Editing Super Bowl XXXII (section)

===Denver Broncos===
{{main|1997 Denver Broncos season}}

The Broncos entered Super Bowl XXXII after suffering four Super Bowl losses: Super Bowls [[Super Bowl XII|XII]], [[Super Bowl XXI|XXI]], [[Super Bowl XXII|XXII]], and [[Super Bowl XXIV|XXIV]] from 1978, 1987, 1988, and 1990, respectively. In all of those losses, the Broncos never had the ability to rush well enough or score enough points to be competitive. Denver had been defeated by a large margin in each one, losing all four by a combined scoring margin of 163–50.

The previous three Super Bowl losses were under starting quarterback [[John Elway]], whose ad-libbing skills enabled the Broncos to advance to the league's championship game in a span of three out of four seasons. Elway also led his team to the [[NFL playoffs, 1991-92#Conference championships|1991 AFC Championship Game]], but they lost in a defensive struggle to the [[1991 Buffalo Bills season|Buffalo Bills]], 10–7.

The team's fortunes changed when [[Mike Shanahan]] became head coach of the Broncos in [[1995 NFL season|1995]]. Shanahan was previously Denver's [[offensive coordinator]] during Super Bowl XXI and XXII losses but was fired in [[1991 NFL season|1991]] after a power struggle between him and then-head coach [[Dan Reeves]] over the offensive personnel. Shanahan then served as the offensive coordinator for the [[San Francisco 49ers]] from [[1992 NFL season|1992]] to [[1994 NFL season|1994]], including the 49ers' [[Super Bowl XXIX]] win. Under Shanahan, the San Francisco offense ranked first in the league in total yards gained for all three of his seasons there.

When Shanahan returned to the Broncos in 1995, he selected running back [[Terrell Davis]] in the 6th round of the [[NFL draft]]. Davis became the cornerstone of Denver's rebuilt running game, leading the team with 1,117 rushing yards in just his rookie year. The Broncos finished the 1995 regular season with just an 8–8 record. By [[1996 NFL season|1996]], the Broncos had the league's best offense, gaining 5,791 total yards, and recorded the AFC's best regular-season record at 13–3, but they were upset by the second year [[Jacksonville Jaguars]], 30–27 in the playoffs.

During the 1997 regular season, the Broncos once again had the league's best offense with 5,872 total yards and led the league in total points scored with 472. Although they recorded a 12–4 regular-season record, they finished in second place behind the 13–3 [[1997 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] in the [[AFC West]].

Davis, a [[Pro Bowl]] selection, remained the team's leading rusher, recording 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns (first in the AFC and second in the NFL behind only co-league MVP [[Barry Sanders]]'s 2,053 rushing yards), while also catching 42 passes for 287 yards. At 37 years old, Elway still posted a Pro Bowl season with 280 out of 502 completions for 3,635 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 215 yards and another touchdown. Pro Bowl tight end [[Shannon Sharpe]] led the team with 72 receptions for 1,107 yards. Wide receiver [[Rod Smith (wide receiver)|Rod Smith]], who was not drafted by any NFL team and recorded only 22 receptions for 389 yards and 3 touchdowns in his two previous seasons, had a breakout year with 70 receptions for 1,180 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wide receiver [[Ed McCaffrey]], who played in Shanahan's 1994 49ers offense, recorded 45 receptions for 590 yards and 8 touchdowns. Denver's offensive line was led by seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle [[Gary Zimmerman]] and Pro Bowl center [[Tom Nalen]].

On defense, the major acquisition to the team prior to the season was former Chiefs defensive lineman [[Neil Smith (American football)|Neil Smith]]. Smith had a Pro Bowl season for the 6th time in his career with 28 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Defensive end [[Alfred Williams]] recorded 36 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. The linebacking corps was led by veteran [[Bill Romanowski]], who had 55 tackles and 2 sacks, and [[John Mobley]], who led the team with 97 tackles while also recording 4 sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception.

The secondary was led by veteran defensive backs [[Tyrone Braxton]], who led the team with 4 interceptions for 113 yards and 1 touchdown, and [[Steve Atwater]], who had 53 tackles, 1 sack, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions for 42 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensive back [[Darrien Gordon]] recorded 50 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions, 64 return yards, and 1 touchdown. He also returned 40 punts for 543 yards and 3 touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darrien Gordon 1997 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GordDa20/gamelog/1997/ |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>