What Is 1974 Denver Broncos football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1974 Denver Broncos finished with a 7–7 record, marking their first non-losing season in franchise history. Under head coach John Ralston, they played in the AFC West and narrowly missed the playoffs.

Key Facts

The 1974 Denver Broncos finished with a 7–7 record, their first .500 season in team history.
Head coach John Ralston led the team for the final season before being replaced by Red Miller.
Quarterback Craig Morton started 12 games, throwing for 1,815 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defensive end Lyle Alzado recorded 10.5 sacks, leading the team in that category.
The Broncos played home games at Mile High Stadium, averaging over 51,000 fans per game.

Overview

The 1974 Denver Broncos represented a turning point in franchise history, achieving their first non-losing season after years of subpar records. With a final 7–7 record, the team showed significant improvement under head coach John Ralston, who had taken over in 1972 to rebuild a struggling squad.

Playing in the competitive AFC West division, the Broncos hovered around .500 throughout the season and remained in playoff contention until the final weeks. Despite falling short of postseason qualification, the 1974 campaign laid the foundation for future success, including the Super Bowl appearances of the late 1970s.

7–7 record: This was the first time in the Broncos' 15-year history they finished with a .500 win-loss record, a milestone after years of losing seasons.
John Ralston as head coach: Ralston, who previously coached Stanford, led the Broncos from 1972 to 1976 but resigned mid-season in 1976 after conflicts with ownership.
Quarterback situation: Craig Morton started most games, throwing for 1,815 yards and 11 touchdowns, while completing 51.7% of his passes.
Defensive standout: Lyle Alzado recorded 10.5 sacks, becoming one of the team’s most feared pass rushers and earning All-Pro recognition in later years.
Home field: The Broncos played at Mile High Stadium, averaging 51,300 fans per game, reflecting growing local support despite the team’s past struggles.

Season Performance

The 1974 season featured a mix of promising wins and frustrating losses, with the Broncos showing resilience in close games. They defeated division rivals like the San Diego Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, but inconsistent play prevented a playoff berth.

Division standing: The Broncos finished third in the AFC West, behind the Oakland Raiders (12–2) and Pittsburgh Steelers (10–4, though not in division).
Offensive output: The team averaged 18.3 points per game, ranking 17th in the NFL, indicating room for improvement in scoring efficiency.
Defensive effort: The Broncos allowed 18.1 points per game, a solid performance that kept them competitive in most matchups.
Rushing attack: Floyd Little led the ground game with 657 rushing yards on 176 carries, though he was nearing the end of his career.
Pass defense: The secondary intercepted 19 passes on the season, with cornerback Billy Thompson contributing 4 of them.
Special teams: Kicker Rich Sgarlato converted 18 of 25 field goals, providing reliable scoring in tight games.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1974 Broncos to previous and subsequent seasons highlights the team’s progression toward respectability in the mid-1970s.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Playoff Appearance	Key Player
1972	5–9	John Ralston	No	Floyd Little
1973	7–6–1	John Ralston	No	Floyd Little
1974	7–7	John Ralston	No	Craig Morton
1975	6–8	John Ralston	No	Craig Morton
1977	12–2	Red Miller	Yes (Super Bowl XII)	Steve Atwater

The table illustrates how the 1974 season was a transitional year. While not a playoff team, it maintained the momentum from 1973 and preceded the full breakout of 1977, when the Broncos reached Super Bowl XII.

Why It Matters

The 1974 Denver Broncos may not have made the playoffs, but they played a crucial role in the franchise’s evolution from perennial losers to contenders. Their .500 record symbolized progress and built fan confidence during a critical rebuilding phase.

Foundation for future success: The 1974 season helped establish a culture of competitiveness that culminated in the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in 1977.
Player development: Young defenders like Tom Jackson and Randy Gradishar gained experience that would make them defensive leaders in the late 1970s.
Coaching transition: John Ralston’s tenure paved the way for Red Miller, who took over in 1977 and led the team to its first Super Bowl.
Fan engagement: Improved performance led to higher attendance and greater media attention in Denver, boosting the team’s regional popularity.
Historical significance: As the first non-losing season, 1974 is remembered as a milestone in Broncos’ franchise history.
Legacy of players: Figures like Lyle Alzado and Floyd Little became fan favorites and helped define the team’s identity in its formative years.

The 1974 season may not be remembered for championships, but it was a vital step in transforming the Broncos into a respected NFL franchise. It demonstrated that sustained improvement was possible, setting the stage for the team’s golden era in the late 1970s.