Denver Broncos: 5 Memorable Opening Weekend Games (with Video Evidence)

The opening weekend of NFL games is one of the most exciting times of the year for football fans. Every team has hope for what the upcoming season may bring.

For Denver Broncos fans, the 2011-2012 season will open at the newly renamed Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium against the archrival Oakland Raiders on Monday night.

In their illustrious history, the Broncos have had some very memorable opening day games.

Let's take a look at five of them.

Honorable Mention: Chargers at Broncos 1994

The San Diego Chargers visited Mile High Stadium to open the season in 1994.

The game was a shootout. Broncos' quarterback John Elway threw for 371 yards and two touchdowns and wide receiver Mike Pritchard caught five passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.

But the Chargers took the lead late on a one-yard Natrone Means touchdown to make the score 37-34.

No problem. The Broncos had Elway. And Elway drove them right down the field. The Broncos were inside the 10-yard line and already in field goal range.

Go to 5:25 to see Elway do something very UN-John Elway like.

5. Broncos at Rams 2000

The Broncos had won the Super Bowl following both the '97 and '98 NFL seasons.

The Rams had won it in '99.

In the opening week of the 2000 season, the Broncos went to St. Louis to play the Rams.

What developed was an entertaining opening week game that saw over 900 combined yards and six lead changes.

4. Broncos at Jets 1993

Following the 1992 season, Broncos head coach Dan Reeves was fired and replaced by Wade Phillips.

Entering the '93 season, Broncos fans were very interested to see what changes would be made under the new coaching staff.

Their opening day game in the Meadowlands against the Jets introduced fans to two rookies.

Kicker Jason Elam would kick four field goals and two extra points.

Rookie running back Glyn Milburn would also account for 148 all purpose yards and a touchdown as the Broncos would knock off the Jets, 26-20.

Go to :44 for the Jets highlights.

3. Raiders at Broncos 1986

The 1986 season saw the hated Raiders come to Denver for Week 1.

The Mile High fans were treated to a classic shootout between two high-powered offenses.

Broncos 38, Raiders 36.

2. Broncos at Bills 2007

The Broncos visited Buffalo for their opening game in 2007.

As the clock ran out, they found themselves trailing 14-12.

They had no timeouts remaining.

This was definitely a memorable ending.

1. Broncos at Bengals 2009

The Broncos went to Cincinnati for their opening game in 2009.

Trailing 7-6 and on their own 13-yard line with less than one minute remaining in the game and then...well, I'll just let Gus Johnson explain.