13 wins the Broncos’ most in seven years

John Lynch sacks Drew Brees — Chargers quarterback Drew Brees is hit by Denver Broncos safety John Lynch during the second quarter of the teams’ game on Dec. 31, 2005, in San Diego. Brees fumbled the ball on the play and the Broncos recovered on the 1-yard line. Brees was injured trying to recover the ball. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Denver concludes the regular season with a 23-7 win at San Diego, putting the team’s record at 13-3 to tie for the second-most wins in a season in franchise history.

The Broncos finish the year with their second consecutive No. 5 NFL ranking in overall offense (360.4 ypg.) and post the second-highest rushing total (2,539 yds.) in club annals. Denver’s run defense ranks second in the NFL (85.2 ypg.) and records the third-best single-season mark in team history. The Broncos finish the year ranked second in the NFL with a +20 turnover ratio and set a franchise record with a league-low 16 giveaways. Wide receiver Rod Smith totals his eighth 1,000-yard receiving season (1,105 yds.). The Broncos become only the third team in NFL history to have two 900-yard rushers (Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell), a 1,000-yard receiver (Rod Smith) and a 3,000-yard passer (Jake Plummer) in the same season.