No. 6 – Gus Frerotte
Sept. 24, 2000 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Loss, 22-23
Passing: 18-for-31, 208 Yds, 0 TDs, 1 INT
Brian Griese started in Weeks 1-3 and led the Broncos to a 2-1 record, but Gus Frerotte got the start in Week 4 for an injured Griese.
Joe Nedney kicked three field goals, Ray Crockett had a pick-six and Mike Anderson had a 16-yard touchdown run and Denver led 22-14 at the end of the third quarter.
But the Broncos fumbled twice on their first two possessions of the fourth quarter. First a Frerotte strip sack, then Rod Smith fumbled on Denver’s very next touch.
Trailing by one after an Elvis Grbac-to-Derrick Alexander connection put the Chiefs up by one, Frerotte was intercepted on the Broncos’ final possession. Kansas City needed just one first down to ice the clock and spoil Frerotte’s first start in orange and blue.
However, Frerotte would get his redemption, leading the Broncos to four wins (and a playoff berth) from Weeks 11 through 14 (he lost in week 15). He successfully relieved Griese mid-game in Week 16, leading Denver to a win against San Francisco, but couldn’t keep the magic going in the playoffs. Earning the start, Frerotte and Denver fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Ravens in the Wild Card round.
