1980 Denver Broncos 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]

1980 Denver Broncos season
Owner	Gerald Phipps
General manager	Fred Gehrke
Head coach	Red Miller
Home field	Mile High Stadium
Results
Record	8–8
Division place	4th AFC West
Playoff finish	Did not qualify
← 1979 Broncos seasons 1981 →

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

Main article: 1980 NFL Draft

1980 Denver Broncos draft
Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
2	42	Rulon Jones *	Defensive end	Utah State
3	74	Larry Carter	Defensive back	Kentucky
4	107	Rick Parros	Running back	Utah State
5	131	Mike Harden	Defensive back	Michigan
5	136	Laval Short	Defensive tackle	Colorado
6	157	Keith Bishop *	Guard	Baylor
7	184	John Havekost	Guard	Nebraska
8	197	Don Coleman	Wide receiver	Oregon
9	243	Greg Bracelin	Linebacker	California
10	270	Virgil Seay	Wide receiver	Troy State
11	297	Phil Farris	Wide receiver	North Carolina
Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

^[5]

Personnel

Staff

1980 Denver Broncos staff

Front office Chairman of the Board – Gerald Phipps President – Allan Phipps Vice President/General Manager – Fred Gehrke Director of player personnel – Carroll Hardy Director of Pro Personnel – John Beake Head coaches Head coach – Red Miller Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator – Rod Dowhower Offensive Backfield – Paul Roach Wide Receivers – Fran Polsfoot Offensive Line – Whitey Dovell

Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Joe Collier Defensive Line – Stan Jones Linebackers – Bob Zeman Defensive Backs – Richie McCabe Special teams coaches Special Teams – Marv Braden

Roster

1980 Denver Broncos roster

Quarterbacks (QB) 16 Jeff Knapple 7 Craig Morton 17 Matt Robinson Running backs (RB) 24 Otis Armstrong 30 Jim Jensen 32 Jon Keyworth FB 41 Rob Lytle 34 Ben Norman 46 Dave Preston Wide receivers (WR) 82 Larry Brunson 25 Haven Moses 80 Rick Upchurch 81 Steve Watson Tight ends (TE) 85 Ron Egloff 86 Emery Moorehead 88 Riley Odoms

Offensive linemen (OL) 54 Keith Bishop G 64 Billy Bryan C 73 Kelvin Clark T 62 Tom Glassic G 65 Glenn Hyde G 60 Paul Howard G 71 Claudie Minor T 70 Dave Studdard T Defensive linemen (DL) 77 Greg Boyd DE 79 Barney Chavous DE 68 Rubin Carter DT 75 Rulon Jones DE 72 Don Latimer DT 66 Brison Manor DE

Linebackers (LB) 52 Greg Bracelin 56 Larry Evans 53 Randy Gradishar 57 Tom Jackson 58 Rob Nairne 59 Joe Rizzo 50 Jim Ryan Defensive backs (DB) 29 Bernard Jackson FS 43 Steve Foley CB 31 Mike Harden FS 22 Aaron Kyle CB 36 Bill Thompson S 20 Louis Wright CB Special teams 11 Luke Prestridge P 19 Fred Steinfort K

Reserve 35 Larry Canada RB (IR) -- John Havekost G (IR) 24 Rick Parros RB (IR) -- Golden Richards WR (IR) 51 Bob Swenson LB (IR) Rookies in italics

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	August 9	Cincinnati Bengals	W 17–6	1–0	Mile High Stadium	67,532
2	August 16	at New York Giants	L 6–9	1–1	Giants Stadium	30,904
3	August 23	Los Angeles Rams	L 13–26	1–2	Mile High Stadium	73,946
4	August 30	at Green Bay Packers	W 38–0	2–2	Lambeau Field	53,060

Regular season

Main article: 1980 NFL 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	September 29	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	October 13	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	December 1	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

Week 1 (Sunday, September 7, 1980): at Philadelphia Eagles

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	0	6	0	6
Eagles	7	13	0	7	27

Week 1: Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles – Game summary

at Veterans Stadium • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Date: September 7
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 70,307
• Referee: Chuck Heberling
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
• ^[6][7]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
PHI	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN PHI 1 5:43 5 87 Eagles Carmichael 56-yard touchdown reception from Jaworski, Franklin kick good 0 7 2 8:40 10 73 Eagles 17-yard field goal by Franklin 0 10 2 1:45 7 80 Eagles Fitzkee 16-yard touchdown reception from Jaworski, Franklin kick good 0 17 2 0:31 5 15 Eagles 32-yard field goal by Franklin 0 20 3 4:06 7 15 Broncos 44-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 20 3 2:21 4 3 Broncos 43-yard field goal by Steinfort 6 20 4 14:55 5 80 Eagles Spagnola 11-yard touchdown reception from Jaworski, Franklin kick good 6 27 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 6 27

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 3 hours, 13 minutes

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

Week 2 (Sunday, September 14, 1980): vs. Dallas Cowboys

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cowboys	0	10	3	7	20
Broncos	7	17	14	3	41

Week 2: Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: September 14
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 74,919
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (CBS): Lindsey Nelson (play–by–play) and Sonny Jurgensen (color commentator)
• ^[8][9]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DAL	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DAL DEN 1 Broncos Robinson 1-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 0 7 2 Broncos 46-yard field goal by Steinfort 0 10 2 Broncos Robinson 3-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 0 17 2 Cowboys Hill 31-yard touchdown reception from White, Septién kick good 7 17 2 — — — Broncos Fumble recovery returned 32 yards for touchdown by Thompson, Steinfort kick good 7 24 2 Cowboys 30-yard field goal by Septién 10 24 3 Cowboys 36-yard field goal by Septién 13 24 3 Broncos Armstrong 3-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 13 31 3 Broncos Jensen 4-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 13 38 4 Cowboys Hill 22-yard touchdown reception from White, Septién kick good 20 38 4 Broncos 55-yard field goal by Steinfort 20 41 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 41

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 3 (Sunday, September 21, 1980): vs. San Diego Chargers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	24	3	0	30
Broncos	3	3	7	0	13

Week 3: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: September 21
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 74,970
• Referee: Fred Silva
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play–by–play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
• ^[10][11]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SD	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP SD DEN 1 Chargers 53-yard field goal by Benirschke 3 0 1 Broncos 51-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 3 2 Chargers Cappelletti 1-yard touchdown run, Benirschke kick good 10 3 2 Broncos 46-yard field goal by Steinfort 10 6 2 Chargers Joiner 22-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good 17 6 2 — — — Chargers Interception returned 68 yards for touchdown by Edwards, Benirschke kick good 24 6 2 Chargers 32-yard field goal by Benirschke 27 6 3 Chargers 42-yard field goal by Benirschke 30 6 3 Broncos Moses 15-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 30 13 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 30 13

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 4 (Monday, September 29, 1980): at New England Patriots

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	7	0	7	0	14
Patriots	3	7	7	6	23

Week 4: Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – Game summary

at Schaefer Stadium • Foxborough, Massachusetts

• Date: September 29
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 60,153
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play–by–play), Howard Cosell (color commentator) and Don Meredith (color commentator)
• ^[12][13]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NE	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN NE 1 7:39 5 55 Broncos Moses 17-yard touchdown reception from Robinson, Steinfort kick good 7 0 1 1:27 10 57 Patriots 26-yard field goal by Smith 7 3 2 10:25 7 66 Patriots Ferguson 2-yard touchdown run, Smith kick good 7 10 3 11:24 5 37 Broncos Armstrong 8-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 14 10 3 8:06 7 78 Patriots Morgan 45-yard touchdown reception from Grogan, Smith kick good 14 17 4 9:38 16 78 Patriots 19-yard field goal by Smith 14 20 4 2:12 9 45 Patriots 36-yard field goal by Smith 14 23 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 23

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game: 2 hours, 54 minutes

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

Week 5 (Sunday, October 5, 1980): at Cleveland Browns

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	3	10	3	3	19
Browns	3	10	3	0	16

Week 5: Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns – Game summary

at Municipal Stadium • Cleveland, Ohio

• Date: October 5
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 81,065
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Sam Nover (play–by–play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
• ^[14][15]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
CLE	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN CLE 1 Broncos 18-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 0 1 Browns 24-yard field goal by Cockroft 3 3 2 Broncos 47-yard field goal by Steinfort 6 3 2 Browns Rucker 40-yard touchdown reception from Sipe, Cockroft kick good 6 10 2 — — — Broncos Interception returned 93 yards for touchdown by Gradishar, Steinfort kick good 13 10 2 Browns 45-yard field goal by Cockroft 13 13 3 Broncos 41-yard field goal by Steinfort 16 13 3 Browns 40-yard field goal by Cockroft 16 16 4 Broncos 19-yard field goal by Steinfort 19 16 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 19 16

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 6 (Monday, October 13, 1980): vs. Washington Redskins

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Redskins	3	0	7	7	17
Broncos	7	3	3	7	20

Week 6: Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: October 13
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 74,657
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play–by–play), Howard Cosell (color commentator) and Don Meredith (color commentator)
• ^[16][17]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
WAS	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP WAS DEN 1 Broncos Armstrong 8-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 0 7 1 Redskins 23-yard field goal by Moseley 3 7 2 Broncos 57-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 10 3 Redskins Jackson 55-yard touchdown run, Moseley kick good 10 10 3 Broncos 23-yard field goal by Steinfort 10 13 4 Redskins Monk 1-yard touchdown reception from Theismann, Moseley kick good 17 13 4 Broncos Upchurch 32-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 17 20 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 17 20

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 7 (Sunday, October 19, 1980): vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	3	10	7	3	23
Broncos	7	7	3	0	17

Week 7: Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: October 19
• Game time: 12:00 p.m. MDT
• Game attendance: 74,459
• Referee: Chuck Heberling
• ^[18][19]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
KC	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP KC DEN 1 Chiefs 37-yard field goal by Lowery 3 0 1 Broncos Upchurch 14-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 3 7 2 Broncos Odoms 6-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 3 14 2 Chiefs 39-yard field goal by Lowery 6 14 2 Chiefs Dixon 26-yard touchdown reception from Fuller, Lowery kick good 13 14 3 Broncos 41-yard field goal by Steinfort 13 17 3 Chiefs Marshall 46-yard touchdown reception from Fuller, Lowery kick good 20 17 4 Chiefs 34-yard field goal by Lowery 23 17 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 23 17

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 8 (Sunday, October 26, 1980): at New York Giants

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	7	0	14
Giants	3	6	0	0	9

Week 8: Denver Broncos at New York Giants – Game summary

at Giants Stadium • East Rutherford, New Jersey

• Date: October 26
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. MST
• Game attendance: 67,598
• Referee: Gordon McCarter
• TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play–by–play) and Gene Washington (color commentator)
• ^[20][21]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NYG	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN NYG 1 Giants 28-yard field goal by Danelo 0 3 2 Broncos Jensen 1-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 7 3 2 Giants 28-yard field goal by Danelo 7 6 2 Giants 45-yard field goal by Danelo 7 9 3 Broncos Armstrong 2-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 14 9 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 9

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 9 (Sunday, November 2, 1980): vs. Houston Oilers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Oilers	0	7	6	7	20
Broncos	6	3	0	7	16

Week 9: Houston Oilers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: November 2
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 74,717
• Referee: Gene Barth
• TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play–by–play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
• ^[22][23]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
HOU	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP HOU DEN 1 Broncos 45-yard field goal by Steinfort 0 3 1 Broncos 20-yard field goal by Steinfort 0 6 2 Oilers Campbell 1-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good 7 6 2 Broncos 28-yard field goal by Steinfort 7 9 3 Oilers Campbell 9-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick no good 13 9 4 Oilers Carpenter 2-yard touchdown run, Fritsch kick good 20 9 4 Broncos Jensen 8-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 20 16 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 16

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 10 (Sunday, November 9, 1980): at San Diego Chargers

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	7	6	7	20
Chargers	0	6	0	7	13

Week 10: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

at Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California

• Date: November 9
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game weather: 61 °F (16 °C), wind 6 mph (10 km/h)
• Game attendance: 51,435
• Referee: Jerry Markbreit
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
• ^[24][25]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SD	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN SD 2 Chargers 30-yard field goal by Benirschke 0 3 2 Chargers 34-yard field goal by Benirschke 0 6 2 Broncos Lytle 3-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 7 6 3 Broncos 28-yard field goal by Steinfort 10 6 3 Broncos 42-yard field goal by Steinfort 13 6 4 Broncos Preston 4-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 20 6 4 Chargers Jefferson 3-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good 20 13 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 14

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 11 (Sunday, November 16, 1980): vs. New York Jets

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jets	7	10	0	7	24
Broncos	3	7	7	14	31

Week 11: New York Jets at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: November 16
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 72,114
• Referee: Cal Lepore
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
• ^[26][27]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NYJ	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP NYJ DEN 1 Broncos -yard field goal by Steinfort 0 3 1 Jets Walker 36-yard touchdown reception from Todd, Leahy kick good 7 3 2 Jets 22-yard field goal by Leahy 10 3 2 Jets Jones 31-yard touchdown reception from Todd, Leahy kick good 17 3 2 Broncos Odoms 22-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 17 10 3 Broncos Preston 3-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 17 17 4 Broncos Keyworth 1-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 17 24 4 Jets Dierking 1-yard touchdown run, Leahy kick good 24 24 4 Broncos Upchurch 13-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 24 31 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 31

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 12 (Sunday, November 23, 1980): vs. Seattle Seahawks

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	0	10	0	10	20
Broncos	7	10	3	16	36

Week 12: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: November 23
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 73,274
• Referee: Jerry Seeman
• TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
• ^[28][29]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
SEA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP SEA DEN 1 Broncos Odoms 2-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 0 7 2 Seahawks 21-yard field goal by Herrera 3 7 2 — — — Seahawks Lewis 75-yard punt return for a touchdown, Herrera kick good 10 7 2 Broncos 24-yard field goal by Steinfort 10 10 2 Broncos Morton 1-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 10 17 3 Broncos 33-yard field goal by Steinfort 10 20 4 Seahawks 20-yard field goal by Herrera 13 20 4 Broncos Moses 27-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 13 27 4 — — — Broncos Interception returned 15 yards for touchdown by Latimer, Steinfort kick good 13 34 4 — — — Broncos Zorn tackled in end zone for a safety by Jones 13 36 4 Seahawks McCutcheon 5-yard touchdown reception from Adkins, Herrera kick good 20 36 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 20 36

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 13 (Monday, December 1, 1980): at Oakland Raiders

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	3	0	0	0	3
Raiders	0	0	6	3	9

Week 13: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – Game summary

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum • Oakland, California

• Date: December 1
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 51,593
• Referee: Red Cashion
• TV announcers (ABC): Frank Gifford (play–by–play), Howard Cosell (color commentator) and Don Meredith (color commentator)
• ^[30][31]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
OAK	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN OAK 1 Broncos 41-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 0 3 Raiders Plunkett 8-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick no good 3 6 4 Raiders 44-yard field goal by Bahr 3 9 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 3 9

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 14 (Sunday, December 7, 1980): at Kansas City Chiefs

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	0	7	7	14
Chiefs	0	28	0	3	31

Week 14: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

at Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City, Missouri

• Date: December 7
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 40,237
• Referee: Fred Wyant
• TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play–by–play) and Mike Haffner (color commentator)
• ^[32][33]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
KC	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN KC 2 Chiefs Smith 33-yard touchdown reception from Kenney, Lowery kick good 0 7 2 Chiefs Morgado 1-yard touchdown run, Lowery kick good 0 14 2 — — — Chiefs Fumble recovery returned 3 yards for touchdown by Howard, Lowery kick good 0 21 2 Chiefs Garcia 8-yard touchdown reception from Kenney, Lowery kick good 0 28 3 Broncos Odoms 22-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 7 28 4 Broncos Moses 4-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 14 28 4 Chiefs 20-yard field goal by Lowery 14 31 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 14 31

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

Week 15 (Sunday, December 14, 1980): vs. Oakland Raiders

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Raiders	7	10	0	7	24
Broncos	0	7	7	7	21

Week 15: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – Game summary

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

• Date: December 14
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game attendance: 73,974
• Referee: Dick Jorgensen
• TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
• ^[34][35]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
OAK	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP OAK DEN 1 — — — Raiders Interception returned 58 yards for touchdown by Owens, Bahr kick good 7 0 2 Broncos Preston 2-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 7 7 2 Raiders 44-yard field goal by Bahr 10 7 2 Raiders Chandler 11-yard touchdown reception from Plunkett, Bahr kick good 17 7 3 Broncos Odoms 12-yard touchdown reception from Morton, Steinfort kick good 17 14 4 Raiders Chandler 38-yard touchdown reception from Plunkett, Bahr kick good 24 14 4 Broncos Preston 9-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick good 24 21 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 24 21

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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 (Sunday, December 21, 1980): at Seattle Seahawks

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	10	9	6	0	25
Seahawks	0	0	3	14	17

Week 16: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington

• Date: December 21
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
• Game weather: indoors (dome)
• Game attendance: 51,853
• Referee: Bob McElwee
• TV announcers (NBC): Jay Randolph (play–by–play) and Gene Washington (color commentator)
• ^[36][37]

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
DEN	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
SEA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP DEN SEA 1 Broncos 53-yard field goal by Steinfort 3 0 1 Broncos Odoms 18-yard touchdown reception from Robinson, Steinfort kick good 10 0 2 Broncos Robinson 1-yard touchdown run, Steinfort kick no good 16 0 2 Broncos 55-yard field goal by Steinfort 19 0 3 Seahawks 47-yard field goal by Herrera 19 3 3 Broncos 34-yard field goal by Steinfort 22 3 3 Broncos 38-yard field goal by Steinfort 25 3 4 Seahawks McCutcheon 2-yard touchdown run, Herrera kick good 25 10 4 Seahawks Jodat 9-yard touchdown reception from Zorn, Herrera kick good 25 17 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 25 17

• Point spread:
• Over/Under:
• Time of Game:

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

AFC West
view talk edit	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
San Diego Chargers(1)	11	5	0	.688	6–2	9–3	418	327	W2
Oakland Raiders(4)	11	5	0	.688	6–2	9–3	364	306	W2
Kansas City Chiefs	8	8	0	.500	4–4	6–8	319	336	W1
Denver Broncos	8	8	0	.500	3–5	5–7	310	323	W1
Seattle Seahawks	4	12	0	.250	1–7	3–9	291	408	L9

References

1. "Broncos sink Hawks as quick as you can say Matt Robinson". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 22, 1980. p. B1.
2. "Red is out, Reeves in at Denver". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. March 10, 1981. p. 19.
3. Reid, Ron (March 10, 1981). "Miller out, Reeves in as Broncos coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 13.
4. "Reeves hired as new Bronco coach". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). Associated Press. March 11, 1981. p. G2.
5. "1980 Denver Broncos Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
6. Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles – September 7, 1980
7. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Philadelphia Eagles – September 7, 1980
8. Pro Football Reference; Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos – September 14, 1980
9. The Football Database; Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos – September 14, 1980
10. Pro Football Reference; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 21, 1980
11. The Football Database; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 21, 1980
12. Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – September 29, 1980
13. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at New England Patriots – September 29, 1980
14. Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns – October 5, 1980
15. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Cleveland Browns – October 5, 1980
16. Pro Football Reference; Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos – October 13, 1980
17. The Football Database; Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos – October 13, 1980
18. Pro Football Reference; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 19, 1980
19. The Football Database; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – October 19, 1980
20. Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at New York Giants – October 26, 1980
21. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at New York Giants – October 26, 1980
22. Pro Football Reference; Houston Oilers at Denver Broncos – November 2, 1980
23. The Football Database; Houston Oilers at Denver Broncos – November 2, 1980
24. Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 9, 1980
25. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 9, 1980
26. Pro Football Reference; New York Jets at Denver Broncos – November 16, 1980
27. The Football Database; New York Jets at Denver Broncos – November 16, 1980
28. Pro Football Reference; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 23, 1980
29. The Football Database; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 23, 1980
30. Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – December 1, 1980
31. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders – December 1, 1980
32. Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – December 7, 1980
33. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs – December 7, 1980
34. Pro Football Reference; Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – December 14, 1980
35. The Football Database; Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos – December 14, 1980
36. Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – December 21, 1980
37. The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – December 21, 1980

External links

• Denver Broncos – 1980 media guide
• 1980 Denver Broncos at Pro-Football-Reference.com