Winning Team

Denver Super Bowl History

1978

AT NEW ORLEANS--75,583

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Dallas 10 3 7 7 27 Denver 0 0 10 0 10

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The Dallas Cowboys evened their Super Bowl record at 2-2 by taking advantage of eight Bronco turnovers. Dallas converted two interceptions into 10 points, and Efren Herrera’s 43-yard field goal made it a 13-0 halftime advantage. Denver’s Jim Turner then kicked a 47-yard field goal. But later in the third quarter, Dallas wide receiver Butch Johnson made a diving catch in the end zone to complete a 45-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach and put the Cowboys ahead, 20-3. Denver again cut the lead to 10, this time on a one-yard run by Rob Lytle. But with 7:04 to play, fullback Robert Newhouse tossed a 29-yard option pass to Golden Richards for the final score. Staubach completed 17 of 25 passes for 183 yards with no interceptions, and Tony Dorsett gained 66 yards in 15 carries. For the first time there were co-MVPs of the Super Bowl. The award was shared by defensive linemen Randy White and Harvey Martin of Dallas.

Winning coach: Tom Landry.

Most valuable players: Randy White, Harvey Martin.

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1987

AT ROSE BOWL--101,063

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Denver 10 0 0 10 20 N.Y. Giants 7 2 17 13 39

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Phil Simms led the New York Giants to a 30-point second half and their first Super Bowl and first NFL championship in 30 years. Simms completed 22 of 25 for 268 yards, including three touchdown passes and was voted the most valuable player. His 88% completion rate was an NFL playoff record. New York started the second half with three plays for nine yards and set up to punt from its own 46. Suddenly, the Giants shifted out of punt formation, and Jeff Rutledge, the second-string quarterback, came up behind the center, took the snap and sneaked for one yard and a first down. Six plays later, Simms connected with tight end Mark Bavaro for 13 yards, the Giants led, 16-10, and the rout was on.

Winning coach: Bill Parcells.

Most valuable player: Phil Simms.

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1988

AT SAN DIEGO--73,302

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Washington 0 35 0 7 42 Denver 10 0 0 0 10

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The Washington Redskins, with the greatest quarter in NFL playoff history, scored 35 points in the second quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit and win their second NFL championship. John Elway completed a 56-yard touchdown pass play to Ricky Nattiel on the Broncos’ first play from scrimmage and Rich Karlis kicked a 24-yard field goal on the next possession for a 10-0 lead. The Redskins scored five touchdowns on consecutive possessions in the second quarter, four on passes by most valuable player Doug Williams, who threw for 340 yards. Washington scored the five touchdowns in 18 plays with a total time of possession of only 5:47. Tim Smith, a rookie who gained 126 yards for the entire season, rushed for a record 204 yards. Ricky Sanders caught nine passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Washington’s 602 total yards also set a record.

Winning coach: Joe Gibbs.

Most valuable player: Doug Williams.

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1990

AT NEW ORLEANS--72,919

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San Francisco 13 14 14 14 55 Denver 3 0 7 0 10

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The San Francisco 49ers routed the Denver Broncos in the most lopsided Super Bowl. The 49ers became the first repeat NFL champion in a decade and tied the Pittsburgh Steelers as a pinnacle of Super Bowl perfection with four victories in four tries. The Broncos joined the Minnesota Vikings with their fourth Super Bowl defeat. San Francisco quarterback Joe Montana had a record five touchdown passes, three to Jerry Rice, and also set a record with 13 consecutive completions. Montana completed 22 of 29 passes for 297 yards, and Rice caught seven passes for 148 yards. Montana also set five Super Bowl career records, including his third Super Bowl MVP award, and San Francisco’s point total was the most ever.

Winning coach: George Seifert.

Most valuable player: Joe Montana.

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1998

AT SAN DIEGO--68,912

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Green Bay 7 7 3 7 24 Denver 7 10 7 7 31

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Bronco running back Terrell Davis rushed for 157 yards and three touchdowns to help Denver end the NFC’s Super Bowl winning streak at 13.

Winning coach: Mike Shanahan.

Most valuable player: Terrell Davis.