Okay Broncos fans… do you want the good news first or the bad news?

Let’s assume you want the good news first: The 2015 Denver Broncos became the first team in 38 years to win a Super Bowl after losing the Super Bowl either the previous year or two years back. The Broncos lost Super Bowl #48 to the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 but won the title two years later.

Here’s a look at the five teams in Super Bowl history to win a Super Bowl within two years of losing the title contest.

Baltimore Colts: Lost Super Bowl #3… won Super Bowl #5
Dallas Cowboys: Lost Super Bowl #5… won Super Bowl #6
Miami Dolphins: Lost Super Bowl #6… won Super Bowl #7
Dallas Cowboys: Lost Super Bowl #10… won Super Bowl #12
Denver Broncos: Lost Super Bowl #48… won Super Bowl #50

That’s the good news; now for the not-so-good news. Can the Broncos return to the Super Bowl next year to defend their title? Past history indicates there is about a one in five chance they will be back in the Super Bowl in 2017 representing the AFC.

Of the previous 49 Super Bowl champs, only 11 of them returned to the Super Bowl the following year. Following is a list of those teams.

Green Bay Packers: won Super Bowl #1… won Super Bowl #2
Miami Dolphins: Won Super Bowl #7… won Super Bowl #8
Pittsburgh Steelers: Won Super Bowl #9… won Super Bowl #10
Dallas Cowboys: Won Super Bowl #12… lost Super Bowl #13
Washington Redskins: Won Super Bowl #17… lost Super Bowl #18
San Francisco 49ers: Won Super Bowl #23… won Super Bowl #24
Dallas Cowboys: Won Super Bowl #27… won Super Bowl #28
Green Bay Packers: Won Super Bowl #31… lost Super Bowl #32
Denver Broncos: Won Super Bowl #32… won Super Bowl #33
New England Patriots: Won Super Bowl #38… won Super Bowl #39
Seattle Seahawks: Won Super Bowl #48… lost Super Bowl #49

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