Editing Super Bowl XXIV (section)

====Denver Broncos====
{{main|1989 Denver Broncos season}}

The Broncos were trying to avoid becoming the second team, after the Vikings, to lose a fourth Super Bowl. After appearing in [[Super Bowl XXI]] and [[Super Bowl XXII]], the team missed the playoffs with an 8–8 record during the 1988 season. But they signed several new players in the offseason to help them win 10 of their first 12 games in 1989 and finish with an 11–5 record.

One of Denver's new major additions was rookie running back [[Bobby Humphrey]], who rushed for 1,151 yards, caught 22 passes for 156 yards, and scored 8 touchdowns. Humphrey gave the Broncos a powerful running attack that they lacked in their previous Super Bowl seasons.  Also new to the team was rookie kicker [[David Treadwell]], who made the Pro Bowl with an 81.8% field goal percentage and ranked third in the NFL with 120 points. The defense, coordinated by [[Wade Phillips]], had a new weapon as well: rookie free safety [[Steve Atwater]]. Together with veteran defensive backs [[Dennis Smith (American football)|Dennis Smith]], [[Wymon Henderson]], and [[Tyrone Braxton]], the Broncos' secondary combined for 14 interceptions.  Braxton led the team with 6, which he returned for 103 yards and a touchdown, while also recovering 2 fumbles.  Linebacker [[Simon Fletcher (American football)|Simon Fletcher]] lead the team with 105 tackles and 12 sacks, while veteran linebacker [[Karl Mecklenburg]] gained 7.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.  Another new addition was defensive end [[Ron Holmes]], who recorded 9 sacks.  Defensive end [[Alphonso Carreker]] added 5.5 sacks.

Veteran receiver [[Vance Johnson]] had the best season of his career, catching 76 passes for 1,095 yards and 7 touchdowns, while also returning 12 punts for 118 yards. However, quarterback [[John Elway]] played inconsistently during the regular season, throwing just as many interceptions as touchdowns (18) and recording only a 73.7 passer rating.