The Last “Normal” Night. Ever.

It was one of the most exciting games that I ever remember watching.

First, it featured my beloved Denver Broncos, in the first game in their new stadium, INVESCO Field at Mile High. My Dad and I had toured it earlier that summer, and there was a lot of anticipation for the new season and the new stadium.

The other team playing was my other long time NFL team, the New York Giants. The season before had seen them in the Super Bowl, and while it had not gone well, there was an eagerness to get going on the 2001 season.

It was the first Monday Night game of the new season, and the game lived up to everything I’d hoped.

Brian Griese threw for 330 yards, and Terrell Davis added another 100 yard game. Kerry Collins tossed three TD passes in the losing effort for the Giants, and the Broncos Defense took command leading the Broncos to a 31-20 victory.

The only real downside to the game was when “Easy Ed” McCaffrey, who had already caught a TD pass, was hit over the middle, and broke his leg quite badly. By the end of the game, it was announced that he would have surgery in the morning.

The next morning, I awoke to my phone ringing. Before I could answer it, a fleeting question floated through my head. “I wonder how McCaffrey’s surgery went. Will he be back this season or even next year?” I was happy about the game, looking forward to a new season and a return to the prominence the Broncs had shown just a few years before.

Things were going really well at work, and politically, the nation seemed better than it had been in years.

“Hello,” I said, seeing that the caller ID showed my best friends number.

“Turn on the news,” she said…

---

A Mile High Thriller: Broncos Open New Stadium with Victory Over Giants
September 10, 2001

DENVER — Under the twinkling lights of their brand new home, the Denver Broncos christened the freshly minted INVESCO Field at Mile High with a riveting 31-20 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night, September 10.

From the onset, the energy was palpable. A sea of orange and blue-clad fans erupted in cheers, the sound echoing the legacy of the old Mile High Stadium. The fans weren’t just celebrating a new chapter with a new stadium but also reveling in a hard-fought win over a Giants team that had reached the Super Bowl the previous season.

Broncos Show Offensive Prowess

Quarterback Brian Griese, stepping out of the enormous shadow cast by the recently retired legend, John Elway, delivered a performance that should put Broncos fans at ease. Griese displayed poise in the pocket, throwing for 330 yards and three touchdowns. The synergy between Griese and wideout Ed McCaffrey was undeniable, with McCaffrey hauling in a spectacular 80-yard touchdown that left the Giants’ defense grasping at thin air.

But it wasn’t just the passing game that shone for Denver. Running back Terrell Davis, who’s battled injury issues in the past seasons, seemed to rediscover some of his old magic, carving up the New York defense with crucial runs that kept drives alive.

Giants’ Valiant Effort
The Giants, however, were no pushovers. QB Kerry Collins orchestrated multiple scoring drives, proving why New York was the NFC’s representative in the Super Bowl a season prior. Tiki Barber showcased his dual-threat capabilities, and the Giants defense, led by Michael Strahan, kept the pressure on Griese throughout the game.

Yet, a few costly turnovers and missed opportunities would be their undoing. In key moments, the Broncos’ defense, showing a blend of grit and tenacity, managed to stifle the Giants, much to the delight of the roaring home crowd.

A New Chapter

While it was just one game, for Denver fans, the victory felt symbolic. The Broncos not only marked their territory in the new stadium but also showcased a promising future post-Elway. The synergy between Griese, McCaffrey, and Davis offers hope that this Broncos iteration could carve out its own legacy.

For the Giants, while the loss stings, the talent and prowess they displayed are clear indicators that they remain contenders in the NFC.

As the NFL season unfolds, both teams will be ones to watch. If Monday night was any indication, thrilling showdowns, spectacular plays, and edge-of-your-seat finishes will be the order of the day. The 2001 season is off to a roaring start.