The Drive refers to the January 11, 1987 AFC Championship Game between the Denver Broncos and the Cleveland Browns. Broncos quarterback John Elway led his team 98 yards to tie the game with 37 seconds left in regulation. Denver won the game in overtime with a field goal, 23-20.

The 98-yard drive ranks as pro football's prototype performance in the clutch.

Play-by-play

The Browns had jumped to a 20-13 lead and the Broncos had muffed the ensuing kickoff when Elway took over, first-and-98 (on their own 2-yard line) with 5:32 to play.

Play No. 1 - First and 10, Denver 2-yard line. Elway faked a handoff to Gerald Willhite, then passed to Sammy Winder for five yards.

Play No. 2 - Second and 5, Denver 7-yard line. Winder, on a pitchout, ran for three yards.

Play No. 3 - Third and 2, Denver 10-yard line. Denver calls time out. Winder ran over left guard for two-yard gain and a first down.

Play No. 4 - First and 10, Denver 12-yard line. Winder carried over left tackle for three yards.

Play No. 5 - Second and seven, Denver 15-yard line. Forced out of the pocket, Elway scrambled for 11 yards and a first down on the Denver 26.

Play No. 6 - First and ten, Denver 26-yard line. Elway completed 22-yard pass to Steve Sewell for a first down on the Denver 48.

Play No. 7 - First and ten, Denver 48-yard line. Elway completed pass to Steve Watson for a 12-yard gain and a first down at the Cleveland 40.

Two-minute warning

Play No. 8 - First and ten, Cleveland 40-yard line (1:59 remaining). Elway's pass intended for Vance Johnson is incomplete.

Play No. 9 - Second and ten, Cleveland 40-yard line (1:52 remaining). Elway sacked for 8-yard loss by Dave Puzzuoli.

Play No. 10 - Third and 18, Cleveland 48-yard line (1:47 remaining). Elway completed pass to Jackson for 20-yard gain and first down to the Cleveland 28.

Play No. 11 - First and 10, Cleveland 28-yard line (1:19 remaining). Elway pass intended for Watson is incomplete.

Play No. 12 - Second and 10, Cleveland 28-yard line (1:10 remaining). Elway pitched a strike to Sewell for 14 yards and a first down on the Cleveland 14.

Play No. 13 - First and ten, Cleveland 14-yard line (:57 remaining). Elway pass intended for Watson is incomplete.

Play No. 14 - Second and 10, Cleveland 14-yard line (:42 remaining). Elway flushed from the pocket and ran nine yards to the Cleveland 5.

Play No. 15 - Third and one, Cleveland 5-yard line (:39 remaining). Elway went to the air for the ninth time in the drive and hit Jackson for the tying touchdown. Rich Karlis adds PAT.

Overtime

The Browns first got the ball but was forced to punt. Then, on Denver's first possession, Elway marched the Broncos 60 yards in nine plays to set up Karlis' 33-yard winning field goal with 5:48 elapsed.

See also

• NFL playoffs, 1986-87