The 2005 Denver Broncos enjoyed a dominant season, finishing with a 13-3 record and clinching the AFC West title. Led by a powerful rushing attack featuring Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell, along with a stout defense that ranked among the league's best, the team remained undefeated at home and secured a memorable playoff victory over the defending champion New England Patriots to reach the AFC Championship Game. The 2006 Denver Broncos finished with a winning 9-7 record and were defined by a historic defensive start, setting an NFL record by allowing only one touchdown through the first five games. Led by Pro Bowlers Champ Bailey, Al Wilson, and John Lynch, the "Bad Blue" defense ranked in the top ten for points allowed. The season featured a strong 7-2 start, 1,000-yard performances from receiver Javon Walker and rusher Tatum Bell, and the debut of first-round draft pick Jay Cutler. A 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and nine-time Pro Bowler, John Lynch was a legendary safety who earned a Super Bowl title with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being named to the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons with the Denver Broncos.