With the Broncos in the playoffs for the first time since the 2005 season, The Denver Post will look back each day this week on a previous appearance.
In the 2005 season, the Broncos stayed alive in the playoffs by beating Tom Brady and New England 27-13 in an AFC semifinal game played in Denver. The Broncos haven’t won a playoff game since ending the Patriots’ NFL-record, 10-game postseason winning streak.
The Broncos never trailed after taking a 7-3 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by Mike Anderson with 1:42 remaining in the second quarter. Denver’s defense forced five turnovers, which led to the Broncos’ first 24 points. Those turnovers included two interceptions off Brady, one by cornerback Champ Bailey, right, and one by safety John Lynch. Brady finished 20-of-36 for 341 yards passing.
Bailey returned his third-quarter interception 100 yards — but he didn’t score. He made the pick 1 yard deep in the Broncos’ end zone and was stopped at the Patriots’ 1-yard line.
“I thought my guy, (safety) Nick Ferguson — we all remember him — if he looked inside and blocked a guy coming across the field, I would have scored,” a chuckling Bailey recalled recently.
In any case, Anderson scored his second touchdown on the next play and the Broncos had a 17-6 lead.
”That (interception) was one of the biggest plays around here,” said Bailey, not intending to sound boastful. “It was the last time we were in the playoffs, the last playoff win. Hopefully, I can make more like that.”
Tom Kensler, The Denver Post
