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1989 Denver Broncos season
NFL team season
NFL team season
| Field | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| team | Denver Broncos | |
| year | 1989 | |
| record | 11–5 | |
| division_place | 1st AFC West | |
| coach | Dan Reeves | |
| off_coach | Chan Gailey | |
| def_coach | Wade Phillips | |
| general manager | John Beake | |
| owner | Pat Bowlen | |
| stadium | Mile High Stadium | |
| playoffs | **Won [Divisional Playoffs](1989-90-nfl-playoffs)** | |
| (vs. [Steelers](1989-pittsburgh-steelers-season)) 24–23 | ||
| **Won [AFC Championship](1989-90-nfl-playoffs)** | ||
| (vs. [Browns](1989-cleveland-browns-season)) 37–21 | ||
| Lost Super Bowl XXIV | ||
| (vs. [49ers](1989-san-francisco-49ers-season)) 10–55 | ||
| pro bowlers | QB John Elway | |
| DT Greg Kragen | ||
| LB Karl Mecklenburg | ||
| S Dennis Smith | ||
| K David Treadwell | ||
| uniform | [[File:Broncos 1968-96 uniforms.png | 250px]] |
| shortnavlink | Broncos seasons |
(vs. Steelers) 24–23 Won AFC Championship (vs. Browns) 37–21 Lost Super Bowl XXIV (vs. 49ers) 10–55 DT Greg Kragen LB Karl Mecklenburg S Dennis Smith K David Treadwell The ** Denver Broncos season** was the team's 30th year in professional football and its 20th with the National Football League (NFL). The head coach was Dan Reeves while Chan Gailey was the offensive coordinator and Wade Phillips was the defensive coordinator. In the postseason Denver won a nail biter over the Pittsburgh Steelers 24–23 then cruised over the Cleveland Browns 37–21 in the AFC Championship Game.
The season ended with the Broncos being blown out 55–10 in Super Bowl XXIV by the San Francisco 49ers.
Offseason
NFL draft
Main article: 1989 NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Pat Hegarty | Quarterback | UTEP |
| Chris Rule | Quarterback | Colorado State |
Personnel
-
President and chief executive officer – Pat Bowlen
-
General manager – John Beake
-
Director of football operations – Lide Huggins
-
Director of player personnel – Reed Johnson
-
Administrative assistant to head coach and general manager – Joe DeCamillis
-
Vice-president/head coach – Dan Reeves
-
Special assistant – Marvin Bass
-
Offensive coordinator/wide receivers – Chan Gailey
-
Quarterbacks – Mike Shanahan (hired Oct 16)
-
Running backs – Mo Forte
-
Tight ends/assistant offensive line – Pete Mangurian
-
Offensive line – George Henshaw
-
Defensive coordinator – Wade Phillips
-
Defensive line – Earl Leggett
-
Linebackers – Mike Nolan
-
Defensive backs – Charlie Waters
-
Special teams – Harold Richardson
-
Strength/conditioning – Al Miller
-
Assistant strength and conditioning – Barney Chavous
Roster
- Brad Henke DE/DT
47 active, 4 inactive, 5 practice squad
Regular season
One of Denver's new major additions was rookie running back Bobby Humphrey, who rushed for 1,151 yards, caught 22 passes for 156 yards, and scored 8 touchdowns. Humphrey gave the Broncos a powerful running attack that they lacked in their previous Super Bowl seasons. The defense had a new weapon as well: rookie free safety Steve Atwater. Together with veteran defensive backs Dennis Smith, Wymon Henderson and Tyrone Braxton, the Broncos secondary combined for 14 interceptions. Braxton lead the team with 6, which he returned for 103 yards and a touchdown, while also recovering 2 fumbles. Another new addition was defensive end Ron Holmes, who recorded 9 sacks. Holmes, along with veteran linebackers Karl Mecklenburg (7.5 sacks and 4 fumble recoveries) and Simon Fletcher (12 sacks) gave Denver one of the top defensive lines in the AFC.
Veteran receiver Vance Johnson had the best season of his career, catching 76 passes for 1,095 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also returning 12 punts for 118 yards. However, quarterback John Elway played inconsistently during the regular season, throwing just as many interceptions as touchdowns (18) and recording only a 73.7 passer rating.
Schedule
| Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Week | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Date | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Opponent | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Result | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Record | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Venue | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Recap | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 10 | **[Kansas City Chiefs](1989-kansas-city-chiefs-season)** | **W** 34–20 | 1–0 | Mile High Stadium | 74,284 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909100den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Buffalo Bills](1989-buffalo-bills-season) | **W** 28–14 | 2–0 | Rich Stadium | 78,176 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909180buf.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 24 | **[Los Angeles Raiders](1989-los-angeles-raiders-season)** | **W** 31–21 | 3–0 | Mile High Stadium | 75,754 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909240den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 1 | at [Cleveland Browns](1989-cleveland-browns-season) | **L** 13–16 | 3–1 | Cleveland Municipal Stadium | 78,637 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910010cle.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 8 | **[San Diego Chargers](1989-san-diego-chargers-season)** | **W** 16–10 | 4–1 | Mile High Stadium | 75,222 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910080den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 15 | [Indianapolis Colts](1989-indianapolis-colts-season) | **W** 14–3 | 5–1 | Mile High Stadium | 74,680 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910150den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 22 | at **[Seattle Seahawks](1989-seattle-seahawks-season)** | **W** 24–21 (OT) | 6–1 | Kingdome | 62,353 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910220sea.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| October 29 | [Philadelphia Eagles](1989-philadelphia-eagles-season) | **L** 24–28 | 6–2 | Mile High Stadium | 75,065 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198910290den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 5 | [Pittsburgh Steelers](1989-pittsburgh-steelers-season) | **W** 34–7 | 7–2 | Mile High Stadium | 74,739 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198911050den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 12 | at **[Kansas City Chiefs](1989-kansas-city-chiefs-season)** | **W** 16–13 | 8–2 | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,245 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198911120kan.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Washington Redskins](1989-washington-redskins-season) | **W** 14–10 | 9–2 | RFK Stadium | 52,975 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198911200was.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 26 | **[Seattle Seahawks](1989-seattle-seahawks-season)** | **W** 41–14 | 10–2 | Mile High Stadium | 75,117 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198911260den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 3 | at **[Los Angeles Raiders](1989-los-angeles-raiders-season)** | **L** 13–16 (OT) | 10–3 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 87,560 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912030rai.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 10 | [New York Giants](1989-new-york-giants-season) | **L** 7–14 | 10–4 | Mile High Stadium | 63,283 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912100den.htm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| at [Phoenix Cardinals](1989-phoenix-cardinals-season) | **W** 37–0 | 11–4 | Sun Devil Stadium | 56,071 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912160crd.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 24 | at **[San Diego Chargers](1989-san-diego-chargers-season)** | **L** 16–19 | 11–5 | Jack Murphy Stadium | 50,524 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912240sdg.htm) |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 2
Week 3
Playoffs
| Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Round | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Date | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Opponent (seed) | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Result | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Record | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Venue | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Attendance | Denver Broncos | year=1989 | border=2}}" | Recap | Divisional | AFC Championship | Super Bowl XXIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 7, 1990 | [Pittsburgh Steelers](1989-pittsburgh-steelers-season) (5) | **W** 24–23 | 1–0 | Mile High Stadium | 75,868 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001070den.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 14, 1990 | [Cleveland Browns](1989-cleveland-browns-season) (2) | **W** 37–21 | 2–0 | Mile High Stadium | 76,005 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001140den.htm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 1990 | [San Francisco 49ers](1989-san-francisco-49ers-season) (N1) | **L** 10–55 | 2–1 | Louisiana Superdome | 72,919 | [Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199001280den.htm) |
Standings
References
References
- "1989 Denver Broncos draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- "1989 Denver Broncos starters and roster". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909180buf.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]. Retrieved 2014-Jun-26.
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198909240den.htm Pro-Football-Reference.com]
- ''NFL 2001 Record and Fact Book'', Workman Publishing Co, New York, {{ISBN. 0-7611-2480-2, p. 292
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