1969 Denver Broncos season

The 1969 Denver Broncos season was the team's tenth season as a franchise, and their final season in the American Football League (AFL) before the league merged with the National Football League (NFL). Led by third-year head coach and general manager Lou Saban, the Broncos were 5–8–1, fourth place in the AFL West for the seventh straight season.

1969 Denver Broncos season
OwnerGerald Phipps
Head coachLou Saban
General managerLou Saban
Home fieldMile High Stadium
Results
Record5–8–1
Division place4th AFL West
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Denver opened with two victories at home, but were winless in their previous five games entering the season finale; they avoided the division cellar with a home win over Cincinnati in the final AFL game for both.[1]

Of the original eight franchises, Denver was the only one to never play in the AFL postseason. Six of the teams won league titles; the other exception was Boston, who won their sole division title via a tiebreaker game in 1963. The Broncos posted their first winning record in 1973 and made their first postseason in 1977, advancing to Super Bowl XII.

Offseason

NFL draft
Main article: 1969 NFL/AFL Draft
1969 Denver Broncos draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
2 36 Grady Cavness  DB UTEP
3 61 Bill Thompson *  DB Maryland State
4 84 Mike Schnitker  LB Colorado
4 88 Edward Hayes  DB Morgan State
5 113 Frank Quayle  RB Virginia
6 131 Wandy Williams  RB Hofstra
6 140 Mike Coleman  RB Tampa
7 165 Al Giffin  TE Auburn
9 217 Henry Jones  RB Grambling State
10 244 Jim Smith  DB Utah State
11 270 Alan Pastrana  QB Maryland
12 296 Wes Plummer  DB Arizona State
13 321 John Sias  LB Georgia Tech
14 348 Garry Crane  LB Arkansas State
15 373 Errol Kahoun  G Miami (OH)
16 400 Billy Woods  DB North Texas State
17 425 Buster O'Brien  QB Richmond
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents
1969 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
George Burrell Defensive back Penn
Ken Criter Linebacker Wisconsin

Personnel

Staff
1969 Denver Broncos staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches

Roster
1969 Denver Broncos roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 27 Tom Oberg S (IR)


Practice squad



Rookies in italics

Source:

Regular season
Main article: 1969 American Football League season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Recap
1 September 14 Boston Patriots W 35–7 1–0 Mile High Stadium 43,482 Recap
2 September 21 New York Jets W 21–19 2–0 Mile High Stadium 50,583 Recap
3 September 28 at Buffalo Bills L 28–41 2–1 War Memorial Stadium 40,302 Recap
4 October 5 Kansas City Chiefs L 13–26 2–2 Mile High Stadium 50,564 Recap
5 October 12 Oakland Raiders L 14–24 2–3 Mile High Stadium 49,511 Recap
6 October 19 at Cincinnati Bengals W 30–23 3–3 Nippert Stadium 27,920 Recap
7 October 26 at Houston Oilers L 21–24 3–4 Astrodome 45,348 Recap
8 November 2 San Diego Chargers W 13–0 4–4 Mile High Stadium 45,511 Recap
9 November 9 at Oakland Raiders L 10–41 4–5 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 54,416 Recap
10 November 16 Houston Oilers T 20–20 4–5–1 Mile High Stadium 45,002 Recap
11 November 23 at San Diego Chargers L 24–45 4–6–1 San Diego Stadium 34,664 Recap
12 November 27 at Kansas City Chiefs L 17–31 4–7–1 Municipal Stadium 48,773 Recap
13 December 7 at Miami Dolphins L 24–27 4–8–1 Miami Orange Bowl 25,332 Recap
14 December 14 Cincinnati Bengals W 27–16 5–8–1 Mile High Stadium 42,198 Recap

Note:

  • Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
  • Thursday (November 27: Thanksgiving)[2]

Standings
AFL Western Division
W L T PCT DIV PF PA STK
Oakland Raiders 1211.9237–1377242W6
Kansas City Chiefs 1130.7865–3359177L1
San Diego Chargers 860.5712–6288276W4
Denver Broncos 581.3853–5297344W1
Cincinnati Bengals 491.3083–5280367L5

Note: Tie games were not officially counted in the standings until 1972.

References
  1. "AFL closes its 'career'". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. December 15, 1969. p. 14.
  2. Jeansonne, John (November 28, 1969). "Dawson hurts knee again in Kansas City's 31-17 win over Denver". Youngstown Vindicator. (Ohio). UPI. p. 20.
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