1980 Denver Broncos season
NFL team season
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]
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
[5]
Personnel
Staff
1980 Denver Broncos staff
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
|
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
|
Roster
1980 Denver Broncos roster
|
|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
|
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
|
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
|
|
Reserve lists
Practice squad
Rookies in italics
|
Preseason
Schedule
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
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
PHI
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DAL
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
SD
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
NE
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
CLE
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
WAS
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
KC
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
NYG
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
HOU
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
SD
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
NYJ
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
SEA
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
OAK
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
KC
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
OAK
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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: 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
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
DEN
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
SEA
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
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
References
- ^ "Broncos sink Hawks as quick as you can say Matt Robinson". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 22, 1980. p. B1.
- ^ "Red is out, Reeves in at Denver". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. March 10, 1981. p. 19.
- ^ Reid, Ron (March 10, 1981). "Miller out, Reeves in as Broncos coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 13.
- ^ "Reeves hired as new Bronco coach". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). Associated Press. March 11, 1981. p. G2.
- ^ "1980 Denver Broncos Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles – September 7, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles – September 7, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos – September 14, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos – September 14, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 21, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 21, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – September 29, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – September 29, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns – October 5, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns – October 5, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos – October 13, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos – October 13, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 19, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 19, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at New York Giants – October 26, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at New York Giants – October 26, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Denver Broncos – November 2, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Houston Oilers at Denver Broncos – November 2, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 9, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 9, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Denver Broncos – November 16, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; New York Jets at Denver Broncos – November 16, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 23, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 23, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – December 1, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – December 1, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – December 7, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – December 7, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – December 14, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – December 14, 1980
- ^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – December 21, 1980
- ^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – December 21, 1980
External links
|
---|
| Franchise | |
---|
Stadiums | |
---|
Key personnel | |
---|
Culture | |
---|
Lore | |
---|
Rivalries | |
---|
Retired numbers | |
---|
Division championships (15) | |
---|
Conference championships (8) | |
---|
League championships (3) | |
---|
Media | |
---|
Current league affiliations | |
---|
Former league affiliation | |
---|
|
|