With the Broncos in the playoffs for the first season since 2005, The Denver Post looks back each day at a previous playoff appearance:
It became hold-your-breath time for a crowd of 76,105 at Mile High Stadium as the clock wound down in a 1986 AFC divisional playoff game.
Down 20-17, New England had one more possession to at least tie the game with a field goal and force overtime. But Broncos defensive end Rulon Jones burst past a blocker and sacked Patriots quarterback Tony Eason for a safety with just 1:37 remaining. The 22-17 Denver victory was the first for the franchise since the 1977 season.
The Broncos took a 10-7 lead midway through the second quarter on a 22-yard touchdown run by quarterback John Elway. But three minutes into the third quarter, Eason found Stanley Morgan for a 45-yard touchdown to give the Patriots a 17-13 advantage.
Denver regained the lead on the final play of the third quarter when Elway connected with Vance Johnson for a 48-yard touchdown, making it 20-17 Broncos.
Elway’s touchdown pass and TD run overshadowed a tough day at the office. He completed just 13-of-30 passes for 257 yards and was intercepted twice.
Eason, who with Elway was a member of the famed 1983 NFL draft class of quarterbacks, had better stats — 13-of-24 for 194 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions — but no doubt would have readily traded them for a victory.
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
