the first quarter, with a 48-yarder byColts' placekickerAdam Vinatieri and a 23-yarder by Broncos' placekickerBrandon McManus. A 4-yard touchdown run by running backC. J. Anderson gave the Broncos the lead early in the second quarter. Vinatieri and McManus once again exchanged field goals late in the first half, with a 52-yarder by Vinatieri and a 43-yarder by McManus just before halftime. The Colts took the initial possession of the second half and tied the game at 13–13 midway through the third quarter, with running backRobert Turbin rushing for a 5-yard touchdown. However, the Broncos took the lead for good later in the third quarter, with a 33-yard field goal by McManus. On the Colts' next possession, quarterbackAndrew Luck was intercepted by Broncos' cornerbackAqib Talib, who scampered 46 yards down the sideline for a touchdown to give the Broncos a 23–13 lead early in the fourth quarter. Following an exchange of punts, the Colts narrowed the Broncos' lead, with Luck connecting with running backFrank Gore on a 7-yard touchdown pass with four minutes remaining in the game. The Broncos then increased their lead to 26–20 on the first play after the two-minute warning, with McManus' fourth field goal of the game—a 35-yarder—and in the process, forced the Colts to burn all three of their timeouts. The Colts had one last offensive possession, hoping for a game-winning drive, however, on the very first play from scrimmage, Luck was strip-sacked by Broncos' linebackerVon Miller, and linebackerShane Ray returned the fumble 15 yards for a game-clinching touchdown (with a two-point conversion pass from quarterbackTrevor Siemian to wide receiverDemaryius Thomas).^[118]

Notes

Demaryius Thomas passedEd McCaffrey for fourth-place on the Broncos' all-time career receptions list – at the time, Thomas only trailedLionel Taylor,Shannon Sharpe andRod Smith,^[118][119] and surpassed Taylor in2017.^[120] This was the only game during the2016 season in which the Broncos scored 30 or more points.

TheBengals grabbed the lead on their opening possession, with running backJeremy Hill rushing for a 3-yard touchdown. The Broncos drove down to near the goal line on their second possession, which was aided by two Bengals' defensive penalties, however, the Broncos were forced to settle for a 20-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus. Following a Bengals' fumble on a punt return near midfield, the Broncos took the lead, with quarterbackTrevor Siemian connecting on a 41-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverEmmanuel Sanders. Following an exchange of punts, the Bengals went back ahead, with Hill rushing for his second touchdown from 4 yards out. The Broncos responded, with Siemian throwing another touchdown pass to Sanders from 7 yards out. However, the extra point attempt was blocked. Following a scoreless third quarter, a 34-yard field goal by placekickerMike Nugent gave the Bengals a 17–16 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Broncos then assembled a 13-play, 82-yard drive, culminating with Siemian firing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight endJohn Phillips (with an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt). After the Bengals went three-and-out on their next possession, in which wide receiverA. J. Green dropped a critical third-down pass play, the Broncos added to their lead, with Siemian throwing his fourth touchdown of the game—a 55-yarder to wide receiverDemaryius Thomas with 4:32 remaining in the game. The Broncos' defense stood their ground on the Bengals' last two possessions.^[121]

Notes

Trevor Siemian became the first quarterback inNFL history to throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in a first career road start. With linebackerShane Ray recording three sacks, this was the first time in franchise history in which the Broncos had two different players record 3+ sacks in a single game; linebackerVon Miller achieved three sacks vs. theIndianapolis Colts during the previous week.^[122]

The Broncos made their first visit to Tampa Bay since2004. CornerbackAqib Talib, who made his return to Tampa Bay where he played for the Buccaneers from 2008 to 2012, interceptedBuccaneers' quarterbackJameis Winston on the third play of the opening drive. The Broncos immediately capitalized, with quarterbackTrevor Siemian throwing an 11-yard touchdown to wide receiverDemaryius Thomas. On the Buccaneers' next drive, a 7-yard touchdown run by Winston tied the game, which would be the Buccaneers' only scoring play of the game. Following another interception of Winston by Talib, the Broncos re-claimed the lead, with a 1-yard touchdown run by running backC. J. Anderson. With 3:25 remaining in the first half, Siemian injured his non-throwing shoulder when he was sacked by defensive tackleClinton McDonald, and backup quarterbackPaxton Lynch, the team's first-rounddraft selection, took over in hisNFL debut. PlacekickerBrandon McManus added two field goals—a 38-yarder just before halftime and a 24-yarder midway through the third quarter. Lynch later threw his first touchdown pass—a 5-yarder to wide receiverEmmanuel Sanders—which put the game out of reach. At the 6:52 mark of the fourth quarter, the game was delayed for an hour and a half due to a severe weather threat in theTampa area.^[110]

TheFalcons, making their first visit to Denver since2004, took a 10–0 lead in the first quarter, with running backDevonta Freeman rushing for a 1-yard touchdown, followed by a 46-yard field goal by placekickerMatt Bryant. The Broncos, with quarterbackPaxton Lynch, playing in place of the injuredTrevor Siemian, punted on their first two possessions, and got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter, with a 35-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus. Following an exchange of punts, a 33-yard field goal by Bryant just after the two-minute warning extended the Falcons' lead, in a drive that took seven minutes off the clock. In the third quarter, Lynch was intercepted by Falcons' safetyRicardo Allen at the Broncos' 42-yard line, and the Falcons capitalized, with quarterbackMatt Ryan connecting on a 31-yard touchdown pass to running backTevin Coleman to extend to a 20–3 lead. On the Falcons' next drive, Broncos' safetyT. J. Ward forced a fumble off wide receiverMohamed Sanu at midfield, though the Broncos had to settle for a 46-yard field goal by McManus early in the fourth quarter. The Falcons responded, with a 25-yard field goal by McManus to extend to a 23–6 lead with 8:24 remaining in the game. Hoping for a rally, the Broncos went on a 16-play, 78-yard drive, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown pass from Lynch to wide receiverDemaryius Thomas with 2:43 remaining. After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, the Broncos' defense forced a three-and-out, but were forced to use all of their team timeouts prior to the two-minute warning. The Broncos advanced 44 yards in 7 plays, and pulled to within a 23–16 deficit, with a 45-yard field goal by McManus with only 19 seconds remaining. However, another onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, sealing the win for the Falcons.^[111]

Notes

Demaryius Thomas became the third player in Broncos' franchise history to achieve 50 career touchdowns; the other two areShannon Sharpe (55) andRod Smith (68).^[123]

TheChargers scored took a 10–0 lead, with quarterbackPhilip Rivers connecting on a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight endHunter Henry, followed in the second quarter by a 37-yard field goal by placekickerJosh Lambo. Chargers' return specialistTravis Benjamin fumbled a punt return at the Chargers' 11-yard line, however, the Broncos did not gain any yardage, and were forced to settle for a 29-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus. Three third-quarter field goals by Lambo—from 21, 31 and 32 yards out—added to the Chargers' lead. The middle score occurred after a fumble by Broncos' wide receiverJordan Taylor. McManus missed wide-right on a 56-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos' defense forced a Chargers' punt that backed up the Broncos to their own 3-yard line.^[124]

On the next play from scrimmage, Broncos' offensive tackleRussell Okung was penalized for holding in the end zone that resulted in a safety, extending the Chargers' lead to 21–3. On the ensuing free kick, the Chargers committed another special teams turnover, with guardKenny Wiggins fumbling the kick near midfield. The Broncos capitalized on this turnover, with a 5-yard touchdown pass from quarterbackTrevor Siemian to wide receiverBennie Fowler. The Broncos' defense forced a three-and-out on the Chargers' next possession with six minutes remaining in the game. On the sixth play of the Broncos' next drive, Siemian connected with running backC. J. Anderson on a 20-yard touchdown, however, another costly holding penalty on Okung negated the scoring play. Two plays later, Siemian connected on a pass completion to wide receiverDemaryius Thomas to the Chargers' 13-yard line, however, Chargers' linebackerJatavis Brown forced a fumble off Thomas, which was recovered by cornerbackCraig Mager, ending the drive with 3:35 remaining. The Broncos' defense forced another three-and-out, but used all three of their team timeouts in the process. A 46-yard field goal by McManus with 32 seconds remaining pulled the Broncos to within a 21–13 deficit. The Broncos recovered the onside kick at their own 46-yard line, however, four plays later, a desperation hail mary pass by Siemian fell short of the end zone.^[124]

Notes

Special teams coordinatorJoe DeCamillis served as interim head coach, whileGary Kubiak recovered from a migraine condition that he suffered during the previous week. As part of theNFL Color Rush program, the Broncos wore all-orange throwback uniforms. With the loss, the Broncos' NFL-record 15-game road winning streak against division opponents came to an end.^[124] This was the Broncos' final game inSan Diego, as the Chargers relocated toLos Angeles after the2016 season.^[125]

The Broncos' defense surrendered only three field goals byTexans' placekickerNick Novak, and spoiled quarterbackBrock Osweiler's return to Denver, allowing only 131 passing yards. Osweiler spent the previous four seasons (2012–2015) asPeyton Manning's backup quarterback, and started seven games in2015 while Manning was injured. The Broncos scored three offensive touchdowns: a 4-yard pass from quarterbackTrevor Siemian toDemaryius Thomas, plus two rushing touchdowns, one fromC. J. Anderson, and the other from rookieDevontae Booker. PlacekickerBrandon McManus also added two field goals.^[126]

Notes

This was the first of two games in which the Broncos wore their alternate navy blue uniforms^[127] – the other wasWeek 15 vs. the New England Patriots. This was Broncos'head coachGary Kubiak's first victory against the Texans, for whom he coached from 2006 to 2013, as well as Kubiak's return to the sideline following ahealth scare that forced him to miss the team's Week 6 loss to theSan Diego Chargers.^[128]

During halftime, three former Broncos were inducted into theRing of Fame: PlacekickerJason Elam, who played with the Broncos from 1993 to 2007 and is the franchise's all-time leader in field goals (395) and points scored (1,786); defensive linemanSimon Fletcher, who played with the Broncos from 1985 to 1995 and is the franchise's all-time leader insacks (97.5) and consecutive games played (172); safetyJohn Lynch, who played four seasons with the Broncos from 2004 to 2007.^[129]

For the second time in a three-week span, the Broncos faced theirAFC West rivals, theSan Diego Chargers. Following a 28-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus on the Broncos' opening possession, a 7-yard touchdown pass from quarterbackPhilip Rivers to tight endAntonio Gates gave the Chargers their only lead of the game. The Broncos' defense then proceeded to frustrate the Chargers' offense, including three interceptions of Rivers. In the second quarter, Broncos' cornerbackBradley Roby returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown, and Chargers' placekickerJosh Lambo later missed on a 44-yard field goal attempt. On the Chargers' opening possession of the second half, the Broncos took advantage of a Rivers' interception deep in Chargers' territory, and added to their lead, with running backDevontae Booker rushing for a 3-yard touchdown. Rivers subsequently threw another interception deep in Chargers' territory, his third of the game; however, a fumble by Booker gave the football back to the Chargers. Thirteen plays and 98 yards later, the Chargers narrowed the Broncos' lead, with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Rivers to wide receiverTravis Benjamin. Broncos' linebackerShaquil Barrett blocked the extra point attempt, keeping the score at 17–13.^[130]

The Broncos responded early in the fourth quarter, with running backJuwan Thompson rushing for a 1-yard touchdown. On the Broncos' next possession, quarterbackTrevor Siemian was intercepted by Chargers' cornerbackCasey Hayward, who returned the football 16 yards for a touchdown. The initial two-point conversion pass from Rivers to Gates was successful, however, it was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty on Gates. Rivers' second attempt intended for tight endHunter Henry was incomplete, keeping the score at 24–19 with 8:10 remaining in the game. Two long pass plays from Siemian—one to tight endVirgil Green for 31 yards and another to wide receiverDemaryius Thomas for 40 yards—gave the Broncos a first-and-goal at the 4-yard line. However, the Chargers' defense forced the Broncos to settle for a 22-yard field goal by McManus. The Chargers attempted a rally, and with 2:54 remaining, the Chargers had a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, but Rivers threw four consecutive incompletions, the last of which was knocked away by Broncos' cornerbackLorenzo Doss at the goal line. While backed up deep in their own territory, the Broncos' offense went three-and-out, and were forced to punt, giving the Chargers one last possession. The Broncos' defense stood their ground, not allowing the Chargers to advance past midfield.^[130]

Notes

Broncos' defensive coordinatorWade Phillips was rushed to aDenver-area hospital, following a second-quarter sideline collision after Chargers' running backMelvin Gordon was blocked into him. Linebackers coachReggie Herring filled in for Phillips for the remainder of the game. This was the Broncos' final game against the San Diego Chargers—home or away—prior to the Chargers' relocation toLos Angeles in2017.^[131]

TheRaiders dominated the time of possession by a 2–1 margin, and though the Broncos' defense limited Raiders' quarterbackDerek Carr to 184 yards passing, running backLatavius Murray amassed 114 rushing yards as well as three touchdowns. The Broncos trailed 23–13 with eight minutes remaining in the game, and attempted a rally, however, quarterbackTrevor Siemian was strip-sacked by Raiders' linebackerKhalil Mack, giving the Raiders a short field. A 1-yard touchdown by Murray extended the lead, a drive that was kept alive by one defensive holding and two pass interference penalties on Broncos' cornerbackChris Harris, Jr. On the Broncos' next drive, Siemian connected with running backKapri Bibbs on a 69-yard touchdown pass to pull to within a 30–20 deficit, but the Broncos got no closer.^[132]

The Broncos, making their first visit to New Orleans since2004, jumped out to a 10–0 lead. First, quarterbackTrevor Siemian connected with wide receiverJordan Taylor on a 14-yard touchdown pass. The touchdown was initially ruled as an incomplete pass, but overturned by a replay challenge. Following an interception ofSaints' quarterbackDrew Brees by cornerbackDarian Stewart, placekickerBrandon McManus added a 50-yard field goal early in the second quarter. The Broncos were attempting to add to their lead just before halftime, however Siemian was intercepted by cornerbackSterling Moore, and the Saints quickly advanced 50 yards in only 29 seconds, culminating in a 30-yard field goal by placekickerWil Lutz. Early in the third quarter, the Saints tied the game, with Brees connecting with wide receiverWillie Snead on a 3-yard touchdown pass. On the Broncos' second possession of the second half, Siemian was intercepted by safetyKenny Vaccaro, and four plays later, another touchdown pass from Brees to Snead from 5 yards out gave the Saints a 17–10 lead.^[133]

On the Broncos next drive, McManus missed wide left on a 42-yard field attempt early in the fourth quarter. Two plays into the Saints' next possession, Broncos' cornerbackBradley Roby forced a fumble off wide receiverMichael Thomas, which was recovered by Stewart at the Saints' 27-yard line. Seven plays later, the Broncos tied the game, with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Siemian to wide receiverDemaryius Thomas. After forcing the Saints to go three-and-out, the Broncos drove down the field, but had to settle on a 28-yard field goal by McManus. The Broncos' defense forced another fumble deep in Saints' territory, but had to settle on a 37-yard field goal by McManus with 2:50 remaining in the game, while forcing the Saints to burn the last two of their three team timeouts. The Saints then drove 75 yards in only six plays, culminating in Brees throwing a 32-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverBrandin Cooks to tie the game at 23–23 with 1:30 remaining in the game. However, Lutz's extra point attempt was blocked byJustin Simmons, andWill Parks scooped up the football and ran to the end zone for a defensive two-point conversion. The Saints sideline claimed that Parks may have stepped out of bounds, but the initial ruling on the field was upheld after an instant replay review. The Saints' onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, sealing the controversial win for the Broncos.^[133]

Notes

Darian Stewart became the Broncos' first defensive player sinceDeltha O'Neal in2001 to record three takeaways in one game.^[134]

After a scoreless first quarter, the Chiefs took a 9–0 lead midway through the second quarter. After Broncos quarterbackTrevor Siemian was strip-sacked near the goal line, offensive tackleRussell Okung was tackled in the end zone trying to recover the fumble and the Chiefs were awarded a safety; running backTyreek Hill then returned the ensuing free kick 86 yards for a touchdown. A 33-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus just after the two-minute warning put the Broncos on the scoreboard. The Broncos grabbed the lead midway through the third quarter, with a 6-yard touchdown pass from Siemian to wide receiverJordan Taylor. The Chiefs responded on their next possession, with Hill rushing for a 3-yard touchdown. The drive was extended after the Chiefs accepted an illegal formation penalty on the Broncos that nullified a 35-yard field goal by placekickerCairo Santos. The Broncos re-claimed the lead midway through the fourth quarter, with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Siemian to wide receiverEmmanuel Sanders. After forcing a Chiefs' punt, the Broncos were attempting to run out the clock after earning a first down with 3:31 remaining in the game. Two plays later, and after the Chiefs had used all of their team timeouts, the Broncos extended their lead to 24–16, with a 76-yard touchdown pass from Siemian to wide receiverBennie Fowler.^[112]

However, the Broncos' defense was unable to keep the Chiefs out of the end zone. QuarterbackAlex Smith methodically engineered a game-tying 13-play, 75-yard drive, with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Hill, coupled with a two-point conversion pass to tight endDemetrius Harris. The play was initially ruled down at the 1-yard line with 15 seconds remaining, but overturned by instant replay, sending the game to overtime. The Broncos won the overtime coin toss, and the teams exchanged field goals on their initial possessions: a 44-yarder byBrandon McManus followed by a 37-yarder by Santos. The Broncos' next overtime possession commenced with 4:19 remaining, and drove to as far as the Chiefs' 44-yard line. Instead of a short punt, Broncos' head coachGary Kubiak elected to send McManus onto the field for a potential game-winning 62-yard field goal, however, McManus attempt was both short and wide left, giving the Chiefs possession at the Broncos' 48-yard line with 1:08 remaining. Four plays later, and with five seconds remaining, Santos kicked the game-winning 34-yard field goal for the Chiefs, which initially caromed off the left upright.^[112]

For the second time this season, backup quarterbackPaxton Lynch started in place ofTrevor Siemian, who missed the game due to a sprained foot. Following a scoreless first quarter, a 47-yard field goal by placekickerJason Myers gave theJaguars the brief lead. The Broncos then reeled off 17 unanswered points, with a 6-yard touchdown run by running backDevontae Booker and a 32-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus just before halftime. Then, in the third quarter, cornerbackBradley Roby returned an interception off quarterbackBlake Bortles 51 yards for a touchdown. The Jaguars narrowed the Broncos' lead to 17–10 early in the fourth quarter, when Bortles ran for a 22-yard touchdown. Following an exchange of punts throughout the majority of the fourth quarter, the Jaguars were attempting a rally just after the two-minute warning, when Broncos' linebackerShane Ray forced a strip sack and fumble recovery off Bortles in Jaguars' territory. Four plays later, McManus added a 41-yard field goal with only 33 seconds remaining to put the game out of reach.^[135]

The Broncos' defense limitedTitans' quarterbackMarcus Mariota to only 88 yards passing on 6 of 20 attempts; however, the Titans controlled the first half time of possession by a 2–1 margin and led 10–0 in the first quarter. Running backDeMarco Murray rushed for a 1-yard touchdown and placekickerRyan Succop kicked a 53-yard field goal; the latter scoring play occurred after the Titans' defense forced a fumble off Broncos' running backJustin Forsett. A 41-yard field goal by Succop just before halftime gave the Titans a 13–0 lead. The Broncos' offense did not cross midfield in the first half. After a scoreless third quarter, the Broncos were attempting to cut into the Titans' lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Titans' defense stopped the Broncos on a 4th-and-goal. After forcing a Titans' punt, the Broncos finally got on the scoreboard with ten minutes remaining in the game, with quarterbackTrevor Siemian connecting on a 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverEmmanuel Sanders. After forcing a three-and-out from the Titans, the Broncos marched down to as far as the Titans' 16-yard line, but had to settle on a 34-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus to narrow the Titans' lead to 13–10 with 4:33 remaining in the game. After forcing another Titans' punt, the Broncos had one last possession, hoping for a rally. With 1:04 remaining in the game, Siemian completed a pass to tight endA. J. Derby at the 41-yard line, however, Titans' linebackerAvery Williamson forced a fumble off Derby, which was recovered by safetyDaimion Stafford to seal the win for the Titans.^[136]

The Broncos' defense limitedPatriots' quarterbackTom Brady to 188 yards passing and no touchdowns, but their defensive effort was wasted by a poor performance from their inconsistent offense. The Broncos' only scoring play was a 33-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus. In the first quarter, a fumbled punt byJordan Norwood led to a 45-yard field goal by Patriots' placekickerStephen Gostkowski. An interception off Broncos' quarterbackTrevor Siemian by cornerbackLogan Ryan resulted in the only touchdown of the game—a 1-yard run by Patriots' running backLeGarrette Blount in the second quarter. Gostkowski added two more field goals—a 40-yarder in the third quarter and a 21-yarder in the fourth.^[137]

Notes

The Broncos wore their alternate navy blue uniforms for this game.^[137]

NFL on Christmas Day

TheChiefs jumped out to a 21–7 lead at the end of the first quarter, consisting of a 10-yard touchdown run by quarterbackAlex Smith, followed by Smith throwing a pair of touchdown passes—a 70-yarder to wide receiverTyreek Hill and an 80-yarder to tight endTravis Kelce. The Broncos' only touchdown of the game was a 1-yard run by running backJustin Forsett, which occurred after aJustin Simmons' interception of Smith. A 52-yard field goal by placekickerBrandon McManus midway through the second quarter was the Broncos' only other scoring play of the game; a fake field goal attempt just before halftime was unsuccessful. After a scoreless third quarter, the Chiefs pulled away in the fourth quarter, with two field goals by placekickerCairo Santos—from 27 and 39 yards out—and nose tackleDontari Poe throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight endDemetrius Harris (with a missed extra point). The latter field goal occurred after Broncos' return specialistKalif Raymond muffed a punt return.^[138]

Notes

With the loss, the Broncos were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since2010, lost all three of theirAFC West divisional road games for the first time since 2010 and suffered their first season sweep at the hands of the Chiefs since2000. The Broncos' streak of five consecutive playoff appearances—the longest in franchise history—came to an end. For the first time since1966, the Broncos' offense scored 10 of fewer points for a third consecutive game. The Broncos' defense surrendered 330 yards in the first half—the most the Broncos have surrendered in a half since1981, and 484 for the entire game—the most since2013.^[2]

This would also be the final career game of outside linebackerDeMarcus Ware, who would have season-ending back surgery the next week.^[139]

The Broncos jumped out to a 24–0 lead midway through the third quarter and spoiled theRaiders' chances of earning theAFC West division title and a first-round bye. Running backDevontae Booker scored two touchdowns—an 11-yard run in the first quarter and on a 43-yard pass from quarterbackTrevor Siemian, who also connected on a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight endVirgil Green in the third quarter. PlacekickerBrandon McManus added a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter. The only scoring play allowed by the Broncos' defense was a 32-yard touchdown pass from Raiders' quarterbackConnor Cook to wide receiverAmari Cooper. Cook substituted for starterMatt McGloin, who left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. McGloin was named the Raiders' starting quarterback afterDerek Carr suffered a season-ending leg fracture during the previous week.^[140]

Notes

This wasGary Kubiak's final game as the Broncos'head coach, as he retired from coaching on the following day due to concerns over his health.^[1]

Source for this section: Denver Broncos' official website.^[141]

Source for this section: NFL.com.^[142]

Three Broncos were selected to the2017 Pro Bowl:LinebackerVon Miller andcornerbacksChris Harris, Jr. andAqib Talib.^[148] All three were also voted to the2016All-Pro Team and named to the First Team.^[149]SafetyDarian Stewart^[150] andwide receiversEmmanuel Sanders^[151] andDemaryius Thomas^[152] were later added to the Pro Bowl roster as replacements.

• August 25: Executive vice president/general managerJohn Elway was added to theNFL's competition committee.^[153]
• September 7: The Broncos andwide receiverEmmanuel Sanders agreed on a three-year contract extension that will keep Sanders in Denver through the 2019 season. The initial three-year contract that Sanders signed with the Broncos in2014 was set to expire after the2016 season.^[154]
• September 13: The Broncos'Color Rush uniforms were unveiled, which the team wore during their Week 6Thursday Night loss at theSan Diego Chargers. The uniform kit contained the following features: orange pants, which the team wore for the first time since 1979, orange socks and shoes, as well as block-style numerals trimmed in navy blue that mirrored the team's 1968–96 uniform style. Due to the NFL's one-helmet rule implemented in2013, the helmets remained the same, with the team temporarily replacing the modern primary logo with the throwback "D" horse logo.^[155]
• November 26: The Broncos andsafetyDarian Stewart agreed on a four-year contract extension that will keep Stewart in Denver through the 2020 season. The initial two-year contract that Stewart signed with the Broncos in2015 was set to expire after the 2016 season.^[134]