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The 2013 season was the Denver Broncos' 44th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 54th overall. It also marked their 30th season under the ownership of Pat Bowlen, the second with Peyton Manning as the team's starting quarterback and the third under head coach John Fox. Following a loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round of the 2012 playoffs, the Broncos entered the 2013 season as favorites to win Super Bowl XLVIII. However, the team underwent a tumultuous offseason that was dominated by the suspension of All-Pro linebacker Von Miller as well as several injuries to the offensive line. Notable offseason additions include the free agent acquisitions of wide receiver Wes Welker, linebacker Shaun Phillips, safety Quentin Jammer and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Roster departures include wide receiver Brandon Stokley, linebackers Elvis Dumervil and D. J. Williams, and running back Willis McGahee. The Broncos' 606 points (37.9 points per game) scored in the regular season is the highest total for any team playing a 16-game season. Throughout the regular season, numerous individual, league and franchise records were set, including Peyton Manning setting new NFL records for passing touchdowns and passing yardage, as well as the team setting new NFL records for touchdowns and points scored in a single season. He was named MVP for the season. During the team's mid-season bye week, head coach John Fox received a health scare that resulted in Fox missing four games due to recuperation from heart surgery. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio served as the team's interim head coach during Fox's absence. The Broncos won their third consecutive AFC West division title, as well as earning a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs for a second consecutive season. The Broncos defeated the San Diego Chargers 24–17 in the Divisional round, the New England Patriots 26–16 in the AFC championship game, and faced the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII – the Broncos' first Super Bowl berth since winning back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998. However, the Broncos were unable to recover from a 22–0 halftime deficit, and the Seahawks' No. 1 ranked defense held the Broncos' No. 1 ranked offense to their lowest scoring output of the season, routing the Broncos by a score of 43–8. They also scored fewer than 27 points in all three of their playoff games despite only doing so once during the regular season. Despite leading the league in points scored, the Broncos were 22nd in points allowed, with 399 and 19th in total defense. Coaching and front-office changes January 15: Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy was hired as the new head coach of the San Diego Chargers. That same day, the Broncos hired Cory Undlin as the team's new secondary coach. Undlin served as the defensive quality control coach last season, and he replaces Ron Milus, whose contract was not renewed. The team cited that Milus' coaching style clashed with several players during the past two seasons. January 17: Adam Gase, who spent the past two seasons as the Broncos' quarterbacks coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator, replacing Mike McCoy. January 18: Greg Knapp was hired as the team's new quarterbacks coach, replacing Adam Gase. Knapp served as the Oakland Raiders' offensive coordinator in 2012. February 11: Assistant special teams coach Keith Burns was hired to the same position with the Washington Redskins. His position was filled two days later (February 13), with the hiring of Derius Swinton, who spent the 2012 season as the Kansas City Chiefs' special teams quality control coach. May 1: The Broncos parted ways with Keith Kidd, who served as the team's director of player personnel for the past four seasons. The team hired Tom Heckert, Jr. as Kidd's replacement six days later (May 7). Heckert previously served as a general manager with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2006 to 2009 and most recently with the Cleveland Browns from 2010 to 2012. May 13: Alex Gibbs, who served as the Broncos' offensive line coach from 1995 to 2003, was hired as an offensive consultant. May 31: John Spytek was hired as the team's director of college scouting. Spytek previously worked in the same capacity during the past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, alongside former Browns' general manager Tom Heckert, Jr. Absence of John Fox On November 2, 2013, during the Broncos' bye week, head coach John Fox was hospitalized after experiencing light-headedness while playing golf in Charlotte, North Carolina. Fox was held in a Charlotte-area hospital for further testing, and doctors indicated that he needed aortic valve replacement surgery and would be out for up to two months. Fox knew about his heart condition, and had initially hoped to postpone his surgery until after the season, however, two days later (November 4), Fox underwent the successful surgery. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was named the interim head coach during Fox's absence. Del Rio had previously served as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 to 2011, as well as a defensive coordinator on Fox's staff with the Carolina Panthers in 2002. On December 2, Fox returned to the Broncos' training camp facility at Dove Valley, in preparation for the team's Week 14 game against the Tennessee Titans. Roster changes Free agents Signings Departures Trades On August 20, defensive tackle Sealver Siliga was traded to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for guard John Moffitt. On November 5, Moffitt was placed on the reserve/left squad list. Draft Draft trades Undrafted free agents All undrafted free agents were signed just after the 2013 NFL draft concluded on April 27, unless noted otherwise. Von Miller suspension On July 22, 2013, All-Pro linebacker Von Miller was initially suspended for a duration of four games due to his violation of NFL's drug policy, though initial reports indicated that his suspension did not involve the NFL's Steroids and Related Substances Policy. The Denver Post reported that Miller tested positive for marijuana and amphetamine during his rookie season in 2011 on multiple occasions. Miller appealed the suspension. However, on August 20 Miller's suspension period was increased from four to six games due to findings of other drug testing issues within the previous two years. On September 9, reports circulated that the Broncos were attempting to re-claim a $1.25 million signing bonus from Miller as a result of the suspension. On September 22, ESPN reported that the reason for Miller's suspension being increased from four to six games was due to Miller attempting to cheat a drug test with the aid of a urine collector, which nearly led to Miller being suspended for the entire 2013 season. Injuries July 24: Guard Chris Kuper, along with center J. D. Walton, was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Kuper recovered from ankle surgery, resulting fro.... Discover the Jim Saccomano popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Jim Saccomano books.