1986 AFC Divisional Playoff Game

[Bronco LB 59]

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...contentID=1228

When it was evident that New England would be visiting Denver this Saturday, the Broncos' 22-17 victory over the Patriots in 1986 was the first thought that came to my mind.

Everybody forgets about this thrilling game because "The Drive" occurred in the following week. It was a heart poundin, see-saw game for nearly three quarters until Elway's go-ahead 49 yard bomb to Vance. The Patriots jumped offsides and Elway took advantage of the opportunity to take the lead. During the fourth quarter, Joe Collier's defense clamped down on the Patriots by not allowing them to pass midfield and Rulon Jones sealed it by sacking Tony Eason for a safety on the Patriots' final possession.

One more thing, the Broncos also defeated the Patriots 27-20 earlier that season in a week 4 home game!

What are your memories of this classic?

[C.J.]

I was but a wee lad back then. I'll take your word for it my friend! I'm 25 now and my ability to follow these important games has increased with age, thanks to learning how to read and write since that time.

[Bronx33]

Thanks for the flashback LB..

[RhymesayersDU]

My memories of that game was learning how to walk and talk... I was only 2 years old.

[24champ]

How weird, they showed these classic games on ESPN2 tonight. "The Drive" and "The Fumble" were both shown. I never get sick of watching those games.

[Orange4ever]

Ahh, memories. I was in the USAF based in Grand forks AFB, ND. My roommate was from Denver and we were glued to the TV set. When that field goal went through I wasn't sure it was good but when I saw the officials arms go up for a good FG I ran out of my dorm room yelling ''Broncos to the Superbowl" over and over. People must have thought I lost my mind.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

What are your memories of this classic?

Mine is Elway's 22 yard TD run on a flat tire.

Rulon's sack is an obvious one.

Denver's running game was awesome. Over 200 yards I believe.

[listopencil]

I didn't get to watch it. I was at sea.

[Goobzilla]

Lots of Pats memories:

I remember Steve Busick stripping Mosi Tatupu in '84 and Dennis Smith taking it to the house.

I remember a 45-10ish drubbing of the Pats that included the 1st blocked punt I'd ever seen, I had to be about 10 or so ('79 or 80 maybe?)

I remember watching the Broncos beat the Patriots on the Sunday nighter when we pulled into port in San Diego in '95. The other sporting event of signifcance that night: Ken Griffey Jr. scoring from 1st base as the Mariners defeated the Yankees in the ALDS.

Man I'm ready for this game! It's gonna be hell waiting until Saturday....

[Spider]

I remember being pissed off @ D.Smith 49 ,then the fumble on the 2 yard line , I thought we was done Remember , Elway wasnt Elway back then , or at least we didnt know it , I also remember thinking , man we could use Little , Keyworth , Haven Moses ,then When Elway led us to the final drive in overtime , I was estatic.....

[bendog]

Didn't Elway take a shot to the knee, go into the lockerroom (leaving us puking at the thought of a blown knee), only to come out in the second half with his ankle taped?

Tom Brady of course wouldn't have even missed a snap.

[Man-Goblin]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...contentID=1228

When it was evident that New England would be visiting Denver this Saturday, the Broncos' 22-17 victory over the Patriots in 1986 was the first thought that came to my mind.

Everybody forgets about this thrilling game because "The Drive" occurred in the following week. It was a heart poundin, see-saw game for nearly three quarters until Elway's go-ahead 49 yard bomb to Vance. The Patriots jumped offsides and Elway took advantage of the opportunity to take the lead. During the fourth quarter, Joe Collier's defense clamped down on the Patriots by not allowing them to pass midfield and Rulon Jones sealed it by sacking Tony Eason for a safety on the Patriots' final possession.

One more thing, the Broncos also defeated the Patriots 27-20 earlier that season in a week 4 home game!

What are your memories of this classic?

I remember I was there! I was 5 tho, so I don't remember much more than that.

[Atlas]

Originally Posted by Goobzilla

I remember a 45-10ish drubbing of the Pats that included the 1st blocked punt I'd ever seen, I had to be about 10 or so ('79 or 80 maybe?)

....

I have a lot of Denver Pat games on tape but that 1979 blizzard game I would kill for. One of the great games in Bronco history

[TommyD4207]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...contentID=1228

When it was evident that New England would be visiting Denver this Saturday, the Broncos' 22-17 victory over the Patriots in 1986 was the first thought that came to my mind.

Everybody forgets about this thrilling game because "The Drive" occurred in the following week. It was a heart poundin, see-saw game for nearly three quarters until Elway's go-ahead 49 yard bomb to Vance. The Patriots jumped offsides and Elway took advantage of the opportunity to take the lead. During the fourth quarter, Joe Collier's defense clamped down on the Patriots by not allowing them to pass midfield and Rulon Jones sealed it by sacking Tony Eason for a safety on the Patriots' final possession.

One more thing, the Broncos also defeated the Patriots 27-20 earlier that season in a week 4 home game!

What are your memories of this classic?

My memories of that game are pretty simple:

**** YOU TONY EASON!!!!!!!!

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...contentID=1228

When it was evident that New England would be visiting Denver this Saturday, the Broncos' 22-17 victory over the Patriots in 1986 was the first thought that came to my mind.

Everybody forgets about this thrilling game because "The Drive" occurred in the following week. It was a heart poundin, see-saw game for nearly three quarters until Elway's go-ahead 49 yard bomb to Vance. The Patriots jumped offsides and Elway took advantage of the opportunity to take the lead. During the fourth quarter, Joe Collier's defense clamped down on the Patriots by not allowing them to pass midfield and Rulon Jones sealed it by sacking Tony Eason for a safety on the Patriots' final possession.

One more thing, the Broncos also defeated the Patriots 27-20 earlier that season in a week 4 home game!

What are your memories of this classic?

I remember Rulon collapsing on Eason from behind and just crumpling him into the ground. He was pumped because he knew that play sealed the game, but I recall him checking to make sure Eason was okay right away.

[Orange4Life]

I remember a 13 year old Patriot rookie named Teddy Bruschi begging to be put into the game (he was going to play both ways) so he could lead the Pats to victory. If only they would have listened to this superman.

Seriously, this is a real forgotten game, I only remember a bit of it. Elway playing on that sprained ankle stands out for sure.

[broncobum6162]

I remember that game well. What a classic. I even think I have a tape of it somewhere. Good old Rulon...........always could count on him when you needed someone to step up. One of my favorite players of old. In fact my brother like him so much he named his Shnauzer puppy after him.

[errand]

Originally Posted by Goobzilla

I remember a 45-10ish drubbing of the Pats that included the 1st blocked punt I'd ever seen, I had to be about 10 or so ('79 or 80 maybe?)



....

November 11th, 1979 if memory serves me right...I was in Parris Island going thru boot camp and the drill instructors treated us to football on TV while we cleaned our weapons, and spit shined our boots. The Broncos were up 31-3 at halftime I think and this one big mouth Bostonian kept whining about the refs....how "lucky" the Broncos were.

So I gave him 28 points on a $50.00 bet, which basically tied the score @ 31 each....Broncos still covered 45-10.

[davdog]

Originally Posted by Orange4ever

Ahh, memories. I was in the USAF based in Grand forks AFB, ND. My roommate was from Denver and we were glued to the TV set. When that field goal went through I wasn't sure it was good but when I saw the officials arms go up for a good FG I ran out of my dorm room yelling ''Broncos to the Superbowl" over and over. People must have thought I lost my mind.

Grand Forks AFB, only a little beter then minot. I had to spend a 3 week tdy there in the early 80's. Not much worse then Mt. Home, Idaho though, which was where I was stationed. I remember going across some bridge into Minn. to play legal black jack with a two buck limit.

Reading this thread I have to believe the broncos have used up all their mojo and are doomed to lose.

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

I remember Rulon collapsing on Eason from behind and just crumpling him into the ground. He was pumped because he knew that play sealed the game, but I recall him checking to make sure Eason was okay right away.

He Slap, great stuff and memories, but you have it a little off.

The great crumple sack of Eason was in the week 4 RS game of that year, where Rulon folded him in half and fell on the back of his neck. Rulon was concerned and stayed with Champaign Tony.

The playoff game sack, he just buried him, got up and went towards the goalpost with both arms raised at 45 degree angles, while guys like Louie, Foley and Hunley mobbed him.

Enberg's call was great, as he started to call the play a little late. Something like, "the Patriots will need to go a long way, BUT IT WON'T MATTER NOW!!!!!". Then the crowd noise just blasted Dick and Merlin from where they could even hear themselves.

[B-Love]

Originally Posted by errand

November 11th, 1979 if memory serves me right...I was in Parris Island going thru boot camp and the drill instructors treated us to football on TV while we cleaned our weapons, and spit shined our boots. The Broncos were up 31-3 at halftime I think and this one big mouth Bostonian kept whining about the refs....how "lucky" the Broncos were.

So I gave him 28 points on a $50.00 bet, which basically tied the score @ 31 each....Broncos still covered 45-10.

We were leading 38-3 at the half, and Dick Enberg had another great call I still remember.

"That's the end of the first half, ........ the Broncos are on a rampage!!!! Broncos lead it 38 to 3".

The week before the Broncos got toasted by the Steelers on MNF by 35 points, and the next week they came back and won by 35.

If you can find me a copy of this game tape, I'll fly to your town and take you out for a big night out. Someone find it please.

It's in my top 5 gold mine find list!!!

[-Slap-]

Originally Posted by B-Love

He Slap, great stuff and memories, but you have it a little off.

The great crumple sack of Eason was in the week 4 RS game of that year, where Rulon folded him in half and fell on the back of his neck. Rulon was concerned and stayed with Champaign Tony.

The playoff game sack, he just buried him, got up and went towards the goalpost with both arms raised at 45 degree angles, while guys like Louie, Foley and Hunley mobbed him.

Enberg's call was great, as he started to call the play a little late. Something like, "the Patriots will need to go a long way, BUT IT WON'T MATTER NOW!!!!!". Then the crowd noise just blasted Dick and Merlin from where they could even hear themselves.

Good deal. Seems like we played them a lot during that stretch and usually came out on top. There were a lot of players on that team I liked, though. My best friend from high school was a Patriots fan, so I learned a lot about them whether I wanted to or not.

Remember the playoff game that New England team won in the LA Coliseum in 1985? Hog Hannah took out two Raiders on a Craig James sweep to knock the Raiders out of the playoffs.

[bronco militia]

Originally Posted by -Slap-

Good deal. Seems like we played them a lot during that stretch and usually came out on top. .

Elway never lost to the Pats.... 11-0