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The Top 10 worst-to-first seasons in NFL history

By Erik Lambert

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammates after making a game winning 61 yard field goal against the New York Giants on September 24, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with teammates after making a game winning 61 yard field goal against the New York Giants on September 24, 2017 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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22 Dec 1991: Linebacker Mike Croel of the Denver Broncos goes after the San Diego Chargers quarterback during a game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won the game, 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
22 Dec 1991: Linebacker Mike Croel of the Denver Broncos goes after the San Diego Chargers quarterback during a game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won the game, 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

No. 8: 1991 Denver Broncos

A lot of people don’t remember this team. It’s not hard to see why. It’s stuck in between two notable eras of Broncos football. That being their great run of the late 1980s where they reached three Super Bowls in four years and of course their back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998. This was somewhat of a transition period for the franchise. It showed in 1990 when they fell apart to a 5-11 record, the worst of the John Elway era.

A lot of people wondered if the team was on the decline. Had they lost control of the division to the rising Kansas City Chiefs, always tough L.A. Raiders and lurking San Diego Chargers? It certainly felt that way. Then again few players responded to adversity better than Elway. Despite playing with less than ideal talent around him, he put that team on his back. While he only threw 13 touchdowns, he added another six on the ground.

He was aided by a resurgent Broncos defense that finished 3rd in the NFL in points allowed. That combination sparked a 12-4 season that got them a playoff win over Houston and almost to a fourth Super Bowl berth before falling 10-7 to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship.

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