1994 Denver Broncos season
{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2013}}
{{Infobox NFL season
| logo =
| team = Denver Broncos
| year = 1994
| record = 7–9
| division_place = 4th AFC West
| coach = Wade Phillips
| off_coach = Jim Fassel
| def_coach = Charlie Waters
| general manager = John Beake
| owner = Pat Bowlen
| stadium = Mile High Stadium
| playoffs = Did not qualify
| uniform = 250px
| shortnavlink = Broncos seasons
}}
The {{nfly|1994}} Denver Broncos season was the team's 35th year in professional football and its 25th with the National Football League. The season would be the final year that Wade Phillips was head coach. This would also be the final season for longtime defensive stalwarts Karl Mecklenburg and Dennis Smith. This would be the last time the Broncos started 1–5 until 2023.
Offseason
= NFL draft =
{{main article|1994 NFL Draft}}
{{NFL team draft start
| year = 1994
| teamname = Denver Broncos
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 2
| pick = 51
| player = Allen Aldridge
| position = Linebacker
| college = Houston
| notes =
| probowl = no
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 4
| pick = 123
| player = Randy Fuller
| position = Cornerback
| college = Tennessee State
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 7
| pick = 210
| player = Keith Burns
| position = Linebacker
| college = Oklahoma State
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 7
| pick = 212
| player = Butler By'not'e
| position = Running back
| college = Ohio State
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
| round = 7
| pick = 218
| player = Tom Nalen
| position = Center
| college = Boston College
| notes =
| probowl = yes
| maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft end
| hof = no
}}
= Undrafted Free Agents =
| class="wikitable"
|+ 1994 Undrafted Free Agents of note !Player !Position !College |
| style="background:#faecc8;"
|Tight end |
| Derrick Clark
|Running back |
| style="background:#faecc8;"
|Wide receiver |
Personnel
= Staff =
{{NFL final staff
| year = 1994
| team = Denver Broncos
| front_office =
- President and Chief Executive Officer – Pat Bowlen
- General Manager – John Beake
- Director of Football Operations/Player Personnel – Bob Ferguson
- Assistant Director of Player Personnel – Cornell Green
- Director of College Scouting – Jeff Smith
- Pro Scout – Jack Elway
- College Scout – Dave Gettleman
- College Scout – Ted Sundquist
| head_coach =
- Head Coach – Wade Phillips
- Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator – Jim Fassel
- Special Assistant to Head Coach/Offense – Harold Richardson
| offensive =
- Running Backs – Bishop Harris
- Wide Receivers – Mo Forte
- Tight Ends – Les Steckel
- Offensive Line – John Levra
| defensive =
- Defensive Coordinator – Charlie Waters
- Defensive Line – Rex Norris
- Linebackers – John Paul Young
- Defensive Backs – Leon Fuller
- Assistant Defensive Backs/Quality Control – Alvin Reynolds
| special_teams =
- Special Teams/Linebackers – Richard Smith
| strength =
- Strength/Conditioning – Vernon Banks
- Assistant Strength/Conditioning and Assistant Defensive Line – Barney Chavous
}}
{{cite book |title=1994 Denver Broncos Media Guide |pages=5–27}}
= Roster =
{{NFL season roster
| year = 1994
| team = Denver Broncos
| quarterbacks =
{{NFLplayer| 7|John Elway}}
{{NFLplayer| 2|Will Furrer}}
{{NFLplayer|17|Hugh Millen}}
| running_backs =
{{NFLplayer|43|Derrick Clark|d=American football|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Glyn Milburn|KR/PR}}
{{NFLplayer|38|Reggie Rivers}}
{{NFLplayer|41|Deon Strother|rookie=y}}
| wide_receivers =
{{NFLplayer|86|Jeff Campbell|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|83|Anthony Miller|d=wide receiver, born 1965}}
{{NFLplayer|80|Tony Kimbrough|d=wide receiver}}
{{NFLplayer|85|Derek Russell|}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Cedric Tillman|d=American football, born July 1970}}
| tight_ends =
{{NFLplayer|89|Dwayne Carswell|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Jerry Evans}}
{{NFLplayer|84|Shannon Sharpe}}
| offensive_linemen =
{{NFLplayer|60|Joe Burch|rookie=y|C}}
{{NFLplayer|68|Russell Freeman|d=American football|T}}
{{NFLplayer|75|Brian Habib|G}}
{{NFLplayer|67|Ken Lanier|T}}
{{NFLplayer|78|Don Maggs|G/T}}
{{NFLplayer|64|Jon Melander|G}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Tom Nalen|rookie=y|C/G}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Kirk Scrafford|T}}
{{NFLplayer|79|Dave Widell|C/LS}}
{{NFLplayer|65|Gary Zimmerman|T}}
| defensive_linemen =
{{NFLplayer|99|Shane Dronett|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Simon Fletcher|d=American football|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|96|Harald Hasselbach|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|91|Willie Oshodin|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|94|Jeff Robinson|d=American football|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|98|Ted Washington|DT}}
{{NFLplayer|90|Dan Williams|d=defensive end|DT}}
| linebackers =
{{NFLplayer|57|Allen Aldridge|rookie=y|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|58|Elijah Alexander|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|56|Keith Burns|d=linebacker|rookie=y|MLB}}
{{NFLplayer|51|Mike Croel|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|54|Mitch Donahue|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Richard Harvey|d=American football|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|50|Ray Jacobs|d=linebacker|rookie=y|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|77|Karl Mecklenburg|MLB}}
| defensive_back =
{{NFLplayer|27|Steve Atwater|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|23|Ronnie Bradford|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|28|Butler B'ynote'|rookie=y|CB/KR}}
{{NFLplayer|39|Ray Crockett|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Randy Fuller|d=American football|rookie=y|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|40|Darryl Hall|d=defensive back|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Randy Hilliard|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|31|Rondell Jones|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|26|Ben Smith|d=cornerback|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|49|Dennis Smith|d=American football|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Charles Swann|d=American football|CB}}
| special_teams =
{{NFLplayer| 1|Jason Elam|K}}
{{NFLplayer|16|Tom Rouen|P}}
| reserve_lists =
{{NFLplayer|33|Rod Bernstine|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|83|Melvin Bonner|WR|IR}}
- {{player|97}} Darren Drozdov NT (IR) 7px
{{NFLplayer|72|Keith Kartz|C|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|61|Bob Meeks|C|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|81|Mike Pritchard|WR|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|42|Leonard Russell|d=American football|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|92|Dave Wyman|LB|IR}}
| practice_squad =
{{NFLplayer|--|Ryan McCoy|rookie=y|LB}}
{{NFLplayer|19|Rod Smith|d=wide receiver|rookie=y|WR}}
53 active, 8 inactive, 2 practice squad
}}
Regular season
=Schedule=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
| style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}"| Week
!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}"| Date !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}"| Opponent !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}"| Result !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}"| Record !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}"| Venue !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}"| Attendance !style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}"| Recap |
|---|
| style="background:#fcc"
! 1 | September 4 | L 34–37 | 0–1 | 74,032 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409040den.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 2 | September 11 | at New York Jets | L 22–25 | 0–2 | 73,436 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409110nyj.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 3 | September 18 | L 16–48 | 0–3 | Mile High Stadium | 75,764 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409180den.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 4 | {{dow tooltip|September 26, 1994}} | at Buffalo Bills | L 20–27 | 0–4 | 75,373 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409260buf.htm Recap] |
| align="center"
! 5 |colspan="7"| Bye |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 6 | October 9 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 16–9 | 1–4 | 63,872 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199410090sea.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 7 | {{dow tooltip|October 17, 1994}} | L 28–31 | 1–5 | Mile High Stadium | 75,151 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199410170den.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 8 | October 23 | at San Diego Chargers | W 20–15 | 2–5 | 61,626 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199410230sdg.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 9 | October 30 | W 26–14 | 3–5 | Mile High Stadium | 73,190 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199410300den.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 10 | November 6 | at Los Angeles Rams | L 21–27 | 3–6 | 48,103 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411060ram.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 11 | November 13 | W 17–10 | 4–6 | Mile High Stadium | 71,290 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411130den.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 12 | November 20 | W 32–28 | 5–6 | Mile High Stadium | 70,594 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411200den.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 13 | November 27 | W 15–13 | 6–6 | Mile High Stadium | 69,714 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411270den.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#cfc"
! 14 | December 4 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 20–17 | 7–6 | 77,631 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412040kan.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 15 | December 11 | at Los Angeles Raiders | L 13–23 | 7–7 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 60,016 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412110rai.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 16 | {{dow tooltip|December 17, 1994}} | at San Francisco 49ers | L 19–42 | 7–8 | 64,884 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412170sfo.htm Recap] |
| style="background:#fcc"
! 17 | {{dow tooltip|December 24, 1994}} | L 28–30 | 7–9 | Mile High Stadium | 64,445 | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412240den.htm Recap] |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
= Standings =
{{1994 AFC West standings}}
Season summary
=Week 13 vs Bengals=
{{Americanfootballbox
|bg=
|bg2=
|titlestyle={{Gridiron primary style|Denver Broncos|year=1994|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=collasped
|title=Week Thirteen: Cincinnati Bengals (2–9) at Denver Broncos (5–6)
|date=November 27, 1994
|time=4:00 p.m. EDT
|road=Bengals
|R1=0 |R2=6 |R3=0 |R4=7
|home=Broncos
|H1=6 |H2=9 |H3=0 |H4=0
|stadium=Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
|attendance=69,714
|weather={{Convert|27|F|C}}
|referee=
|TV=
|TVAnnouncers=
|reference=[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411270den.htm Box Score], [https://www.footballdb.com/games/boxscore/cincinnati-bengals-vs-denver-broncos-1994112708 Box Score]
|scoring=
|stats=
}}
{{AmFootballGameTopPlayers
| Float = left
| Visitor = Cincinnati Bengals
| VisitorDisplay = Bengals
| Home = Denver Broncos
| HomeDisplay = Broncos
| VisPasser = Jeff Blake
| VisPassStats = 15/33, 215 Yds, TD, INT
| VisRusher = Steve Broussard
| VisRushStats = 8 Rush, 52 Yds
| VisReceiver = Carl Pickens
| VisReceivingStats = 6 Rec, 132 Yds, TD
| HomePasser = John Elway
| HomePassStats = 21/38, 239 Yds, TD
| HomeRusher = Leonard Russell
| HomeRushStats = 13 Rush, 30 Yds
| HomeReceiver = Anthony Miller
| HomeReceivingStats = 5 Rec, 116 Yds, TD
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart|VisitorName=CIN|HomeName=DEN|state=collapsed}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=1
| Time=12:30
| Team=Broncos
| DrivePlays=7
| DriveLength=58
| DriveTime=
| Type=FG
| yards=34
| Kicker=Jason Elam
| Visitor=0
| Home=3
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=1
| Time=4:13
| Team=Broncos
| DrivePlays=6
| DriveLength=4
| DriveTime=
| Type=FG
| yards=33
| Kicker=Jason Elam
| Visitor=0
| Home=6
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=7:19
| Team=Bengals
| DrivePlays=11
| DriveLength=55
| DriveTime=
| Type=FG
| yards=43
| Kicker=Doug Pelfrey
| Visitor=3
| Home=6
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=4:09
| Team=Broncos
| DrivePlays=7
| DriveLength=58
| DriveTime=
| Type=Other
| Other=Anthony Miller 16-yard touchdown reception from John Elway, 2-point conversion attempt failed
| Visitor=3
| Home=12
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=2:57
| Team=Broncos
| DrivePlays=4
| DriveLength=7
| DriveTime=
| Type=FG
| yards=37
| Kicker=Jason Elam
| Visitor=3
| Home=15
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=2
| Time=0:11
| Team=Bengals
| DrivePlays=11
| DriveLength=66
| DriveTime=
| Type=FG
| yards=32
| Kicker=Doug Pelfrey
| Visitor=6
| Home=15
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry
| Quarter=4
| Time=14:48
| Team=Bengals
| DrivePlays=4
| DriveLength=80
| DriveTime=
| Type=RecTD
| Receiver=Carl Pickens
| QB=Jeff Blake
| yards=70
| kickresult=good
| Kicker=Doug Pelfrey
| 2pt type=run/pass
| 2pt result=good/failed/incomplete
| Visitor=13
| Home=15
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=13|Home=15}}
{{Clear}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://media.denverbroncos.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/1994.pdf Denver Broncos] – 1994 media guide
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/den/1994.htm Broncos on Pro Football Reference]
- [http://www.jt-sw.com/football/pro/results.nsf/Teams/1994-den Broncos Schedule on jt-sw.com]
{{Denver Broncos}}
{{Denver Broncos seasons}}
{{1994 NFL season by team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:1994 Denver Broncos Season}}