1980 Denver Broncos season
American football team season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1980 Denver Broncos season was the team's 21st year in professional football and its 11th with the National Football League (NFL). Led by fourth-year head coach Red Miller the Broncos were 8–8, tied for third in the AFC West (fourth via tiebreaker), and missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.[1]
| 1980 Denver Broncos season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Gerald Phipps |
| General manager | Fred Gehrke |
| Head coach | Red Miller |
| Home stadium | Mile High Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | 4th AFC West |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
It was Miller's final season; ownership changed in February 1981 and front office changes were made in March.[2][3][4]
Offseason
NFL draft
| 1980 Denver Broncos draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 42 | Rulon Jones * | Defensive end | Utah State | |
| 3 | 74 | Larry Carter | Defensive back | Kentucky | |
| 4 | 107 | Rick Parros | Running back | Utah State | |
| 5 | 131 | Mike Harden | Safety | Michigan | |
| 5 | 136 | Laval Short | Defensive tackle | Colorado | |
| 6 | 157 | Keith Bishop * | Guard | Baylor | |
| 7 | 184 | John Havekost | Guard | Nebraska | |
| 8 | 197 | Don Coleman | Wide receiver | Oregon | |
| 9 | 243 | Greg Bracelin | Linebacker | California | |
| 10 | 270 | Virgil Seay | Wide receiver | Troy State | |
| 11 | 297 | Phil Farris | Wide receiver | North Carolina | |
| Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career | |||||
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Dennis Dunn | Safety | Yale |
| Tom Ebner | Safety | Houston |
| Tom Formica | Tackle | Colorado State |
| Tim Gerhart | Linebacker | Lafayette |
| Ivory Joe Hunter | Defensive back | Florida State |
| Daryle Tyson | Cornerback | Florida A&M |
| Scott Wade | Linebacker | South Carolina |
| Billy Washington | Wide receiver | East Carolina |
Personnel
Staff
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
|
Roster
Preseason
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 9 | Cincinnati Bengals | W 17–6 | 1–0 | Mile High Stadium | 67,532 |
| 2 | August 16 | at New York Giants | L 6–9 | 1–1 | Giants Stadium | 30,904 |
| 3 | August 23 | Los Angeles Rams | L 13–26 | 1–2 | Mile High Stadium | 73,946 |
| 4 | August 30 | at Green Bay Packers | W 38–0 | 2–2 | Lambeau Field | 53,060 |
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 7 | at Philadelphia Eagles | L 6–27 | 0–1 | Veterans Stadium | 70,307 | |
| 2 | September 14 | Dallas Cowboys | W 41–20 | 1–1 | Mile High Stadium | 74,919 | |
| 3 | September 21 | San Diego Chargers | L 13–30 | 1–2 | Mile High Stadium | 74,970 | |
| 4 | September 29 | at New England Patriots | L 14–23 | 1–3 | Schaefer Stadium | 60,153 | |
| 5 | October 5 | at Cleveland Browns | W 19–16 | 2–3 | Municipal Stadium | 81,065 | |
| 6 | October 13 | Washington Redskins | W 20–17 | 3–3 | Mile High Stadium | 74,657 | |
| 7 | October 19 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 17–23 | 3–4 | Mile High Stadium | 74,459 | |
| 8 | October 26 | at New York Giants | W 14–9 | 4–4 | Giants Stadium | 67,598 | |
| 9 | November 2 | Houston Oilers | L 16–20 | 4–5 | Mile High Stadium | 74,717 | |
| 10 | November 9 | at San Diego Chargers | W 20–13 | 5–5 | San Diego Stadium | 51,435 | |
| 11 | November 16 | New York Jets | W 31–24 | 6–5 | Mile High Stadium | 72,114 | |
| 12 | November 23 | Seattle Seahawks | W 36–20 | 7–5 | Mile High Stadium | 73,274 | |
| 13 | December 1 | at Oakland Raiders | L 3–9 | 7–6 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 51,593 | |
| 14 | December 7 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 14–31 | 7–7 | Arrowhead Stadium | 40,237 | |
| 15 | December 14 | Oakland Raiders | L 21–24 | 7–8 | Mile High Stadium | 73,974 | |
| 16 | December 21 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 25–17 | 8–8 | Kingdome | 51,853 | |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. | |||||||
Game summaries
Week 1 (Sunday, September 7, 1980): at Philadelphia Eagles
Week 1: Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Eagles | 7 | 13 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
at Veterans Stadium • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Date: September 7
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
- Game attendance: 70,307
- Referee: Chuck Heberling
- TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
- [6][7]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| PHI | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game: 3 hours, 13 minutes
| Broncos | Game statistics | Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 2 (Sunday, September 14, 1980): vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 2: Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | 0 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
| Broncos | 7 | 17 | 14 | 3 | 41 |
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
- Date: September 14
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
- Game attendance: 74,919
- Referee: Jerry Markbreit
- TV announcers (CBS): Lindsey Nelson (play–by–play) and Sonny Jurgensen (color commentator)
- [8][9]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Cowboys | Game statistics | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 3 (Sunday, September 21, 1980): vs. San Diego Chargers
Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chargers | 3 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 30 |
| Broncos | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
- Date: September 21
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
- Game attendance: 74,970
- Referee: Fred Silva
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play–by–play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
- [10][11]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Chargers | Game statistics | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 4 (Monday, September 29, 1980): at New England Patriots
Week 4: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Patriots | 3 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 23 |
at Schaefer Stadium • Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Date: September 29
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. MDT
- Game attendance: 60,153
- Referee: Red Cashion
- TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play–by–play), Howard Cosell (color commentator) and Don Meredith (color commentator)
- [12][13]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| NE | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game: 2 hours, 54 minutes
| Broncos | Game statistics | Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 5 (Sunday, October 5, 1980): at Cleveland Browns
Week 5: Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 3 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 19 |
| Browns | 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
at Municipal Stadium • Cleveland, Ohio
- Date: October 5
- Game time: 11:00 a.m. MDT
- Game attendance: 81,065
- Referee: Jerry Seeman
- TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover (play–by–play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
- [14][15]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| CLE | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Broncos | Game statistics | Browns |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 6 (Monday, October 13, 1980): vs. Washington Redskins
Week 6: Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redskins | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Broncos | 7 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
- Date: October 13
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. MDT
- Game attendance: 74,657
- Referee: Fred Wyant
- TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play–by–play), Howard Cosell (color commentator) and Don Meredith (color commentator)
- [16][17]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAS | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Redskins | Game statistics | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 7 (Sunday, October 19, 1980): vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiefs | 3 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 23 |
| Broncos | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
- Date: October 19
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. MDT
- Game attendance: 74,459
- Referee: Chuck Heberling
- [18][19]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| KC | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Chiefs | Game statistics | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 8 (Sunday, October 26, 1980): at New York Giants
Week 8: Denver Broncos at New York Giants – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Giants | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: October 26
- Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST
- Game attendance: 67,598
- Referee: Gordon McCarter
- TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play–by–play) and Gene Washington (color commentator)
- [20][21]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| NYG | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Broncos | Game statistics | Giants |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 9 (Sunday, November 2, 1980): vs. Houston Oilers
Week 9: Houston Oilers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oilers | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| Broncos | 6 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
- Date: November 2
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game attendance: 74,717
- Referee: Gene Barth
- TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play–by–play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
- [22][23]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOU | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Oilers | Game statistics | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 10 (Sunday, November 9, 1980): at San Diego Chargers
Week 10: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
| Chargers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
at Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California
- Date: November 9
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), wind 6 mph (10 km/h)
- Game attendance: 51,435
- Referee: Jerry Markbreit
- TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
- [24][25]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| SD | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Broncos | Game statistics | Chargers |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 11 (Sunday, November 16, 1980): vs. New York Jets
Week 11: New York Jets at Denver Broncos – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Broncos | 3 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 31 |
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
- Date: November 16
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game attendance: 72,114
- Referee: Cal Lepore
- TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
- [26][27]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYJ | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Jets | Game statistics | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 12 (Sunday, November 23, 1980): vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 12: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Broncos | 7 | 10 | 3 | 16 | 36 |
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
- Date: November 23
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game attendance: 73,274
- Referee: Jerry Seeman
- TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
- [28][29]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Seahawks | Game statistics | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 13 (Monday, December 1, 1980): at Oakland Raiders
Week 13: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Raiders | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum • Oakland, California
- Date: December 1
- Game time: 7:00 p.m. MST
- Game attendance: 51,593
- Referee: Red Cashion
- TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play–by–play), Howard Cosell (color commentator) and Don Meredith (color commentator)
- [30][31]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| OAK | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Broncos | Game statistics | Raiders |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 14 (Sunday, December 7, 1980): at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 14: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 28 | 0 | 3 | 31 |
at Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City, Missouri
- Date: December 7
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game attendance: 40,237
- Referee: Fred Wyant
- TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play–by–play) and Mike Haffner (color commentator)
- [32][33]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| KC | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Broncos | Game statistics | Chiefs |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 15 (Sunday, December 14, 1980): vs. Oakland Raiders
Week 15: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders | 7 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Broncos | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado
- Date: December 14
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game attendance: 73,974
- Referee: Dick Jorgensen
- TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
- [34][35]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAK | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Raiders | Game statistics | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Week 16 (Sunday, December 21, 1980): at Seattle Seahawks
Week 16: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 10 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 25 |
| Seahawks | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 17 |
at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington
- Date: December 21
- Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
- Game weather: indoors (dome)
- Game attendance: 51,853
- Referee: Bob McElwee
- TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play–by–play) and Gene Washington (color commentator)
- [36][37]
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving | |||
| SEA | Passing | ||
| Rushing | |||
| Receiving |
| Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Point spread:
- Over/under:
- Time of game:
| Broncos | Game statistics | Seahawks |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | ||
| Rushes–yards | ||
| Passing yards | ||
| Passes | ||
| Sacked–yards | ||
| Net passing yards | ||
| Total yards | ||
| Return yards | ||
| Punts | ||
| Fumbles–lost | ||
| Penalties–yards | ||
| Time of possession |
Individual stats
Standings
| AFC West | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| San Diego Chargers(1) | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 6–2 | 9–3 | 418 | 327 | W2 |
| Oakland Raiders(4) | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 6–2 | 9–3 | 364 | 306 | W2 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 4–4 | 6–8 | 319 | 336 | W1 |
| Denver Broncos | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 3–5 | 5–7 | 310 | 323 | W1 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–7 | 3–9 | 291 | 408 | L9 |