2005 Denver Broncos season

American football team season December 2013 February 2026 September 2025 Multiple sections with no sources Denver Broncos 2005 13–3 1st AFC West Pat Bowlen Pat Bowlen Mike Shanahan Gary Kubiak Larry Coyer Ted Sundquist and Mike Shanahan Invesco Field at Mile High Won Divisional Playoffs(vs. Patriots) 27–13Lost AFC Championship(vs. Steelers) 17–34 QB Jake Plummer WR Rod Smith FS John LynchCB Champ Bailey MLB Al Wilson Broncos seasonsThe 2005 season was the Denver Broncos' 36th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 46th overall. The Broncos closed out the 2005 regular season with a 13–3 record. They won their first playoff game since the 1998 season. Although they eliminated the defending back-to-back Super Bowl champion New England Patriots to end their hopes of becoming the first NFL team to three-peat, and became the first team to eliminate a defending back-to-back Super Bowl champion in the playoffs since the 1994 San Francisco 49ers (which Mike Shanahan was coincidentally the offensive coordinator), they failed to get to the Super Bowl, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the eventual champions, in the AFC Championship game. The Broncos were expected by many to make the Super Bowl for the first time in the post-John Elway era. Denver wouldn't make the playoffs again until 2011 under Tim Tebow's leadership or another Conference championship until 2013, under the leadership of Peyton Manning whom the Broncos acquired in 2012. 2005 season After losing their first game 34–10 to the Miami Dolphins on September 11, the Broncos won 5 straight games, defeating the San Diego Chargers 20–17, the Kansas City Chiefs 30–10, the Jacksonville Jaguars 20–7, the Washington Redskins 21–19, and the two-time defending champion New England Patriots 28–20 on October 16 before losing to the New York Giants on October 23 by a final score of 24–23, courtesy of an Amani Toomer touchdown much like the Broncos 1998 season where they suffered their first loss of the year. They then beat the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles 49–21 on October 30. In that game, the Broncos became the first team in NFL history to have two players, Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell, rush for over 100 yards and another player, Jake Plummer, pass for over 300 yards in a single game. They then beat the Oakland Raiders on November 13, 31–17. They beat the New York Jets on November 20, 27–0. It was the first time the Broncos had shut out a team at home since the Carolina Panthers on November 9, 1997. They played the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving day, November 24, winning a very hard fought game in overtime 24–21. The key play that led to Jason Elam's 24-yard game-winning field goal was a 55-yard run by Ron Dayne who filled in for the injured Tatum Bell. They lost to the Chiefs 31–27 on December 4, but defeated the Baltimore Ravens the following week 12–10. On December 17, the Broncos defeated the Buffalo Bills 28–17. On Christmas Eve 2005, the Denver Broncos clinched the AFC West division title as they finished 8–0 at Invesco Field, beating the Oakland Raiders 22–3. On December 31, 2005, the Broncos got win number 13 by going on the road and sweeping their division rivals, the Chargers, with a final score of 23–7. The Broncos entered their third consecutive year in the playoffs with the momentum of a four-game winning streak. With a record of 13–3, they were tied with the Seattle Seahawks for second overall in the league, behind the 14–2 Indianapolis Colts. They were seeded number two in the AFC behind the Colts. On January 14, 2006, the Broncos defeated the two-time defending champions, the New England Patriots, 27–13, ending the Patriots chance of becoming the first NFL team ever to win three consecutive Super Bowl championships. The last team with a chance of winning three consecutive Super Bowls before the Patriots were the Broncos themselves. The Broncos' run came to an end by losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship 34–17 on January 22, 2006. Their strength of controlling the ball collapsed with 4 turnovers. They were outscored in the first half 24–3 and were not able to come from behind to win in the second half. The Steelers went on to win Super Bowl XL. Offseason The Broncos failed to retain safety Kenoy Kennedy, who signed with the Detroit Lions, defensive end Reggie Hayward, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and cornerback Kelly Herndon, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and offensive guard P.J. Alexander was released before the start of regular season. Also running back Garrison Hearst and offensive tackle Dan Neil were released and eventually retired. During the offseason, the Broncos brought back Keith Burns and Ian Gold after one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also trading running back Reuben Droughns to the Cleveland Browns for defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban and Michael Myers, also signing defensive end Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren as the former Browns were known to be the "Browncos". Including the signing of 49ers defensive end John Engelberger and New York Giants running back Ron Dayne. Future Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice suited up for the Broncos in four preseason games, catching four passes for 24 yards.Jerry Rice game logs The Football Database https://www.footballdb.com/players/jerry-rice-riceje01/gamelogs July 17, 2025 He retired before the start of the regular season.Associated Press https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2152365 ESPN Rice retires after learning expected role for Broncos September 5, 2005 July 17, 2025 NFL draft 2005 NFL draft 2005 Denver Broncos 2 56 Darrent Williams Cornerback Oklahoma State (deceased) yes no 3 76 Karl Paymah Cornerback Washington State from WashingtonNo. 76: Washington → Denver see No. 25: Denver → Washington yes yes no 3 97 Domonique Foxworth Cornerback Maryland yes no 3 101 Maurice Clarett Running back Ohio State no no 6 200 Chris Myers Guard Miami (FL) yes yes 7 239 Paul Ernster Kicker Northern Arizona yes no no Personnel Staff / Coaches 2005 Denver Broncos President and chief executive officer – Pat Bowlen Executive vice president of football operations/head coach – Mike Shanahan Assistant to head coach – Troy Calhoun Offensive coordinator – Gary Kubiak Quarterbacks – Pat McPherson Running backs – Bobby Turner Wide receivers – Steve Watson Tight ends – Tim Brewster Offensive line – Rick Dennison Coaching intern – Mike McDaniel Defensive coordinator – Larry Coyer Defensive line/ends – Jacob Burney Defensive line/tackles – Andre Patterson Linebackers – Kirk Doll Defensive backs – Bob Slowik Assistant defensive backs – Jimmy Spencer Defensive assistant – Jim Ryan Defensive assistant – Ryan Slowik Special teams – Ronnie Bradford Special teams assistant – Thomas McGaughey Strength and conditioning – Rich Tuten Assistant strength and conditioning – Greg Saporta Assistant strength and conditioning – Cedric Smith Roster 2005 Denver Broncos 53 6 9 16 Jake Plummer 11 Bradlee Van Pelt 38 Mike Anderson 26 Tatum Bell 33 Ron Dayne 39 Kyle Johnson FB 37 Cecil Sapp FB 81 Charlie Adams 14 Todd Devoe 85 Ashley Lelie 80 Rod Smith 13 David Terrell 17 Darius Watts 82 Stephen Alexander 84 Wesley Duke 89 Nate Jackson 88 Jeb Putzier 65 Cooper Carlisle G 72 George Foster OT 74 Cornell Green OT 50 Ben Hamilton G 78 Matt Lepsis OT 62 Chris Myers C/G 66 Tom Nalen C 59 Taylor Whitley G 98 Courtney Brown DE 95 Marco Coleman DE 91 Ebenezer Ekuban DE 60 John Engelberger DE 96 Michael Myers DT 75 Monsanto Pope DT 93 Trevor Pryce DE 61 Gerard Warren DT 97 Demetrin Veal DT 51 Keith Burns MLB 54 Patrick Chukwurah OLB 52 Ian Gold OLB 53 Louis Green OLB 56 Al Wilson MLB 55 D.J. Williams OLB 21 Hamza Abdullah FS 45 Roc Alexander CB 24 Champ Bailey CB 42 Sam Brandon FS 40 Curome Cox CB 25 Nick Ferguson SS 22 Domonique Foxworth CB 47 John Lynch FS 41 Karl Paymah CB 27 Darrent Williams CB  1 Jason Elam K 83 Mike Leach LS 10 Todd Sauerbrun P 69 P. J. Alexander C (NF-Inj.) 7px 29 Brandon Browner CB (IR) 7px 77 Dwayne Carswell G (NF-Inj.) 7px 28 Jeff Shoate CB (IR) 7px 32 Chris Young S (IR) 7px 57 Josh Buhl OLB 34 Cedric Cobbs RB  3 Paul Ernster K (IR) 7px 99 George Gause DE 63 Rob Hunt C 90 Corey Jackson DE 71 Patrice Mwamba DT Int'l 48 Brandon Miree FB 64 Erik Pears OT 35 Antwaun Rogers CB Schedule Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue 1 August 13 at Houston Texans W 20–14 1–0 Reliant Stadium 2 August 20 San Francisco 49ers W 26–21 2–0 Invesco Field at Mile High 3 August 27 Indianapolis Colts W 37–24 3–0 Invesco Field at Mile High 4 September 2 at Arizona Cardinals W 30–21 4–0 Sun Devil Stadium Regular season Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 11 at Miami Dolphins L 10–34 0–1 Dolphins Stadium 72,324 2 September 18 San Diego Chargers W 20–17 1–1 Invesco Field at Mile High 75,310 3 September 26, 2005 Kansas City Chiefs W 30–10 2–1 Invesco Field at Mile High 76,381 4 October 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 20–7 3–1 Alltel Stadium 66,045 5 October 9 Washington Redskins W 21–19 4–1 Invesco Field at Mile High 75,880 6 October 16 New England Patriots W 28–20 5–1 Invesco Field at Mile High 76,571 7 October 23 at New York Giants L 23–24 5–2 Giants Stadium 78,516 8 October 30 Philadelphia Eagles W 49–21 6–2 Invesco Field at Mile High 76,530 9 Bye 10 November 13 at Oakland Raiders W 31–17 7–2 McAfee Coliseum 62,779 11 November 20 New York Jets W 27–0 8–2 Invesco Field at Mile High 76,255 12 November 24, 2005 at Dallas Cowboys W 24–21 (OT) 9–2 Texas Stadium 63,273 13 December 4 at Kansas City Chiefs L 27–31 9–3 Arrowhead Stadium 78,261 14 December 11 Baltimore Ravens W 12–10 10–3 Invesco Field at Mile High 75,651 15 December 17, 2005 at Buffalo Bills W 28–17 11–3 Ralph Wilson Stadium 71,887 16 December 24 Oakland Raiders W 22–3 12–3 Invesco Field at Mile High 76,212 17 December 31 at San Diego Chargers W 23–7 13–3 Qualcomm Stadium 65,513Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Playoffs Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance Divisional Round January 14, 2006 New England Patriots W 27–13 1–0 Invesco Field at Mile High 76,238 AFC Championship January 22, 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–34 1–1 Invesco Field at Mile High 76,775 Standings Playoff results AFC Divisional Game vs New England Patriots Denver Broncos 97thru11 2;text-align:center; autocollapse AFC Divisional Playoff: New England Patriots vs Denver Broncos – Game summary January 14, 2006 6:00 p.m. MT Patriots 0 3 3 7 Broncos 0 10 7 10 Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, CO 54 F 1 or, wind 3 mph km/h knots CBS First quarter no scoring Second quarter NE – Adam Vinatieri 40 yard field goal. (2:48) Patriots 3–0 Den – Mike Anderson 1 yard rush (Jason Elam kick). (1:42) Broncos 7–3 Den – Jason Elam 50 yard field goal. (0:43) Broncos 10–3 Third quarter NE – Adam Vinatieri 32 yard field goal. (7:49) Broncos 10–6 Den – Mike Anderson 1 yard rush (Jason Elam kick). (0:43) Broncos 17–6 Fourth quarter Den – Rod Smith 4 yard pass from Jake Plummer (Jason Elam kick). (8:38) Broncos 24–6 NE – David Givens 4 yard pass from Tom Brady (Adam Vinatieri kick). (8:05) Broncos 24–13 Den – Jason Elam 34 yard field goal. (3:20) Broncos 27–13 Patriots Tom Brady: 20–36, 341 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT Deion Branch: 8 rec, 153 yards Broncos Jake Plummer: 15–26, 197 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT Rod Smith: 6 rec, 96 yards, 1 TD Turnovers Patriots – 5 Broncos – 1 Despite scoring 27 points on offense, the Broncos defense was the story of the day. They forced five Patriots turnovers, including intercepting Tom Brady twice, while recovering three fumbles. A Mike Anderson one yard touchdown run in the third quarter was set up by a 100-yard interception return by Champ Bailey. It was the second longest interception return in NFL playoff history. The Patriots outgained the Broncos 420 to 286 in yardage, but the turnovers were too much for New England to overcome. As a result, the Broncos secured their first Divisional Round win since 1998 and improved to 2-0 at home in the playoffs against New England. AFC Championship Game vs Pittsburgh Steelers Denver Broncos 97thru11 2;text-align:center; autocollapse AFC Championship Game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Denver Broncos – Game summary January 22, 2006 1:00 p.m. MT Steelers 3 21 0 10 Broncos 0 3 7 7 Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, CO 34 F 1 or CBS With the loss, the Broncos season official came to an end. This would be both the Broncos last playoff game until 2011 & their last loss in the AFC Championship until 2025. This is however, the last time the Broncos lost to the Steelers in the postseason. Team stats The Broncos relied on a more consistent Jake Plummer, their running game behind Tatum Bell, Ron Dayne, and Mike Anderson, and their defense to stop opposing running backs. The Broncos placed second in the league in rushing yards per game, fourth in total offense and allowed the second fewest rushing yards in the league. The key to Denver's success that year was their ability to keep control of the ball. In the regular season they committed just 16 turnovers, tied for the second-least in the league, and took it away from their opponents 36 times, fifth-best in the league. This resulted in a turnover differential of +20, second-best in the NFL. Jake Plummer, after throwing an NFL-high-tying 20 interceptions in the 2004 season, threw only 7 interceptions on the year, and had the second-lowest interception percentage rate of any quarterback in the league (behind Brad Johnson). His only omission of a serious number of turnovers occurred, unfortunately, in the AFC Championship, with two interceptions. In 2005 the Broncos had 5,766 total offensive yards and gave up 5,006 yards. They outran their opponents 2,539 to 1,363. They were, however, outpassed 3,643 to 3,227. They had 28 sacks and gave up 23. They had 46 touchdowns to their opponents' 31. They were tied for fifth in total touchdowns and were seventh in the league in points per game. Player stats Jake Plummer threw 277 completions out of 456 attempts for 3366 yards and 18 touchdowns. He had 7 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 90.2. He also ran 46 times for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns. Mike Anderson had 239 rushes for 1014 yards and 12 touchdowns. Tatum Bell ran 173 times for 921 yards and 8 touchdowns. He also had 18 catches and 104 receiving yards. Ron Dayne had 53 carries for 270 yards. He also had 18 receptions for 212 yards. Rod Smith led in receiving with 85 receptions for 1105 yards and 6 touchdowns. Ashley Lelie had 42 receptions, 770 yards, and 1 touchdown. Jeb Putzier made 37 catches for 481 yards. Charlie Adams had 21 receptions and 203 yards. Ian Gold had 72 tackles, 16 assists, 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. Nick Ferguson made 61 tackles and had 18 assists and 1 fumble recovery. Al Wilson had 61 tackles, 11 assists, 3 sacks and 1 fumble recovery. Domonique Foxworth made 64 tackles, had 6 assists and 2 fumble recoveries. Champ Bailey had 8 interceptions and 2 touchdowns, 59 tackles and 5 assists. John Lynch had 44 tackles, 17 assists, and 4 sacks. Jason Elam kicked 24 field goals out of 32 attempted and 43 out of 44 extra points. References External links 2005 Denver Broncos at Pro-Football-Reference.com 2005 Denver Broncos at jt-sw.com Denver Broncos Category:Denver Broncos seasons Category:AFC West championship seasons Denver Broncos