1987 AFC Championship Game Cleveland at Denver

Hopefully the sound is better now.

[@30907bng]

You knew when Enberg&Olsen were on the marquee calling the games you would ALWAYS see a classic. R.I.P gentleman you are greatly missed.

[@KeithCarey33]

They were great guys.

[@jrino1979]

When comparing these two great guys to michaels and Collingsworrh and even buck and aikman, it’s not really close

[@bradjames891]

I have never heard a classier PBP man than Dick Enberg. I watch old games for inspiration to be the most gentlemanly media I can possibly be.

[@juliansmith4352]

@@jrino1979 comparing Enberg olsen on NBC they were coca cola Madden Summerall are more like Pepsi on CBS in the mid 80s when NBC had 3 college football main Bowl games Dick enberg & Merlin Olsen were the broadcasters for the Rose Bowl game in Pasenda California NBC and CBS in the mid 80s were the networks that showed 8 Super bowls in that decade guess who were the announcers for those networks

[@juliansmith4352]

@@bradjames891 the great Pat Summerall on CBS in the 80s after working the 1980 NFL season with Tom Brookshier then the great pro football broadcasting duo happened in 1981 he and John Madden started that year he let the picture tell the story like the 86 playoff game give the ball to joe Morris and morris is gone

[@miami8089]

Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen were an awesome team. They worked great together.

[@joeyrincones9308]

I always felt that Enberg & Olsen were better than Summerall & Brookshire or Madden. Enberg brought excitement to the booth and to the fans watching at home.

[@dantegood2195]

Miami 808 - Merlin Olsen was terrible. Like someone’s old senile grandpa wandered into the booth

[@jeremythompson9122]

Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy were great too

[@bertrice999]

Enberg was too corny with the "oh my". He was more suited for tennis or baseball

[@apisani22]

​@@joeyrincones9308 I disagree 100%. Enberg sounds sad when Cleveland scores in this game. I guess he was an Elway fanboy first and foremost but always seemed to get caught up in the excitement of the home team doing well from what I recall. Summerall was simply the best.

[@briang624]

Debris on the field during play, Tackling by the helmet, players taking off their helmets and arguing with refs, players fighting and throwing the football at other players in frustration. None of this would stand in 2018. But damn that's some real football right there.

[@NYG5]

Brian G I know, what is with all the shit being thrown on the field in these old games

[@yorkshire3939]

Truly nostalgic. Will never be that way again unfortunately

[@agt462]

when football was football.......those were the days

[@robertwalker7343]

And no kneeling

[@777zippy777]

@@robertwalker7343 Does that offend your delicate sensibilities, snowflake? When players kneel during the playing of a stupid-ass song? "God damn fuckin' disrespectful sons a bitches!! Stand up for the anthem, you ungrateful fucks!!!" (... says the fat ass while he's lying on his couch with his chips and beer...)

[@yorkshire3939]

Byner was exhausted. Poor guy. If it wasn't for him we wouldn't have been as close as we were. Great game.

[@ernestboykin3rd706]

That's makes it all the more sad in the perspective that Byner kept the Browns in the game until the Dawgs played D in the 2nd half

[@marktwain4538]

ya..im sorry, he s gotta hold on there..i surely dont hold any grudges, love byner..gr8 player and Brown

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

He had 15 rushes for 67 yards. He caught seven passes for 120 yards. That is what Ernest Byner did in this game. Without him, it's a blowout.

[@dantheman5745]

Example #4,937 of how Browns fans just can't catch a break: 1987 was a strike year, and it potentially ruined a Super Bowl season for the Browns. The players went on strike after Week #2, wiping out all games scheduled for Week #3. The season resumed for Week #4, with replacement players being used for Weeks #4-6. This AFC Championship Game was played in Denver because the Broncos were the #1 seed, with a 10-4-1 record, a half-game better than the #2 seeded Browns, who went 10-5. For Weeks #4-6, both the Broncos and Browns went 2-1, both losing to Houston, and both beating teams they likely would've beaten anyway if the regular starters had played. So the results of the replacement games probably did not affect AFC playoff seeding. But then there's Week #3. The game that got wiped out by the strike was Denver at Cleveland. The Browns regulars were 5-1 at home in 1987, while the Broncos regulars were 2-3-1 away from Mile High. Cleveland had a higher-scoring offense than Denver, and a lower-scoring defense as well. Had that game in Week #3 been played, and had Cleveland won it, Clevland would've finished 11-5, while Denver would've finished 10-5-1. And the 1987 AFC Championship Game would've been played in Cleveland, not Denver. What could've been....

[@roninkraut6873]

Probably another drive or fumble...but I’m a Broncos fan so I’m biased. I wouldn’t mind have seeing a Browns/Giants super bowl or Browns/Redskins super bowl. It would have been interesting

[@eugenedenbrook322]

You are 100% correct. I well remember this whine season. Weird year, but one of my favourites. Dickerson going to Indy, Saints finally making the playoffs, Rice with 23 tds in like 13 games...

[@bigbline405]

I believe some of the old browns had said that too in 1989 they did it during the regular season

[@herbertpetrillo485]

@@roninkraut6873 at least closer.denver was humiliated.the browns may not have beaten the giants, but they would be giving up 30 points in 1 half....or giving up 35 points- in 1 quarter!...or 600 yards either.

[@joeomalley2835]

I was rooting very hard for the Browns in this game, despite it's outcome. Definitely a memorable game.

[@SingleTax]

10:07 - The loss of Carl Hairston was devastating to the Browns. Never realized that until many years later after watching the game again.

[@mikesanders3246]

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you a perfect example of a football game played with actual athletes. No showboating. No corporate named stadiums. No political agenda. No overly protective rules. No grandstanding after every play. Just people who love to play the game..

[@dantegood2195]

Mike Sanders - old man shouts at clouds...just a heads up: old people who grew up in the 60s were saying the same nonsense about 80s and 90s athletes

[@tonyiacomi4822]

@@dantegood2195 That's actually not true at all Sanders. Because the game hadn't changed that much, and NONE of this bullshit political stuff was an issue.

[@markwalsh2340]

Agreed. Rule changes for player safety coupled with too much corporate money, too much social media, too many outside agendas have changed the game. I still love it but it was a tougher, purer sport then. Mud and blood, guts and glory.

[@mr.johnson6897]

The same athletes who play now love it as well. Can't fault them for the extra perks, leeway, and rule changes. LOL!

[@jaydaire139]

When the #1 announcing team didn't have to have an ex-quarterback on the team. Great Days!

[@jacksonconley5117]

CBS had a former QB on their broadcast team. Bob Griese was an announcer for CBS when they broadcasted the Drive last year.

[@therldrewduncan]

My pop had this game recorded. I still have this entire memorized from watching it over and over again as a kid growing up. He was on the road a lot (traveling salesman) and when he'd come home we'd talk about it. RIP pop

[@williamwhalen7764]

I’m a diehard steeler fan, but the only time I felt sorry for the browns was this game, 2 years in row and in my opinion they had the better team.

[@rrod7958]

Im broncos fan and I would agree with that elway carried this team he was a one man gang. I actually feel bad for browns fans too both loses to us the drive and fumble had to be painful and heartbreaking. My most heartbreaking loss that took me months and months to get over was when broncos got upset by the Jaguars. We had home field I was thinking super bowl that season.I wasn’t sure if always would get super bowl shot again before he retired so I had never felt so down like that after a loss before. The next season the chiefs playoff game was the most nervous and intense anxiety I feel like I was too light headed was home pass out because I was so nervous because I wanted the super bowl real bad that year. I was more confident we could be the Steelers the following week because elway owned Pittsburgh but I knew chiefs always played us very tough. The way football used to be

[@bryanb5353]

You're right except for one position QB

[@jimbotc2000]

The good old days. The good old uniforms. The good old game.

[@herbertpetrillo485]

And no blm B.S.

[@sipesthebest128]

@herbertpetrillo485, Unfortunately, a B.S. comment ruins it for the rest of us.

[@jimbotc2000]

By the way, what is blm B.S.?

[@MIKIEEYEZ1975]

You need a good old Doctor!! 😂😂😂🤡🤡🤡💩💩💩😎

[@Umberto2]

We forgive you Earnest. -sincerely, Cleveland

[@garynixon9035]

LeBron made a point of mentioning that at there victory parade !!!!!!

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

He had 15 rushes for 67 yards. He caught seven passes for 120 yards. That is what Ernest Byner did in this game. Without him, it's a blowout.

[@eugenedenbrook322]

Grew up loving the Broncos, but I did feel bad for Byner. Very good back, played a great game. Was so sure he was going in for a score...

[@thefrase7884]

His td with the extra point only ties it

[@Umberto2]

After that incomplete pass to Byner in the end zone, you could see how gassed Byner was. He shouldn’t have been the one to take that handoff. He had already given everything he had.

[@billkeogh639]

When football was football.

[@yousircantknow8987]

Bill Keogh amen

[@mikethomas5231]

Bill Keogh:👍👍👍👍👍.

[@pinksasquatch]

Today, the tv picture quality is so much better, but the football back then was so much better.

[@tomhood7343]

Old school football smash mouth

[@davidgeoghegan8506]

Not this current football nonsense.. That was the glory decade of football..!

[@jeff5624]

I was at this game, at 13 years old. So awesome!!

[@misterpowell6612]

One of the best playoff games I can remember.

[@CJinsoo]

Mister Powell Agreed. When the games are labeled by things like “The Drive, “The Fumble” or “The Catch” it is easy to forget the fullness of the game. There are so many plays in these games that had they gone other ways would have changed the outcome. But you also miss that the Browns were basically smoked off the field in the first half and should have been toast in this game. Incredible poise and grit by the Browns to show up as they did in the 2nd half.

[@crawford371]

RIP Dan Reeves

[@frankmogavero6052]

what a game.... these announcers are amazing

[@clintwiz]

love Dick Enberg

[@gmorales14]

Video proof that the Browns were actually Super Bowl contenders once upon a time.

[@jeremythompson9122]

The Browns were a great franchise at one time. They went to 7 NFL Championship Games in 8 years in the 50's...winning 3 of them. Then they won the 64 NFL Championship and also appeared in the 65 and 68 Championship Games but lost to Lombardi's Packers in 65 and Don Shula's Colts in 68. They declined a bit in the 70's but we're contenders again all through the 80's

[@CJinsoo]

“The Drive” game the previous year, there is no way that kick in OT was good. The refs. just shrugged and sprinted to their locker room. The Browns were robbed, although Kosar played poorly, unfortunately.

[@JDAbelRN]

@@CJinsoo yes, that field goal was definitely missed, but, ce la vie.

[@orangecrush798]

Be happy they've won 2 super bowls in Baltimore!

[@markwalsh2340]

Rule changes that benefit player safety now are the reason all the top all time passers are either currently playing or recently retired. Knowing that it takes almost nothing for a defensive player to get flagged has freed up QB's to throw all over the place. Back then QB's lived in fear of getting blasted which is why their yardage number matter more. They came alot harder than in today's NFL.

[@director7685]

NBC had awesome football graphics, intros, and announcers!!!!

[@danohimm22]

Good old school football! Love the 70's & 80's NFL, When I was a young buck...

[@jeffbach7366]

Thanks for the upload, I remember being in 8th grade and watching game with my dad both of us sitting on edge of our seats, up and down every play. Browns fans for life.😎

[@rayehill9578]

Great game

[@lishsc3]

It’s amazing how true that old adage is…….”What goes around, comes around”…….4 years later a lot of these same Denver Broncos coaches and players would feel the EXACT same pain that Cleveland and their fans felt on this day. In the 1991 AFC championship game at Buffalo, the Broncos came back from the dead only to fumble the ball with 1:00 to play with a chance to tie with a field goal.

[@bosskey7212]

2 Great QB's, 2 Great Coaches, 2 Great announcers, 2 Great games that happened 2 years in a row. As sad for Byner as I was after this game I honestly didn't feel like the Browns were going to win. There was something about Elway and the Broncos that just seemed like he had the Browns number and I wasn't surprised by the outcome, that just seeemed to be the fate of Schottenheimer coached teams. Really wish he could have gotten that Superbowl win atleast once. He and Reeves were both class acts. Atleast Byner was able to get a SB later on with the Redskins. These were some of the best times in the NFL's history. No fantasy teams, no over hyped media scrutiny, no social media, and you had to be a tough SOB to play in this era, ESPECIALLY if you were a QB. Good times

[@brainspin7518]

Well said.

[@matta3968]

Welcome to the city of Cleveland(unless you're John Elway).

[@markwalsh2340]

Football looks shinier and glossier now but it was better back then. Tougher. Harder. You knew you were taking your chances playing this game for a living which made the painful quest for glory more glorious. I'm glad the game is safer now but I miss the days when greatness was more hard earned.

[@georgehahn6149]

To people who want to blame Earnest Byner for the loss, Byner along with Kosar was one of the main reasons the Browns got back in the game after falling far behind

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

He had 15 rushes for 67 yards. He caught seven passes for 120 yards. That is what Ernest Byner did in this game. Without him, it's a blowout.

[@gluserty]

@@ChrisBakerauthor I agree, Byner kept the Browns in it. Trying to win an AFC title down 18 points on the road isn't something that should be attempted, and even if the Browns score the tying TD, who says they win the game anyway? Maybe Elway leads another scoring drive, or a major flag sets up Denver's winning score and someone else on the Browns ends up looking bad. Who knows.

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

Why did the Broncos get rid of these helmets and uniforms? I like them better than what they currently have.

[@area.man.]

That is the 1990s for you. Everyone had to be on the cutting edge.

[@rrod7958]

These old school uniforms is what I grew up watching I do miss them.

[@heathermckibbin7291]

Browns would have given the 86 Giants and 87 Redskins alot more trouble than the Broncos 1 man team. Shame they choked these 2 AFC champ games away

[@duewhit310]

Browns beat Giants 1985 regular season. Yes it would have been a good game.

[@rkid727]

If only they could have beaten this one man team just once.

[@mr.johnson6897]

Meh. Browns would've choked against the Skins and G-Men...just like they did in those 2 Champ. games! LOL!

[@eugenedenbrook322]

True. But that's how great Elway was. Numbers don't tell the whole story of clutch. That and some Mile High magic, which ambushed teams other than the Browns.

[@cameleyez]

@@duewhit310 Broncos beat the skins in 87 too. Don't mean a thing once u in the big game.

[@steve1220871]

the effort by Mark Jackson on the 80 yard TD can't be forgotten..amazing. and huge

[@herbertpetrillo485]

The pass by relay was amazing.only he could do it

[@graciemaemarie11jones16]

you mean elway.f jackson. elway made it.

[@robkerns4997]

Geeze what a game , imagine if the browns didn’t turn over the ball 3 times in the first half , or the refs didn’t take the Brennan fumble , don’t matter it’s all in the past , obviously there is a curse on the browns . They were fun to watch though , a lot like the 2023 browns , a lot like them ! Ty friend for downloading that for everyone!!! Ty and god bless everyone!

[@shayhicks7682]

RIP Dick Enberg

[@thefrase7884]

And Merlin Olsen

[@ChristopherWalrath]

1:32:10 Thanks for the game. Don't think I will ever forget that play and that call. "Jackson gets a first down and more. He may go all the way! Touchdown!"

[@monmixer]

Thanks for posting this. I was at work that day and only heard it on the radio. I have never seen the entire game.

[@CutandShoot5x5]

Thank you Virgil for these oldies but goodies! There are so many takeaways from this game...one that caught my attention is the sportsmanship between players!

[@biffroberts1007]

RIP to one of the GREAT ONES in Merlin Olsen.

[@30907bng]

Biff Roberts Merlin was a great announcer and I could always tell from listening to him that he was an even greater man and person r.i.p Merlin.

[@biffroberts1007]

I concur.

[@ryanstrnad8442]

This was the year he went without a mustache, any reason for it? -I saw Merlin going up thru the grandstand to the press box in Milwaukee for one of his CBS games (when the Packers used to play some games there) he was huge.

[@TMC1982Part2]

I'm guessing that the Abe Lincoln look was because Merlin Olsen was shooting his short-lived show for NBC, "Aaron's Way", where he played an Amish Man. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron%27s_Way

[@goldenraven2046]

And RIP Dick Enberg as well.

[@ClassicJukeboxBand]

This is a game with a name. It's called "The Fumble". To get more views, The Fumble should be in the title...

[@jampay44]

Who is more 1987 than Bob Golic? 2:08:39 The shirt, the mullet. He's 1987 to the bone.

[@ninjamaster7706]

THE COOL GOLIC BROTHER,That sweater had some kind of horse on it,wait he jinxed the browns

[@videoverite7753]

But, damn, he left the acid washed jeans at home.

[@Aokoebor]

el_jimador 73 I was about to be one year old at 1988 the drive was on the day I was born in 1987 but I feel horrible for earnest byner because if it wasn’t for him the browns would have gotten their ass kicked you must feel really bad when this team the team with all the bad luck out of nowhere win two super bowls as the Baltimore ravens

[@yorkshire3939]

Exactly, so 80s!

[@joemamma416]

me and my wife were married right out of high school in 87. my mullet has been immortalized forever in the wedding pictures. it was so cool at the time.

[@rickjohnson1266]

Madden and Summerall, Enberg and Olsen. The very best teams to call football there every was. They made football fun to watch even for those people who didn't know the game.

[@clintwiz]

heck yea

[@joshuamcneal]

Loved the NFL in the 80s. I memorized the stat books then.

[@vwm8534]

Joshua, I have a theory on this. Were you a teen or early 20's in the 80's? It seems like most people love the era they grew up watching the most. I know my favorites were the late 60's and 70's.

[@joshuamcneal]

@@vwm8534 you're correct. My 4 years in high school had the 3 Broncos Super Bowls. I was given a stat book once and wore the cover of it off. No internet, only network TV and 1 ESPN channel. I would have been a fantasy football God back then, but I've never approached it. No time for it, or interest anymore. Always a Rams and Broncos fan, but lived in Pittsburgh for a few years when Roethlisberger was just starting. Pittsburgh was/is a great football city.

[@SingleTax]

I'm sure Joe Gibbs studied this game very closely and -- being a former offensive coordinator under Don Coryell -- took note of how the Browns exposed how vulnerable the Broncos were defensively, and promptly began drawing up an offensive game plan based on that analysis. The end result? A five touchdown explosion in the 2nd quarter of Super Bowl XXII. Not enough necessary adjustments were made by the Denver coaching staff between that game and the 1989 season, so they get blown out *again* in Super Bowl XXIV (only this time by the 49ers).

[@tiatrips]

Having heard a lot of stories about how detailed Joe Gibbs was with studying tape, I can believe that.

[@jamesroberts1810]

Back to back championship losses..browns fans were bummed im sure..m

[@robertslydell6990]

After watching this I have to wonder if the Browns would have given the Redskins a better battle. I'd bet yes, big time.

[@SingleTax]

@@robertslydell6990 A high school football team would have given the Redskins a better battle. The Broncos simply self-destructed that day.

[@tangowhiskeytrailertranspo6662]

There were 11 players on defense for Denver in Super Bowl XXII and only 10 of them had grass stains on their uniforms. Tony Lilly was the lone holdout.

[@raymarkjenkins3872]

looking Back many.. many years..I have great Respect for..Marty shotinhimer..hell they named a style of football style of play for him ** MARTY BALL ** much respect given to him...from anyone who has a ounce of RESPECT for compitition..

[@bradjames891]

Schottenheimer is an all-time great. He will never get the plaudits he deserves because of perpetually being flummoxed by Elway.

[@area.man.]

Never understood why the Chargers fired him. He had them on the verge of being a small dynasty. Although he had a strained relationship with Brees that in hindsight probably prevented a championship.

[@fredthompson4568]

Lindy Infante...TY for your 2 years in Jacksonville. Great Bulls teams. USFL 84/85.

[@nattychamps9098]

I feel so bad for Earnest. No player deserves hate mail or death threats no matter what he did. Sports fans can be assholes sometimes and the worst of humanity. It’s called mistakes get over it. He gave you everything Cleveland and that’s how you treat him?

[@NZ92673]

Webster Slaughter standing and loafing around when he should have been blocking, cost the Browns a touchdown. He deserves some blame too. Denver's defense, while not overpowering was smart and creative, especially with forcing turnovers. Without Byner's contributions, the game ends in a Denver blowout.

[@anthonybidgood8764]

At least Earnest got a Super Bowl Ring later with my favorite team the Washington Redskins.

[@brianbachmeier34]

Natty Champs He is a classy guy. After 30 years he is still is helping educate people about how the fumble and also winning super bowl and a PART of your experiences. One thing doesn't define you.

[@ninjamaster7706]

He was better then any rb the broncos had on their roster,he starred in the USFL as well

[@yousircantknow8987]

Ninja Master We didn't need a star at RB, we had John.

[@chefsanders9151]

when watching these old games it amazes me how much the current NFL throughly sucks

[@rrod7958]

This is real man football right here

[@BlastaThrasha]

Slaughter was killing that "cabbage patch" dance... I love the nostalgia..trash and all!!!

[@markwalsh2340]

Jerry Rice did a mean Cabbage Patch too. Good times

[@JohnnyBGood11]

Heart breaking loss but the Broncos got their ass handed to them like they always did in the 1980's in Super Bowls.

[@markyun6177]

Yes they did good old Doug Willams

[@area.man.]

NFC was just blow the doors off dominant in the mid to late 80s. I don't know of any AFC team that would have handled the Bears, Giants or Redskins those years. The Patriots and Broncos sure couldn't.

[@orangecrush798]

Someone sounds bitter and jealous.

[@area.man.]

@@orangecrush798 Me, or Johnny? Hopefully you don't mean me, I am a Broncos fan.

[@JohnnyBGood11]

@@orangecrush798 Some sounds like an Idiot, what I said was the truth the NFC was just too much for the AFC in the 1980's

[@ArmHeavySoCal]

This is one of the NFL 100 greatest games ever. Cleveland Browns fans may have remember both classic AFC Championship Game in 2 straight years vs. Denver Broncos.

[@mikes6457]

Wish NBC would bring that intro back.

[@yorkshire3939]

These are the best uploads ever. Nostalgic. I remember watching this game with my pops when I was 7 years old.

[@donwilcox728]

Look at how awesome these uniforms and helmets look. Simple and classic. Today both team's uniforms suck and are impossible to watch and enjoy. Look at the field. Real frozen grass and dirt. No shiny synthetic fibers in site. Look at the stadium. Raw and intimidating. No rap around electronic screens begging the crowd to cheer and make noise. Look at the crowd. In their seats and into the game. Not at food courts or in stadium bars. This was football. The NFL that I grew up on and enjoyed so much. Today, honestly I have not watched a full game in at least 20 years. And none at all in the last 10. The ugly uniforms, nondescript stadiums, instant replay and call reversals for every centimeter, and players celebrating after every play even when behind by four touchdowns is just too much to take. I went from being totally invested to totally not caring. But its the same with every sport. NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, pro wrestling. Even music today. Its just over!!!!!

[@brainspin7518]

AGREED! Things are just soooo.....sterile..synthetic compared to the rawness and creativity of the 80s (90s & 70s too)! After the 90s were over is when I started to take note of the lack of progression you usually see from decade to decade..It's as if people just quit advancing creativity: in music, movies, sports (it's advanced but overall not in a good way), cars, & even in politics. the only real obivous positive step forward is technology (computers/cell phones)! shame....we should have listen to our parents & grandparents, they tried to warn us (the good ole days clause) lol.

[@therldrewduncan]

My dad has this game on vhs...I've seen it countless times!!! Man, Elway played an incredible game. Defensively, Denver played great until the second half. Reeves, Really got our coached on so many occasions. It is a wonder how he made it to four, Super Bowls.

[@jeremythompson9122]

The AFC was really weak throughout most of the 80's and 90's. The NFC won 13 straight Super Bowls from 1984-96 by an average score of 38-17. The only 2 Super Bowls even worth watching during that span were SB23(Bengals vs 49ers) and SB25(Bills vs Giants)...two of the best Super Bowls ever played. Denver looked good in the first half of their SB against the Giants but totally collapsed in the 2nd half. And I have no idea how they got blown out in 87 by the Redskins because that Skins team was not that good. I thought the Broncos had em beat after the 1st quarter but then we all know what happened in the 2nd. The SB against the 49ers was over by halftime

[@juanpabloperez9063]

​@@jeremythompson9122the superbowl vs the niners was over before the game start

[@MIKIEEYEZ1975]

Merlin Olsen was there best color man/analyst of all time!! Yes, that includes John Madden!! I actually liked Lenny Dawson & John Brodie in the 70’s & early 80’s.

[@tjocus43]

That first play of the game where Kosar was sacked would probably be a penalty today because he touched his helmet, lol.

[@robertslydell6990]

When I watch these old games half the fun is watching perfectly good football plays that would be penalties today. Or officiating calls that would turn into 10-minute booth reviews today.

[@mikes6457]

That intro music needs to come back. Just really set the tone for the magnitude of the occasion.

[@CJinsoo]

So glad that the Broncos got steamrolled in the Superbowl.

[@rrod7958]

Join broncos country We all about division titles and championships

[@mikethomas614]

Not a fan of either team, but in this particular case that doesn't matter.This was one of the all time great games.That's why I love the NFL. R. I.P Mr.Enberg.

[@andystewart581]

Watching this to hopefully see my wife and mother in law. season ticket holders. Mary passed away this year. I dread tomorrow. First turkey day my wife will not be able to talk to her parents. We lost her father a month later. Neither to the virus. They had 63 years together. Miss them both.

[@vwm8534]

Did you see them in the video?

[@andystewart581]

@@vwm8534 No

[@brainspin7518]

Sorry to hear that man...God Bless!

[@MrZapman]

For the second year in a row, the better team lost. For the second year in a row, Denver got their tail whipped in the Super Bowl.

[@rkid727]

Ernie WVU in the super bowl, however. Key words.

[@rkid727]

truealchemy they weren’t as good as NYG, but they were very good.

[@juanhawsman244]

@@truealchemy2 browns toss dude salads

[@eugenedenbrook322]

Except that, if one team beats another team 3 out of 3, in the playoffs, that kinda makes them the better team, doesn't it? 😉 I get what you're saying, but the only result that matters is the final score.

[@thefrase7884]

Sorry but the team that drives 98 yards on the road in a conference championship game and then wins it in OT does not defeat a team that’s better than them

[@jeremythompson9122]

Marty Schottenheimer...the greatest head coach in NFL history that never even made a Super Bowl appearance. Marty gets a bad rap for that but I personally think he was a great coach. The 88 Browns are maybe his best coaching job ever...when he got the Browns into the playoffs with Grandpa Don Strock at QB. I couldn't believe it when San Diego fired him after the 06 season when he went 14-2. Wasn't his fault Marlon McCree didn't just fall down after he picked off Brady. Instead he tried being cute and fumbled it back to the Pats...who went on to win 24-21. Not Marty's fault Byner fumbled in 87 and not his fault Lin Elliott missed 3 FG's at home against the Colts in the 95 playoffs either. And I still say Karlis' kick was no good in OT of the 86 AFC Championship. Same exact way the Baltimore Colts got screwed by the refs in 1965 against Lombardi's Packers. Referee Jim Tunney signals good after the Packers FG attempt and it clearly wasnt good. It cost the Colts the Western Division crown and a berth in the 65 NFL Championship Game

[@arsonhakobyan]

What was Schottenheimer's fault however, was not making the obvious right move in starting Rich Gannon in the 97 Divisional Round vs. coincidentally, these Broncos (not the same Broncos of course, other than #7). Elvis Grbac was 7-2 as a starter, while Gannon 6-1, which in terms of wins & losses is pretty negligible. But the Chiefs were blowing people out of stadiums w/ Gannon, running the ball better, passing it more efficiently, highlighted by the 44-9 thrashing of the #1 NFC seed 49ers. They beat the Broncos w/ Gannon, but lost to them w/ Grbac. They looked like a different team w/ Gannon. There was no reason to break the rhythm. I understand going back to Grbac once he got healthy, if he was like a Marino or Elway, but he wasn't, he was only about a tier above avg. starting QB. Other than that, Marty was a great regular season coach, love Marty ball, he did have some bad luck in big games, but the QB controversy at end of 97, was an example of Marty not being able to get out of Marty's way sometimes.

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

He had 15 rushes for 67 yards. He caught seven passes for 120 yards. That is what Ernest Byner did in this game. Without him, it's a blowout.

[@mabalicksbyyuo-sr7xk]

Fumbling bum

[@christopherhoffman1691]

I just love all these Broncos memories I would love to see more snow games and old Broncos football games

[@youtubepro9201]

Just watch the Washington Redskins beat the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl 42-10 over and over and over and over again

[@roninkraut6873]

@@youtubepro9201 Salty Browns fan. Dude, let it go. It’s been over 30 years

[@youtubepro9201]

@@roninkraut6873 I'm a Redskins fan since 1982 I was little then the 1986-87 Broncos was just lucky and they got what they deserve in the Super Bowl plain and simple

[@roninkraut6873]

@@youtubepro9201 Nah, Denver wasn’t bad. I guess you could call them lucky but the D was top in takeaways. I don’t know if you’ve watched the game recently or just the nfl highlights but Denver is in it and then the 2nd quarter happens but then Denver tightens up again. Denver was leading the Giants at halftime in 86. The only true blowout was the 55-10 Niners game. But trust me it sucked being a Broncos fan until the Bills blew 4 Super Bowls and suddenly people weren’t making fun of ya so much for losing 3

[@youtubepro9201]

@@roninkraut6873 I watch the game live on tv January of 1988 Stop making excuses/being delusional the final scores was all blowout in those 3 Super Bowls.... (Hail to the Redskins lmao) 🏈😉👍

[@Hotspur77]

Maybe it wouldn't have mattered...but on the long TD to Mark Jackson in the 3rd quarter, Ellis DOES catch Jackson from behind before Jackson gets ball across the plane of the endzone (1:34:51). Hard to tell the exact spot, but it would have been somewhere around the 1 yard line. In a wild game like this one, that could have been the difference between a TD and a FG. And maybe between defeat and victory. In the '86 AFC Championship Game, the Browns similarly came within a hairsbreadth of victory...the OT FG by Karlis was *this* close to being wide left (some think it was - the video evidence is ambiguous). But here? Jackson is down at around the 1.

[@CJinsoo]

Been quite a while since I heard a commercial blast for GTE communications.

[@dalebechtel8904]

Hearing the great voices of enberg and Olson. Miss them

[@bellsboy]

Two thumbs up

[@billny33]

NBC really got a lot of reaction shots from a devastated Browns sideline once Byner fumbled. Networks don't really do that anymore, focus on the loser more than the winner. I remember them also doing that for Buffalo when they lost to Dallas for the second time and 4th straight Super Bowl loss. There are situations like those that merit putting more focus on the pain of defeat and a network doing this shows they are really paying attention and trying to tell the most poignant story possible. I don't think the networks these days are invested enough in the story to do that for most championships. Doesn't fit into their little formula.

[@Hotspur77]

Very keen observation. Another thing the networks used to do was to let the stadium experience take center stage. This meant a sound mix that was more realistic (now the gain on the crowd noise is lowered so the announcers voices are always front & center (in the old days, the announcers actually needed to raise their voices over the roar of the crowd). It also meant stretches of silence from the booth, often after TD's, or in the lead-up to a big 3rd down, so the TV audience could hear the hue and cry of the stadium crowd. I think there is, as you suggest, a key philosophical difference between the network coverage of the 60's, 70's and 80's, and the coverage we see today (2019). In the old days, the networks approached these games as pure sporting events, full of human drama. Announcers did not see themselves as mere "hosts." They were not presenting entertainment for the masses - they were covering a sporting event, and their target audience was the fan. Now, the NFL and the networks see sports and pop culture as one...they cater to non-sports fans, and see everything as "entertainment." Back in 1988...network NFL coverage was for football fans (mostly guys, btw) and made NO concessions to anyone outside that target audience. And the TV experience was all the better for it.

[@davidgeoghegan8506]

Definitely a classic

[@markyun6177]

I cried like a baby after that game!!!!Go Browns

[@crawford371]

RIP Marty Schottenheimer

[@frankienewman9664]

What a classic two years in a row between these two teams, I often wonder how the Browns may have done in teh Super Bowl.

[@brockgeorge777]

Blaming Byner for the Cleveland loss always seemed absurd to me. Without his play that day they don’t even come *close*. A fumble on the way to the end zone didn’t beat them; digging themselves a 3 - 21 first half deficit did!

[@brainspin7518]

I blame coaching more than Byners effort @ the end.

[@thefrase7884]

Even if he scores they still need the extra point and that only would have tied it.

[@cedericocosantorini8013]

Awesome game. For me, the MVP award goes to Kosar.

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

This game provided a manual to Joe Gibbs on how a team could score on Denver's defense. It definitely should have been a big red flag for the Broncos. Of course, the Redskins scored 35 points in one quarter against them in the Super Bowl.

[@genekelley7579]

🛑🛑 Is it me, or is this REAL Professional Football, compared to todays Game Flag Football NFL?? 😂👍💯

[@SaskRider2]

That's some beard Merlin Olsen was sporting. I bet he was filming Aaron's Way at around the same time as this game.

[@DanMeyer80]

I was getting so into the game, at the end I thought my Browns were gonna get the touchdown to win, only to remember Im watching a youtube video of a game that happened 36 years ago

[@gabriel-1957]

You will never see announcers like this again John Madden Pat Summerall Dick Endberg Merlin Olson,Kurt Gowdy they were the best!

[@MIKIEEYEZ1975]

I wouldn’t put Gowdy in that group.. He was horrible & an egomaniac!!

[@James-jf1sc]

Shotinheimer was a nice Coach. I met him once, a humble person.

[@johnlevalley521]

Unfortunately for Broncos fans like me, the second half meltdown of the Denver defense foreshadowed the 35 points they would surrender in the 2nd quarter of Super Bowl XXII two weeks later.

[@texasstadium]

Yes. Not a Denver fan but what happened in that Super Bowl with 'Skins?

[@johnlevalley521]

@@texasstadium it started out well. TD on the first play from scrimmage and and 10-0 lead. Then the 2nd quarter happened. They had beaten Washington 31-30 the year before so I certainly never expected that debacle.

[@gregg5753]

awesome rebroadcast of original classic game (like bill's comment below 'when football waz football)! love the Elway stats shown 1:22:14, 5 for 11 passing, 59 yds, thoze r comparable to opening drive and/or mid 1st quarter stats to nowadayz pinball football we stuck with

[@artismcqueen2147]

Thanks for Letting me Too I sincerely Now Let To Super Bowl I have Like Denver Colorado listen to yours

[@craighouse1279]

I played next to Anthony Munoz and he was the best ever. Before each game he would eat a big plate of refried beans and then shit on himself. His steaming logs would keep the defenders away and made him slippery.

[@Shabba6884]

Had some of the same dynamics as Saints/Vikings a few weeks ago. Home team dominates first half, road team dominates the second half and comes within a mental mistake of taking it and going to the Super Bowl. Enberg and Olsen were like Madden and Summerall on CBS in that the pair is irreplaceable. Wish I could dub in the voices of either duo for all NFL games I watch these days.

[@DNSKansas]

Um, the Saints-Vikings game wasn't a conference championship. The Vikings were utterly destroyed by the Eagles and didn't get to the Super Bowl.

[@StFidjnr]

so good that mr ebersol give ed sabol an offer to put this game on one of the NFL's greatest games and Mr ebersol said it on 1 condition put it with NBC feed

[@ericradford2142]

StFidjnr even though the narration and interviews were light out of respect for 9/11. (This aired in December of 2001 three months after the 9/11 terrorist incidents.)

[@ezsmith3765]

I still believe that if Cleveland gets past Denver in ‘86 and ’87 they win ONE 🏟 SB from either the Giants or Redskins. One or the other, not both. Between Denver, Cleveland and the NFC SB representative there was a sort of 🪨 📄 ✂️ situation going on there. PS as far as the ‘89 AFC championship that one doesn’t apply with my theory. NO ONE was beating the 49ers that year. But I do think the Browns get ONE from NY or Washington. PS Enberg & Olsen the #2 NFL announcer team of all time in my opinion. They called some classics. (Madden/Summerall #1)

[@mrsuperbruce]

I was there! Go Broncos!

[@edmccaffrey1]

Karl Mecklenberg said it perfectly that Coach Dan Reeves offensive play calling really hurt John Elways career and the Broncos Super Bowl Bowl performance and record.

[@bradleyhudgins1005]

@Randall Denison Exactly right... Or giving up 39 to the NY Giants or 55 point game to the 49ers. .

[@davidgeoghegan8506]

Merlin Olsen definitely one of the Fearsome Foursome

[@whataboutrob442]

Now that is HOME FIELD advantage!

[@tomhood7343]

Crowd was going crazy here!

[@JDAbelRN]

Loudest crowd and most fanatic and into the game ever.

[@SingleTax]

Was it Earnest Byner's fault the Cleveland defense gave up over 400 yards and 38 points? Of course not. Yet he was scapegoated anyway. Ridiculous.

[@flexiblestrategist9922]

Yep. People will always look at one player. Same as Alshon who just dropped a pass in Eagles/Saints game that could have had scoring implications.He's made many important catches for Eagles but people will remember him for dropping. Don't forget Jackie smith in Cowboys/Steelers Super bowl. He was a great TE who dropped a sure T.D.

[@christopjerfoote5747]

He didn't lose the game Denver probably would have won anyway.

[@heathermckibbin7291]

If it werent for Byner the Browns get blown out. He played out of his mind until the fumble

[@christopjerfoote5747]

@@heathermckibbin7291 he didn't fumble it the ball was stripped away. They called it a fumble it wasn't a fumble. He dydnt drop the football the player grabbed it and held on fur dear life and it was stripped away after the fact. Its even questionable if that's a fair way to win, I don't think it is, the football simply is the tote.

[@rkid727]

SingleTax for his sake, luckily Twitter was 20 years away.

[@chrisuncleahmad]

Little known fun fact about this game- it was the last time for nearly a decade in which the AFC Championship Game was the late game. The next 8 years it was AFC early, NFC late.

[@walterlv01]

Yup - one of the many reasons they moved the conference title games to later in the day years ago was so they could rotate the early and late games between the networks every year instead of one network getting the late (higher-rated) game every season.

[@chrisuncleahmad]

Although I kinda miss the old days of noon starts for Wild Card/Divisional Playoff Saturday. The late starts kinda are a drag IMO.

[@TL2354]

The next time the AFC was the late game was January 1997, Jags @ Pats

[@DNSKansas]

Chris Kreager, to be fair, the NFL had no choice but to put the NFC title game late in '90, '92 and '94 since they were in San Francisco and the AFC site was in the east each time. In '89, had it wanted to put the NFC game in an early window, it would have had to wait until 2:30 ET/11:30 PT in San Francisco, meaning the AFC game would have run well into prime time in the East. As for the others: In '91, '93 and '95, the AFC title games were in Buffalo twice and Pittsburgh once. At that time, the NFL didn't want to play a 4:00 game in a city where it could be brutally cold, especially since Dallas hosted in '93 and '95 and it figured to be relatively warmer. Probably the AFC game should have been late in '91 since Denver was in the AFC game and would have been better for their fans, especially considering when Detroit and Washington was the NFC title game.

[@DNSKansas]

It's all about the benjamins. And 12:30 pm ET games on Saturdays don't bring in the benjamins like prime time ones.

[@James-jf1sc]

Mile stadium was a cozy and close stadium for the fans.

[@smoothALOE]

Bernie Kosar in the 2nd half was about as good as any QB performance I can think of, especially in the playoffs.

[@MsJag1969]

Why in the world would they play such a love song? Why not "Eye of the Tiger" or some other song? Bromance was hard core! 😂

[@videoverite7753]

Lloyd Dobler's eyes were really for Elway?

[@josecarranza7555]

You don't like the song?

[@MsJag1969]

Jose Carranza it’s not whether I like the song or not. I think the song doesn’t fit GHS video. So many choices yet here we are. 🧐

[@tommyl.dayandtherunaways820]

Did we really need to hear Eye of the Tiger for the ten millionth time in a sporting event though? Why not a love song? Try something new for a change.

[@Ghost_of_a_Flea]

Heartbreaking.

[@Jiltedin2007]

Two Weeks Later, the Denver Broncos saw Football History in San Diego that was Very Unpleasant to them!

[@arsonhakobyan]

I still wonder how they fall apart so bad after a 10-0 lead? Their defense was rarely that bad.

[@TuanVan-ne1fg]

that throw at 10:53 left a trail in the air