5 Top Highlights in Broncos vs. Raiders History

In anticipation for Denver's visit to the "Black Hole" this Sunday, it would only seem right to start thinking back to all of the great moments of this rivalry's history.

It is true that in recent years, this rivalry has lost a little bit of it's luster. Over the past two seasons, the Broncos have become one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Raiders have been about average, but nothing really special.

However, the colors orange and blue still don't blend well with the black and silver.

Even with free agency and the frequent changing of coaches and players in today's NFL, the rivalry is still hard-hitting and rough.

Earlier this year the Raiders traveled to Denver where the two teams played one of the most sloppiest games in recent memory, seemingly committing a penalty on almost every play. There were 25 penalties committed by both teams, with over 200 yards lost total due to those infractions.

It wouldn't shock anybody to see the same kind of display with the "Black Hole" crowd involved this time.

In the spirit of this rivalry, here are the five best Denver moments in the rivalry's history.

Oct. 16, 1995: Broncos Beat Raiders 27-0

This game wasn't anything special.

The Broncos absolutely dominated the Raiders at Mile High, outgaining Oakland by over 300 total yards, over 100 more rushing yards and accumulating 14 more first downs.

The reason why it was significant was because Denver had lost 13 of their past 15 games against the Raiders when they were in Los Angeles from 1988-1994. This is also including the 1993 season finale that saw the Raiders defeat Denver to clinch a playoff berth, and then go on to trounce Denver the next week in the Wild Card Playoffs.

Another reason why it's noteworthy is because of the Mike Shanahan factor.

This was Shanny's first game against the Al Davis-owned Raiders as a head coach of the Broncos. Shanahan first became a head coach in the NFL with the Raiders in 1988 before getting fired after just four games with the team in 1989.

This would lead to Denver making an annual mockery of the Raiders under Shanahan's leadership. The Broncos went 21-7 over Shanahan's 14 seasons with Denver against the black and silver.

Dec. 24, 1995: Denver Spoils Oaklands Playoff Hopes in Season Finale

The same year that Denver defeated Oakland 27-0 at Mile High was a little bit different with the Broncos traveling to Oakland in December.

In a back and forth game that saw Oakland hold a 28-17 lead at the end of the third quarter, John Elway pulled out some Mile High Magic at the Coliseum.

The Broncos proceeded to score 14 straights point in the fourth quarter, including a touchdown pass from Elway to Eddie Mac that paved the way for Jason Elam's game-winning field goal from 37 yards out for the victory.

It was the first time the Broncos had swept the Raiders in a single season since 1987.

Sept. 16, 2007: Broncos Defeat Raiders in Overtime

This was a great game, but there have been many great games in Broncos-Raiders history.

The reason why this makes the cut is because it started a trend in the NFL that you see on a week-to-week basis whenever the situation presents itself. Hell, you see it many football games, not just the NFL these days.

The game went into overtime with the scored tied 20-20. The Raiders drove down the field to set up Sebastian Janikowski for a shot at winning the game with a field goal.

Janikowski hit the 52-yard field goal. The problem was Mike Shanahan called a timeout right before the snap.

Janikowski kicked it again where it clanked off of the left uprights.

The Broncos would drive down the field with a little under six minutes remaining to set up Jason Elam for a game-winning field goal.

Let's just say this game did not make Oakland Raiders fans like Mike Shanahan any more than they already had.

Oct. 16, 1977: Broncos Crush Raiders

Although the Broncos have been one of the league's worst teams in the past two seasons, it's hard to think back to when the Broncos weren't even a blip on the NFL's radar.

Denver went from 1960-1976 without accumulating a single playoff appearance. Hell, it took them until 1973 to achieve their first winning season.

1977 was the year that the Broncos would change the franchise's fortunes. All due to the "Orange Crush" defense.

Denver entered their meeting at Oakland at 4-0 and having allowed just 26 total points. For those of you that aren't good at math, that's less than seven points a game.

The "Orange Crush" would further establish their presence by demolishing the Ken Stabler-led Raiders 30-7. Why is this such a big deal other than the emergence of the Broncos as a winning franchise?

They picked off Stabler seven times. For the last three quarters of the game, the Broncos did not allow a single point to the NFL's best offense of 1977. The Raiders scored 351 total points and 25.1 PPG that year.

Stabler went to the Pro Bowl that season. This was not one of his finer performances of the season.

Jan. 1, 1978: Broncos Defeat Raiders to Clinch First Super Bowl Appearance

It is only fitting that this game is placed last on the list. It's because it's by far the most important and pivotal win in the Broncos-Raiders rivalry.

The Broncos defeated the Raiders 20-17 to clinch the franchise's first Super Bowl berth.

In an underwhelming performance by "Orange Crush" standards, Denver gave up 17 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter where Ken Stabler nearly led a comeback that would return the Raiders to the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season.

It was not to be as Craig Morton had one of his finer performances as Denver's quarterback, throwing for 224 yards and two touchdowns, as he played every bit a well as the more-heralded Stabler.

In Denver's first postseason after 17 years of futility, the Broncos would go on to play in Super Bowl XII, where they would lose to the Dallas Cowboys 27-10.