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
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
|
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
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Roster
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
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Franchise | |
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Stadiums | |
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Key personnel | |
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Culture | |
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Lore | |
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Rivalries | |
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Retired numbers | |
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Division championships (15) | |
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Conference championships (8) | |
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League championships (3) | |
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Media | |
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Current league affiliations | |
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Former league affiliation | |
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