Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

When thinking of Steelers’ biggest rivalry, you may think of other teams before you think Denver. Same with if you think of Broncos’ biggest rivalry; you won’t think Pittsburgh first. However starting with their first ever meeting, a close 13-10 Denver win at home Week #3 in ’70, and ending with another close one - the ’15 divisional, also at Denver, Broncos winning that one 23-16 - a very rich history of important games between these two albeit regular or post-season. 31 games total with Denver leading the series, 19-11-1, while also leading the playoff series, 5-3. Two AFCC meetings as well as two OT affairs.

What’s the first game(s) between these two that comes to mind?

The first ever regular season OT game was between these 2 teams in 1974. It happened to end in a tie anyway, and was rather high scoring for a tie game, especially for the era.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... 220den.htm

Two upset playoff games come to mind. Each an upset won by either team.

Steelers winning the divisional round game at Denver in 1984...
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... 300den.htm

An upset going in the other direction. The 2011 divisional round game, even though the Broncos were division champs and hosted the game, they drew the 12-4 Steelers. Possibly Tebow’s best moment as a Denver Bronco...
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ ... 080den.htm

The closest we ever had to a Bradshaw-vs-Elway, of course, was opening day ’83 in Three Rivers. Instead, we got Stoudt-vs-DeBerg; Denver winning, 14-10.

A couple hidden ones come to mind. Hidden in that just one of the two teams was actually good each year; Denver in each case. Pittsburgh at Denver in both ’91 (Noll’s last) and 2003 (year before Big Ben). Steelers had a bad team each year but gives playoff-bound Broncos all they could handle at Mile High.

74_75_78_79_ wrote: What’s the first game(s) between these two that comes to mind?

The 1984 playoff game first comes to mind. That day my family was hosting a New Year's Eve party with our extended family. This remains the only family New Year's Eve party that I can recall. There may have been one when I was younger or not- I just don't know. Anyway, my father had rented a video recorder so some of the activities of that day were filmed. At one point I had stepped in front of my sister's path and knocked her off her big wheel. At another point my father was asking me who would win the Steelers-Broncos game. I said, "Broncos." Then right around that same time my sister exited the house and joined us on the front porch. I touched her back or something and she said, "Heyyyy, I got a cookie. Farto."

The 1984 playoff game first comes to mind. That day my family was hosting a New Year's Eve party with our extended family. This remains the only family New Years Eve party that I can recall. There may have been one when I was younger or not- I just don't know. Anyway, my father had rented a video recorder so some of the activities of that day were filmed. At one point I had stepped in front of my sister's path and knocked her off her big wheel. At another point my father was asking me who would win the Steelers-Broncos. I said, "Broncos." Then right around that same time my sister exited the house and joined us on the front porch. I touched her back or something and she said, "Heyyyy, I got a cookie, farto."

This could very well be the most hilarious post ever on this forum.

ChrisBabcock wrote:

...farto."

This could very well be the most hilarious post ever on this forum.

AND we now have a new nickname for JWL...

JuggernautJ wrote:

ChrisBabcock wrote:

...farto."

This could very well be the most hilarious post ever on this forum.

AND we now have a new nickname for JWL...

That's fair. I figured that could happen. I just got off the phone with my mom about that day. We think it was probably actually a party for my sister. She has a birthdate of 12/26 and would often get screwed of having a true birthday party. She might get double presents that time of year, however. I do remember that day how my father was filming mostly from the front porch as the recorder was attached to a wire. Every time a family member arrived, they greeted my father with "Happy New Year". It definitely wasn't an actual New Year's Eve party because people didn't hang around to see the ball drop and it was 30th anyway if I recall right.

Yeah, but, anyway, I was called "Farto" by my sister because I was bothering her while she was eating a cookie.

JWL wrote:

JuggernautJ wrote: AND we now have a new nickname for JWL...

Yeah, but, anyway, I was called "Farto" by my sister because I was bothering her while she was eating a cookie.

Shhh. It'll be "our" secret.
(The entire PFRA)

74_75_78_79_ wrote:When thinking of Steelers’ biggest rivalry, you may think of other teams before you think Denver. Same with if you think of Broncos’ biggest rivalry; you won’t think Pittsburgh first. However starting with their first ever meeting, a close 13-10 Denver win at home Week #3 in ’70, and ending with another close one - the ’15 divisional, also at Denver, Broncos winning that one 23-16 - a very rich history of important games between these two albeit regular or post-season. 31 games total with Denver leading the series, 19-11-1, while also leading the playoff series, 5-3. Two AFCC meetings as well as two OT affairs.

What’s the first game(s) between these two that comes to mind?

This is going to sound strange, but the 1978 season finale at Mile High comes to mind. This was a week before the playoff game, when Denver played at Pittsburgh wearing the orange pants. Meaningless game for the Steelers, but they played many starters in the first half anyway, cruising to a 21-0 lead. Denver chipped away at the lead in the second half against the reserves, making it a 21-17 game, and had a first and goal at the Pittsburgh one very late in the contest. The Steelers inserted many defensive starters, and stuffed the Broncos to claim the win.

For me it's the 1997 AFCCG where Denver won in Pittsburgh. Crushing defeat for the Steelers as they were once again one step from the SB.

I'll also add the 2015 AFC Divisional Round where the Steelers lost, 23-16. Pitt was in the game from the start and led nearly throughout, until Denver took the lead in the 4th quarter. Another missed opportunity against Peyton Manning and a good Broncos team. A frustrating defeat.