1982 Denver Broncos season

1982 Denver Broncos season
1982 Denver Broncos season
Owner	Edgar Kaiser
General manager	Grady Alderman
Head coach	Dan Reeves
Home stadium	Mile High Stadium
Results
Record	2–7
Division place	12th AFC
Playoffs	Did not qualify

The 1982 Denver Broncos season was the team's 23rd year in professional football and its 13th with the National Football League (NFL). The Broncos played only nine games this season, owing to the strike imposed by the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). The Broncos were looking to improve on their 10–6 record from 1981. But due to many injuries plus the strike, the Broncos only won two games and lost seven. This was their worst record since 1971, their first losing season since 1975, and their first with fewer than three wins since 1964. Both of the Broncos’ wins came against interconference teams, and the team only won one home game the entire season, against the reigning Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers. Their only other win was against the Los Angeles Rams. The Broncos went winless against AFC foes in 1982, although all their non-division AFC games^[i] were cancelled by the strike.

NFL draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College
1982 Denver Broncos draft
1	21	Gerald Willhite	RB	San Jose State
2	50	Orlando McDaniel	WR	LSU
4	106	Dan Plater	WR	BYU
5	131	Sammy Winder *	RB	Southern Mississippi
7	189	Alvin Ruben	DE	Houston
9	243	Keith Uecker	OT	Auburn
10	274	Ken Woodard	LB	Tuskegee
11	300	Stuart Yatsko	G	Oregon
12	327	Brian Clark	G	Clemson
Made roster † Pro Football Hall of Fame * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

Staff

**1982 Denver Broncos staff**
	Front office Owner – Edgar Kaiser General Manager – Grady Alderman Director of Player Personnel – John Beake Coordinator of College Scouting – Carroll Hardy Coordinator of Pro Scouting – Reed Johnson Head coaches Head Coach – Dan Reeves Assistant Head Coach/Defense – Joe Collier Special Assistant – Marvin Bass Offensive coaches Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers – Rod Dowhower Running Backs – Nick Nicolau Offensive Line – Jerry Frei			Defensive coaches Defensive Line – Stan Jones Linebackers – Bob Zeman Defensive Backs – Richie McCabe Special teams coaches Special Teams/Tight Ends – Fran Polsfoot

^[2]

Roster

**1982 Denver Broncos roster**
Quarterbacks (QB) 17 Steve DeBerg 10 Mark Herrmann 7 Craig Morton Running backs (RB) 41 Rob Lytle 24 Rick Parros 34 Nathan Poole 46 Dave Preston 47 Gerald Willhite 23 Sammy Winder Wide receivers (WR) 83 Wade Manning 82 Orlando McDaniel 80 Rick Upchurch 81 Steve Watson Tight ends (TE) 85 Ron Egloff 88 Riley Odoms 87 James Wright		Offensive linemen (OL) 54 Keith Bishop C/G 64 Billy Bryan C 78 Brian Clark T 62 Tom Glassic G 60 Paul Howard G 76 Ken Lanier T 71 Claudie Minor T 70 Dave Studdard G 67 Keith Uecker T Defensive linemen (DL) 77 Greg Boyd DE 68 Rubin Carter NT 79 Barney Chavous DE 75 Rulon Jones DE 72 Don Latimer NT 66 Brison Manor DE		Linebackers (LB) 58 Steve Busick ILB 59 Darren Comeaux ILB 55 Rick Dennison OLB 56 Larry Evans ILB 53 Randy Gradishar ILB 57 Tom Jackson OLB 50 Jim Ryan OLB 51 Bob Swenson OLB 52 Ken Woodard OLB Defensive backs (DB) 28 Roger Jackson CB 22 Aaron Kyle CB/FS 49 Dennis Smith SS 26 J. T. Thomas SS 37 Steve Trimble FS/CB 45 Steve Wilson CB 20 Louis Wright CB Special teams (ST) 3 Rich Karlis K 11 Luke Prestridge P		Reserve 43 Steve Foley S (IR) 31 Mike Harden S (IR) Rookies in italics

Preseason

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	August 14	at Los Angeles Rams	W 33–20	1–0	Anaheim Stadium	57,482
2	August 21	Miami Dolphins	W 17–14	2–0	Mile High Stadium	77,465
3	August 28	Minnesota Vikings	W 27–17	3–0	Mile High Stadium	73,371
4	September 4	at New York Jets	W 20–13	4–0	Giants Stadium	43,820

Regular season

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Record	Venue	Attendance
1	September 12	San Diego Chargers	L 3–23	0–1	Mile High Stadium	73,564
2	September 19	San Francisco 49ers	W 24–21	1–1	Mile High Stadium	73,899
—	September 26	at New Orleans Saints	Cancelled due to the NFLPA Players' strike †
—	October 3	Pittsburgh Steelers
—	October 10	at New York Jets
—	October 17	at Houston Oilers
—	October 24	Los Angeles Raiders
—	October 31	Buffalo Bills
—	November 7	at Seattle Seahawks	Postponed until January 2, 1983 due to the NFLPA Players' strike
—	November 14	at Kansas City Chiefs	Cancelled due to the NFLPA Players' strike †
10	November 21	Seattle Seahawks	L 10–17	1–2	Mile High Stadium	73,996
11	November 28	at San Diego Chargers	L 20–30	1–3	Jack Murphy Stadium	47,629
12	December 5	Atlanta Falcons	L 27–34	1–4	Mile High Stadium	73,984
13	December 12	at Los Angeles Rams	W 27–24	2–4	Anaheim Stadium	48,112
14	December 19	Kansas City Chiefs	L 16–37	2–5	Mile High Stadium	74,192
15	December 26	at Los Angeles Raiders	L 10–27	2–6	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum	44,160
16	January 2, 1983	at Seattle Seahawks	L 11–13	2–7	Kingdome	43,145
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1 (Sunday, September 12, 1982): vs. San Diego Chargers

Week 1: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chargers	3	3	10	7	23
Broncos	0	3	0	0	3

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

Date: September 12
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
Game attendance: 73,564
Referee: Jim Tunney
TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play–by–play) and Jim Turner (color commentator)
^[3]^[4]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	SD	DEN
1					Chargers	50-yard field goal by Benirschke	3	0
2					Broncos	40-yard field goal by Karlis	3	3
2					Chargers	24-yard field goal by Benirschke	6	3
3					Chargers	40-yard field goal by Benirschke	9	3
3					Chargers	Fitzkee 18-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good	16	3
4					Chargers	Muncie 10-yard touchdown run, Benirschke kick good	23	3
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							23	3

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 2 (Sunday, September 19, 1982): vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 2: San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	14	7	0	0	21
Broncos	7	7	0	10	24

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

Date: September 19
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MDT
Game attendance: 73,899
Referee: Chuck Heberling
TV announcers (CBS): Pat Summerall (play–by–play) and John Madden (color commentator)
^[5]^[6]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	SF	DEN
1					49ers	Solomon 46-yard touchdown reception from Montana, Wersching kick good	7	0
1		—	—	—	Broncos	Upchurch 67-yard punt return for a touchdown, Karlis kick good	7	7
1					49ers	Moore 1-yard touchdown run, Wersching kick good	14	7
2					Broncos	Parros 4-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Karlis kick good	14	14
2					49ers	Clark 24-yard touchdown reception from Montana, Wersching kick good	21	14
4					Broncos	Upchurch 37-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Karlis kick good	21	21
4					Broncos	18-yard field goal by Karlis	21	24
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							21	24

Point spread:
Over/Under:
Time of Game:

49ers	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 21, 1982): vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 10: Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Seahawks	0	0	7	10	17
Broncos	0	7	3	0	10

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

Date: November 21
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Game attendance: 73,966
Referee: Jerry Seeman
TV announcers (NBC): Charlie Jones (play–by–play) and Len Dawson (color commentator)
^[7]^[8]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	SEA	DEN
2					Broncos	Willhite 15-yard touchdown run, Karlis kick good	0	7
3		—	—	—	Seahawks	Interception returned 31 yards for touchdown by Scholtz, Johnson kick good	7	7
3					Broncos	21-yard field goal by Karlis	7	10
4					Seahawks	25-yard field goal by Johnson	10	10
4					Seahawks	Largent 34-yard touchdown reception from Zorn, Johnson kick good	17	10
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							17	10

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 11 (Sunday, November 28, 1982): at San Diego Chargers

Week 11: Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	3	7	7	3	20
Chargers	0	17	3	10	30

at Jack Murphy Stadium • San Diego, California

Date: November 28
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Game attendance: 47,629
Referee: Jerry Markbreit
TV announcers (NBC): Don Criqui (play–by–play) and John Brodie (color commentator)
^[9]^[10]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	DEN	SD
1					Broncos	27-yard field goal by Karlis	3	0
2					Chargers	Winslow 3-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good	3	7
2					Chargers	41-yard field goal by Benirschke	3	10
2					Chargers	Winslow 28-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good	3	17
2					Broncos	Upchurch 16-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Karlis kick good	10	17
3					Broncos	DeBerg 6-yard touchdown run, Karlis kick good	17	17
3					Chargers	18-yard field goal by Benirschke	17	20
4					Broncos	38-yard field goal by Karlis	20	20
4					Chargers	Winslow 2-yard touchdown reception from Fouts, Benirschke kick good	20	27
4					Chargers	42-yard field goal by Benirschke	20	30
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							20	30

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 12 (Sunday, December 5, 1982): vs. Atlanta Falcons

Week 12: Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons (3–2)	7	7	10	10	34
Broncos (1–4)	14	3	3	7	27

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

Date: December 5
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Game attendance: 73,984
Referee: Gene Barth
TV announcers (CBS): Jack Buck (play–by–play) and Hank Stram (color commentator)
^[11]^[12]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	ATL	DEN
1					Falcons	Andrews 8-yard touchdown run, Luckhurst kick good	7	0
1					Broncos	Winder 3-yard touchdown run, Karlis kick good	7	7
1					Broncos	Watson 6-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Karlis kick good	7	14
2					Falcons	Miller 9-yard touchdown reception from Bartkowski, Luckhurst kick good	14	14
2					Broncos	31-yard field goal by Karlis	14	17
3					Broncos	26-yard field goal by Karlis	14	20
3					Falcons	Andrews 86-yard touchdown reception from Bartkowski, Luckhurst kick good	21	20
3					Falcons	51-yard field goal by Luckhurst	24	20
4					Falcons	51-yard field goal by Luckhurst	27	20
4					Falcons	Andrews 2-yard touchdown run, Luckhurst kick good	34	20
4					Broncos	Wright 6-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Karlis kick good	34	27
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							34	27

Point spread:
Over/Under:
Time of Game:

Falcons	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 (Sunday, December 12, 1982): at Los Angeles Rams

Week 13: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	14	3	10	27
Rams	7	14	0	3	24

at Anaheim Stadium • Anaheim, California

Date: December 12
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Game attendance: 48,112
Referee: Bob McElwee
TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone (play–by–play) and Gene Washington (color commentator)
^[13]^[14]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	DEN	RAM
1					Rams	Guman 1-yard touchdown run, Lansford kick good	0	7
2					Rams	Tyler 1-yard touchdown run, Lansford kick good	0	14
2					Rams	Cromwell 17-yard touchdown run, Lansford kick good	0	21
2					Broncos	Upchurch 51-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Karlis kick good	7	21
2					Broncos	Parros 7-yard touchdown reception from DeBerg, Karlis kick good	14	21
3					Broncos	47-yard field goal by Karlis	17	21
4					Broncos	18-yard field goal by Karlis	20	21
4					Broncos	Parros 2-yard touchdown run, Karlis kick good	27	21
4					Rams	39-yard field goal by Lansford	27	24
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							27	24

Point spread:
Over/Under:
Time of Game:

Broncos	Game Statistics	Rams
	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 19, 1982): vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Chiefs	3	7	10	17	37
Broncos	0	13	3	0	16

at Mile High Stadium • Denver, Colorado

Date: December 19
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Game attendance: 74,192
Referee: Jim Tunney
TV announcers (NBC): Marv Albert (play–by–play) and Bob Trumpy (color commentator)
^[15]^[16]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	KC	DEN
1					Chiefs	47-yard field goal by Lowery	3	0
2		—	—	—	Chiefs	Interception returned 56 yards for touchdown by Harris, Lowery kick good	10	0
2					Broncos	Willhite 2-yard touchdown run, Karlis kick no good	10	6
2		—	—	—	Broncos	Upchurch 78-yard punt return for a touchdown, Karlis kick good	10	13
3					Broncos	44-yard field goal by Karlis	17	16
3					Chiefs	19-yard field goal by Lowery	20	16
4					Chiefs	22-yard field goal by Lowery	23	16
4					Chiefs	Carson 33-yard touchdown reception from Kenney, Lowery kick good	30	16
4		—	—	—	Chiefs	Interception returned 43 yards for touchdown by Barbaro, Lowery kick good	37	16
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							37	16

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 15 (Sunday, December 26, 1982): at Los Angeles Raiders

Week 15: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	0	0	0	10	10
Raiders	3	24	0	0	27

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los Angeles, California

Date: December 26
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Game attendance: 44,160
Referee: Red Cashion
TV announcers (NBC): Dick Enberg (play–by–play) and Merlin Olsen (color commentator)
^[17]^[18]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	DEN	RAI
1					Raiders	19-yard field goal by Bahr	0	3
2					Raiders	Allen 4-yard touchdown reception from Plunkett, Bahr kick good	0	10
3					Raiders	King 5-yard touchdown run, Bahr kick good	0	17
2					Raiders	Allen 51-yard touchdown reception from Plunkett, Bahr kick good	0	24
2					Raiders	36-yard field goal by Bahr	0	27
4					Broncos	31-yard field goal by Karlis	3	27
4					Broncos	Watson 18-yard touchdown reception from Herrmann, Karlis kick good	10	27
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							10	27

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 16 (Sunday, January 2, 1983): at Seattle Seahawks

Week 16: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Broncos	2	0	7	2	11
Seahawks	3	0	0	10	13

at Kingdome • Seattle, Washington

Date: January 2
Game time: 2:00 p.m. MST
Game weather: indoors (dome)
Game attendance: 43,415
Referee: Fred Wyant
TV announcers (NBC): Phil Stone (play–by–play) and Gene Washington (color commentator)
^[19]^[20]

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

Scoring summary

Quarter	Time	Drive			Team	Scoring information	Score
Quarter	Time	Plays	Yards	TOP	Team	Scoring information	DEN	SEA
1					Seahawks	22-yard field goal by Johnson	0	3
1					Broncos	Brown tackled in end zone for a safety by Boyd	2	3
3					Broncos	Herrmann 6-yard touchdown run, Karlis kick good	9	3
4					Seahawks	34-yard field goal by Johnson	9	6
4					Broncos	Krieg tackled in end zone for a safety by Chavous	11	6
4					Seahawks	Carr 19-yard touchdown reception from Krieg, Johnson kick good	11	13
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football.							11	13

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
	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
Los Angeles Raiders⁽¹⁾	8	1	0	.889	5–0	5–1	260	200	W5
San Diego Chargers⁽⁵⁾	6	3	0	.667	2–3	5–3	288	221	L1
Seattle Seahawks	4	5	0	.444	2–1	3–5	127	147	W1
Kansas City Chiefs	3	6	0	.333	2–1	3–3	176	184	W1
	2	7	0	.222	0–6	0–6	148	226	L3

AFC
#	Team	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STK
Seeded postseason qualifiers
1	Los Angeles Raiders	8	1	0	.889	260	200	W5
2^[a]	Miami Dolphins	7	2	0	.778	198	131	W3
3^[a]	Cincinnati Bengals	7	2	0	.778	232	177	W2
4^[b]^[c]	Pittsburgh Steelers	6	3	0	.667	204	146	W2
5^[b]^[c]	San Diego Chargers	6	3	0	.667	288	221	L1
6^[c]	New York Jets	6	3	0	.667	245	166	L1
7	New England Patriots	5	4	0	.556	143	157	W1
8^[d]	Cleveland Browns	4	5	0	.444	140	182	L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
9^[d]	Buffalo Bills	4	5	0	.444	150	154	L3
10^[d]	Seattle Seahawks	4	5	0	.444	127	147	W1
11	Kansas City Chiefs	3	6	0	.333	176	184	W1
12		2	7	0	.222	148	226	L3
13	Houston Oilers	1	8	0	.111	136	245	L7
14	Baltimore Colts	0	8	1	.056	113	236	L2
Tiebreakers
^ ^a ^b Miami finished ahead of Cincinnati based on better conference record (6–1 to Cincinnati’s 6–2). ^ ^a ^b Pittsburgh finished ahead of San Diego based on better record against common opponents (3–1 to Chargers' 2–1). Conference tiebreak was initially used to eliminate New York Jets. ^ ^a ^b ^c Pittsburgh and San Diego finished ahead of New York Jets based on conference record (Pittsburgh and San Diego 5–3 against Jets’ 2–3) ^ ^a ^b ^c Cleveland finished ahead of Buffalo and Buffalo ahead of Seattle based on conference record (4–3 to Buffalo’s 3–3 to Seattle’s 3–5).

Notes

^ The Broncos were scheduled to play the Steelers and Bills at home and the Jets and Oilers — who finished 1–8 — away.^[1]

References

^ Urena, Ivan (2014). Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Guide from 1933 to the Presen. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 98–103. ISBN 9780786473519.
^ 2010 Denver Broncos Media Guide. p. 363. Retrieved March 6, 2011.
^ Pro Football Reference; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 12, 1982
^ The Football Database; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 12, 1982
^ Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – September 19, 1982
^ The Football Database; San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – September 19, 1982
^ Pro Football Reference; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 21, 1982
^ The Football Database; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 21, 1982
^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 28, 1982
^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 28, 1982
^ Pro Football Reference; Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos – December 5, 1982
^ The Football Database; Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos – December 5, 1982
^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams – December 12, 1982
^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams – December 12, 1982
^ Pro Football Reference; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 19, 1982
^ The Football Database; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 19, 1982
^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – December 26, 1982
^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – December 26, 1982
^ Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – January 2, 1983
^ The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – January 2, 1983

External links

Denver Broncos – 1982 media guide
1982 Denver Broncos season at jt-sw.com
1982 Denver Broncos at Pro-Football-Reference.com

[7–2-22] Miami finished ahead of Cincinnati based on better conference record (6–1 to Cincinnati’s 6–2).

[6–3a-23] Pittsburgh finished ahead of San Diego based on better record against common opponents (3–1 to Chargers' 2–1). Conference tiebreak was initially used to eliminate New York Jets.

[6–3b-24] Pittsburgh and San Diego finished ahead of New York Jets based on conference record (Pittsburgh and San Diego 5–3 against Jets’ 2–3)

[4–5-25] Cleveland finished ahead of Buffalo and Buffalo ahead of Seattle based on conference record (4–3 to Buffalo’s 3–3 to Seattle’s 3–5).

[2] The Broncos were scheduled to play the Steelers and Bills at home and the Jets and Oilers — who finished 1–8 — away.^[1]

[1] Urena, Ivan (2014). Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Guide from 1933 to the Presen. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company. pp. 98–103. ISBN 9780786473519.

[3] 2010 Denver Broncos Media Guide. p. 363. Retrieved March 6, 2011.

[4] Pro Football Reference; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 12, 1982

[5] The Football Database; San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos – September 12, 1982

[6] Pro Football Reference; San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – September 19, 1982

[7] The Football Database; San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos – September 19, 1982

[8] Pro Football Reference; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 21, 1982

[9] The Football Database; Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos – November 21, 1982

[10] Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 28, 1982

[11] The Football Database; Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers – November 28, 1982

[12] Pro Football Reference; Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos – December 5, 1982

[13] The Football Database; Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos – December 5, 1982

[14] Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams – December 12, 1982

[15] The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams – December 12, 1982

[16] Pro Football Reference; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 19, 1982

[17] The Football Database; Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 19, 1982

[18] Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – December 26, 1982

[19] The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Raiders – December 26, 1982

[20] Pro Football Reference; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – January 2, 1983

[21] The Football Database; Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks – January 2, 1983

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Denver Broncos
Founded in 1960 Based in Denver, Colorado Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado
Franchise	History All-time roster Starting quarterbacks Coaches Seasons First-round draft picks
Stadiums	Mile High Stadium Empower Field at Mile High
Key personnel	Owners Rob Walton Greg Penner (CEO) Carrie Walton Penner Mellody Hobson Condoleezza Rice Lewis Hamilton General manager George Paton Head coach Sean Payton
Culture	A Few Seconds of Panic Alan Roach Barrel Man Bucky the Bronco Cheerleaders Elway to Marino Everybody's All-American "Hold That Mork" (Mork & Mindy episode) "Joy to the World" Miles Orange Crush Defense "Rocky Mountain Way" South Park "Cartman's Mom Is a Dirty Slut" "Sarcastaball" Thunder "You Only Move Twice" (The Simpsons episode)
Lore	1977 season (Broncomania) Snowball Game The Drive The Fumble Tebowmania 3:16 game Mile High Miracle No Fly Zone
Rivalries	Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers New England Patriots Brady–Manning rivalry Pittsburgh Steelers Seattle Seahawks
Retired numbers	7 18 44
Division championships (15)	1977 1978 1984 1986 1987 1989 1991 1996 1998 2005 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Conference championships (8)	1977 1986 1987 1989 1997 1998 2013 2015
League championships (3)	1997 (XXXII) 1998 (XXXIII) 2015 (50)
Media	Radio network Dave Logan Brian Griese Scott Hastings Ed McCaffrey Alan Roach TV: KUSA 9News Radio: 850 KOA (AM)
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League (1970–present) Conference: American Football Conference Division: West Division
Former league affiliation	League: American Football League (1960–1969)