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{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox NFL season
{{Infobox NFL season
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| division_place = 2nd [[AFC West]]
| division_place = 2nd [[AFC West]]
| coach = [[John Ralston (coach)|John Ralston]]
| coach = [[John Ralston (coach)|John Ralston]]
| general manager =
| general manager = John Ralston
| owner =
| owner = [[Gerald Phipps]]
| stadium = [[Mile High Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Mile High Stadium]]
| playoffs = ''did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| uniform =
| uniform =
| shortnavlink = Broncos seasons
| shortnavlink = Broncos seasons
}}
}}


The '''[[1974 NFL season|1974]] [[Denver Broncos]] season''' was the team's 15th year in professional football and its fifth with the [[National Football League]] (NFL). The team finished the season with a winning record for the second straight season with seven wins, six losses, and one tie.
The '''[[1974 NFL season|1974]] [[Denver Broncos]] season''' was the team's 15th year in professional football and its fifth with the [[National Football League]] (NFL). Led by third-year head coach and general manager [[John Ralston (coach)|John Ralston]], the Broncos had a winning record for the second straight season with seven wins, six losses, and one tie, which was fifth-best in the conference.

Denver finished second in the AFC West, but 4½ games behind the [[1974 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]], who clinched in mid-November,<ref name=thpb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CKRVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6610%2C4667298 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Third-period blitz spurs Chiefs, 42-34 |date=November 19, 1974 |page=3C}}</ref> and 1½ games behind the wild card [[1974 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]]. In their fifteen years of existence, the Broncos had yet to reach the postseason.

The team played at [[1974 Detroit Lions season|Detroit]] on [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] and won in the final NFL game at [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]];<ref name=ppgbbl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CIFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=5201%2C4385483 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |title=Broncs boot Lions with onside kick|date=November 29, 1974 |page=20}}</ref> the Lions moved north to the [[Pontiac Silverdome]] in [[1975 Detroit Lions season|1975]].

==Offseason==
===NFL Draft===
{{main article|1974 NFL Draft}}
{{NFL team draft start
| year = 1974
| teamname = Denver Broncos
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 1
| pick = 14
| player = [[Randy Gradishar]]
| position = [[Linebacker|LB]]
| college = [[1973 Ohio State Buckeyes football team|Ohio State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| hof = yes
| probowl = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 2
| pick = 42
| player = [[Carl Wafer]]
| position = [[Defensive tackle|DT]]
| college = [[1973 Tennessee State Tigers football team|Tennessee State]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 3
| pick = 68
| player = [[Claudie Minor]]
| position = [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|T]]
| college = [[1973 San Diego State Aztecs football team|San Diego State]]
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 4
| pick = 92
| player = Ozell Collie
| position = [[Defensive back|DB]]
| college = [[1973 Colorado Buffaloes football team|Colorado]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 6
| pick = 145
| player = John Winesberry
| position = [[Wide receiver|WR]]
| college = [[1973 Stanford Cardinals football team|Stanford]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 10
| pick = 248
| player = Charlie Johnson
| position = [[Defensive back|DB]]
| college = [[Southern Jaguars football|Southern]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 11
| pick = 276
| player = Steve Buchanan
| position = [[Running back|RB]]
| college = [[1973 Holy Cross Crusaders football team|Holy Cross]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 12
| pick = 301
| player = [[Larry Cameron]]
| position = [[Linebacker|LB]]
| college = [[Alcorn A&M Braves football|Alcorn A&M]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 13
| pick = 326
| player = John Clerkley
| position = [[Defensive tackle|DT]]
| college = [[Fort Valley State University|Fort Valley State]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 14
| pick = 354
| player = Rich Marks
| position = [[Defensive back|DB]]
| college = [[1973 Northern Illinois Huskies football team|Northern Illinois]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 15
| pick = 379
| player = Peil Pennington
| position = [[Quarterback|QB]]
| college = [[1973 UMass Minutemen football team|Massachusetts]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 16
| pick = 404
| player = [[Darrell Austin]]
| position = [[Tackle (gridiron football position)|T]]
| college = [[1973 South Carolina Gamecocks football team|South Carolina]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 17
| pick = 432
| player = [[Boyd Brown (American football)|Boyd Brown]]
| position = [[Tight end|TE]]
| college = [[Alcorn A&M Braves football|Alcorn A&M]]
| notes =
| maderoster =
| hof =
| probowl =
}}
{{NFL team draft end}}


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Line 25: Line 181:
* Chairman of the Board – [[Gerald Phipps]]
* Chairman of the Board – [[Gerald Phipps]]
* President – [[Allan Phipps]]
* President – [[Allan Phipps]]
* Vice President/General Manager – [[John Ralston (American football)|John Ralston]]
* Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel – [[Fred Gehrke]]
* Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Personnel – [[Fred Gehrke]]
* Director of Scouting – [[Carroll Hardy]]
* Director of Scouting – [[Carroll Hardy]]


| head_coach =
| head_coach =
* Head Coach – [[John Ralston (American football)|John Ralston]]
* Vice President/General Manager/Head Coach – [[John Ralston (American football)|John Ralston]]


| offensive =
| offensive =
Line 40: Line 195:
* Defensive Coordinator – [[Joe Collier]]
* Defensive Coordinator – [[Joe Collier]]
* Defensive Line – [[Doc Urich]]
* Defensive Line – [[Doc Urich]]
* Linebackers – [[Myrel Moore]]
* Defensive Backs – [[Bob Gambold]]

* Defensive Backs/Secondary – [[Bob Gambold]]
| special_teams =
* Special Teams/Linebackers – [[Myrel Moore]]
}}
}}
<ref>{{cite book |title=1974 Denver Broncos Media Guide |url=http://media.denverbroncos.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=136 |page=4 |accessdate=December 22, 2013}}</ref>
:{{small|Source:}}<ref>{{cite book |title=1974 Denver Broncos Media Guide |url=http://media.denverbroncos.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=136 |page=4 |access-date=December 22, 2013}}</ref>


===Roster===
===Roster===
Line 85: Line 242:
{{NFLplayer|77|Lyle Alzado|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|77|Lyle Alzado|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|79|Barney Chavous|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|79|Barney Chavous|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Steve Coleman|d=American football|rookie=y|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|55|Pete Duranko|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|55|Pete Duranko|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|63|John Grant|d=American football|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|63|John Grant|d=American football|DT}}
Line 98: Line 256:
{{NFLplayer|66|Jim O'Malley}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Jim O'Malley}}


| defensive_backs =
| defensive_back =
{{NFLplayer|20|Charlie Greer|d=American football|S}}
{{NFLplayer|20|Charlie Greer|d=American football|S}}
{{NFLplayer|26|Calvin Jones|d=cornerback|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|26|Calvin Jones|d=cornerback|CB}}
Line 110: Line 268:
{{NFLplayer|15|Jim Turner|d=placekicker|K}}
{{NFLplayer|15|Jim Turner|d=placekicker|K}}
{{NFLplayer|42|Billy Van Heusen|P/WR}}
{{NFLplayer|42|Billy Van Heusen|P/WR}}

| reserve_lists =
{{NFLplayer|11|Bobby Anderson|d=American football|RB|IR}}

| practice_squad =
}}
}}
:{{small|Source:}}


==Regular season==
==Regular season==
{{main|1974 NFL season}}

===Schedule===
===Schedule===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"| Week
! Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"| Date
! Date
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"| Record
! Game site
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"| Venue
! Record
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"| Attendance
! Attendance
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"| Recap
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
|-style="background:#fcc"
| 1
! 1
| September 15
| September 15
| [[Los Angeles Rams]]
| [[1974 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]
| '''L''' 10–17
| '''L''' 10–17
| 0–1
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| 0–1
| 51,121
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197409150den.htm Recap]
| <center>51,121</center>
|-style="background: #ffeeaa;"
|-style="background:#ffc"
| 2
! 2
| September 22
| September 22
| [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| [[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| '''T''' 35–35
| '''T''' 35–35 {{small|(OT)}}
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| 0–1–1
| 0–1–1
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| <center>51,068</center>
| 51,068
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197409220den.htm Recap]
| 3
|-style="background:#fcc"
| September 30
! 3
| at [[Washington Redskins]]
| {{dow tooltip|September 30, 1974}}
| '''L''' 3-30
| at [[1974 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]]
| '''L''' 3–30
| 0–2–1
| 0–2–1
| [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]]
| <center>54,395</center>
| 54,395
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197409300was.htm Recap]
| 4
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 4
| October 6
| October 6
| at [[Kansas City Chiefs]]
| at '''[[1974 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]'''
| '''W''' 17–14
| '''W''' 17–14
| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]
| 1–2–1
| 1–2–1
| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]
| <center>67,298</center>
| 67,298
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197410060kan.htm Recap]
| 5
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 5
| October 13
| October 13
| [[New Orleans Saints]]
| [[1974 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]
| '''W''' 33–17
| '''W''' 33–17
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| 2–2–1
| 2–2–1
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| <center>50,881</center>
| 50,881
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197410130den.htm Recap]
| 6
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 6
| October 20
| October 20
| [[San Diego Chargers]]
| '''[[1974 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]'''
| '''W''' 27–7
| '''W''' 27–7
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| 3–2–1
| 3–2–1
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| <center>50,928</center>
| 50,928
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197410200den.htm Recap]
| 7
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 7
| October 27
| October 27
| at [[Cleveland Browns]]
| at [[1974 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]
| '''L''' 21–23
| '''L''' 21–23
| [[Cleveland Stadium]]
| 3–3–1
| 3–3–1
| [[Cleveland Stadium]]
| <center>60,478</center>
| 60,478
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197410270cle.htm Recap]
| 8
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 8
| November 3
| November 3
| [[Oakland Raiders]]
| '''[[1974 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]'''
| '''L''' 17–28
| '''L''' 17–28
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| 3–4–1
| 3–4–1
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| <center>45,946</center>
| 45,946
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411030den.htm Recap]
| 9
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 9
| November 10
| November 10
| at [[Baltimore Colts]]
| at [[1974 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]]
| '''W''' 17–6
| '''W''' 17–6
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| 4–4–1
| 4–4–1
| [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]]
| <center>33,244</center>
| 33,244
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411100clt.htm Recap]
| 10
|-style="background:#fcc"
| November 18
! 10
| [[Kansas City Chiefs]]
| {{dow tooltip|November 18, 1974}}
| '''[[1974 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]'''
| '''L''' 34–42
| '''L''' 34–42
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| 4–5–1
| 4–5–1
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| <center>50,236</center>
| 50,236
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411180den.htm Recap]
| 11
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 11
| November 24
| November 24
| at [[Oakland Raiders]]
| at '''[[1974 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]'''
| '''W''' 20–17
| '''W''' 20–17
| [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]]
| 5–5–1
| 5–5–1
| [[Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum]]
| <center>51,224</center>
| 51,224
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411240rai.htm Recap]
| 12
|-style="background:#cfc"
| November 28
! 12
| at [[Detroit Lions]]
| [[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|November 28]]
| at [[1974 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]
| '''W''' 31–27
| '''W''' 31–27
| [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]]
| 6–5–1
| 6–5–1
| [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]]
| <center>51,157</center>
| 51,157
|-style="background: #ddffdd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411280det.htm Recap]
| 13
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 13
| December 8
| December 8
| [[Houston Oilers]]
| [[1974 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]]
| '''W''' 37–14
| '''W''' 37–14
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| 7–5–1
| 7–5–1
| [[Mile High Stadium]]
| <center>46,942</center>
| 46,942
|-style="background: #ffdddd;"
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197412080den.htm Recap]
| 14
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 14
| December 15
| December 15
| at [[San Diego Chargers]]
| at '''[[1974 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]'''
| '''L''' 0–17
| '''L''' 0–17
| [[San Diego Stadium]]
| 7–6–1
| 7–6–1
| [[San Diego Stadium]]
| <center>36,571</center>
| 36,571
|}
| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197412150sdg.htm Recap]
|-style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1974|border=2}}"
|colspan="8"| '''Note:''' Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}<ref name=thpb/><ref name=trab>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HMgTAAAAIBAJ&pg=2538%2C65710 |work=Eugene Register-Guard |location=(Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title='The Redskins are back' – Allen |date=December 1, 1974 |page=1B }}</ref> Thursday (November 28: [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]])<ref name=ppgbbl/>


===Standings===
===Standings===
Line 245: Line 426:


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://media.denverbroncos.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/1974.pdf Denver Broncos] – 1974 media guide
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1974.htm Broncos] at [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1974.htm Broncos] at [[Pro-Football-Reference.com]]


Line 255: Line 437:
[[Category:Denver Broncos seasons]]
[[Category:Denver Broncos seasons]]
[[Category:1974 in sports in Colorado]]
[[Category:1974 in sports in Colorado]]

{{Americanfootball-season-stub}}

Latest revision as of 12:32, 17 October 2024

1974 Denver Broncos season
OwnerGerald Phipps
General managerJohn Ralston
Head coachJohn Ralston
Home fieldMile High Stadium
Results
Record7–6–1
Division place2nd AFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1974 Denver Broncos season was the team's 15th year in professional football and its fifth with the National Football League (NFL). Led by third-year head coach and general manager John Ralston, the Broncos had a winning record for the second straight season with seven wins, six losses, and one tie, which was fifth-best in the conference.

Denver finished second in the AFC West, but 4½ games behind the Oakland Raiders, who clinched in mid-November,[1] and 1½ games behind the wild card Buffalo Bills. In their fifteen years of existence, the Broncos had yet to reach the postseason.

The team played at Detroit on Thanksgiving and won in the final NFL game at Tiger Stadium;[2] the Lions moved north to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1975.

Offseason

[edit]

NFL Draft

[edit]
Main article: 1974 NFL Draft
1974 Denver Broncos draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 14 Randy Gradishar * †  LB Ohio State
2 42 Carl Wafer  DT Tennessee State
3 68 Claudie Minor  T San Diego State
4 92 Ozell Collie  DB Colorado
6 145 John Winesberry  WR Stanford
10 248 Charlie Johnson  DB Southern
11 276 Steve Buchanan  RB Holy Cross
12 301 Larry Cameron  LB Alcorn A&M
13 326 John Clerkley  DT Fort Valley State
14 354 Rich Marks  DB Northern Illinois
15 379 Peil Pennington  QB Massachusetts
16 404 Darrell Austin  T South Carolina
17 432 Boyd Brown  TE Alcorn A&M
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

[edit]

Staff

[edit]
1974 Denver Broncos staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches



Source:[3]

Roster

[edit]
1974 Denver Broncos roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Reserve


Rookies in italics

Source:

Regular season

[edit]
Main article: 1974 NFL season

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 15 Los Angeles Rams L 10–17 0–1 Mile High Stadium 51,121 Recap
2 September 22 Pittsburgh Steelers T 35–35 (OT) 0–1–1 Mile High Stadium 51,068 Recap
3 September 30 at Washington Redskins L 3–30 0–2–1 RFK Stadium 54,395 Recap
4 October 6 at Kansas City Chiefs W 17–14 1–2–1 Arrowhead Stadium 67,298 Recap
5 October 13 New Orleans Saints W 33–17 2–2–1 Mile High Stadium 50,881 Recap
6 October 20 San Diego Chargers W 27–7 3–2–1 Mile High Stadium 50,928 Recap
7 October 27 at Cleveland Browns L 21–23 3–3–1 Cleveland Stadium 60,478 Recap
8 November 3 Oakland Raiders L 17–28 3–4–1 Mile High Stadium 45,946 Recap
9 November 10 at Baltimore Colts W 17–6 4–4–1 Memorial Stadium 33,244 Recap
10 November 18 Kansas City Chiefs L 34–42 4–5–1 Mile High Stadium 50,236 Recap
11 November 24 at Oakland Raiders W 20–17 5–5–1 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 51,224 Recap
12 November 28 at Detroit Lions W 31–27 6–5–1 Tiger Stadium 51,157 Recap
13 December 8 Houston Oilers W 37–14 7–5–1 Mile High Stadium 46,942 Recap
14 December 15 at San Diego Chargers L 0–17 7–6–1 San Diego Stadium 36,571 Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

[1][4] Thursday (November 28: Thanksgiving)[2]

Standings

[edit]
AFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Oakland Raiders 12 2 0 .857 5–1 9–2 355 228 W3
Denver Broncos 7 6 1 .536 3–3 5–4–1 302 294 L1
Kansas City Chiefs 5 9 0 .357 2–4 4–7 233 293 L2
San Diego Chargers 5 9 0 .357 2–4 4–7 212 285 W2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Third-period blitz spurs Chiefs, 42-34". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. November 19, 1974. p. 3C.
  2. ^ a b "Broncs boot Lions with onside kick". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. November 29, 1974. p. 20.
  3. ^ 1974 Denver Broncos Media Guide. p. 4. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  4. ^ "'The Redskins are back' – Allen". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. December 1, 1974. p. 1B.
[edit]
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