Individually, Terrell Davis became only the fourth back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. John Elway reached the coveted 50,000-yard passing plateau, joining Dan Marino, and also threw the 300th touchdown pass of his career, joining Marino and Fran Tarkenton. Jason Elam tied an NFL record by kicking a 63-yard field goal.

The Broncos also equaled a team high by sending nine players to the Pro Bowl.

What could possibly be wrong in Broncoland as Denver prepares for a divisional playoff game against Miami this Saturday?

Well, for starters, their pass defense remains suspect, ranking a dismal 26th in the NFL. And, despite the slew of offensive records, the Broncos still haven't recaptured the offensive swagger that intimidated so many opponents early in the season.

Over the last seven games, Denver opponents, sensing a vulnerability, threw the ball effectively at a per-game average of 268 yards. Miami's Marino, without a decent ground game, blitzed the Broncos for 355 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-21 victory.

The week before, New York Giants quarterback Kent Graham completed key passes, including a 37-yard game-winner to Amani Toomer with 48 seconds left to hand the Broncos their first loss, 20-16.

Denver finished the season as the NFL's No. 3 offense, averaging 380.8 yards per game. But an attack that seemingly scored at will and built huge early leads in the first 13 games became merely mortal by year's end.

After the two confidence-shattering losses in Weeks 14 and 15, the Broncos rallied to roll over Seattle in the regular-season finale -- generating 511 total yards in a 28-21 win -- and appeared to have their groove back as they entered the postseason, intent on defending their Super Bowl title.

"Any time you have over 500 yards and 30 first downs, it's a good way to end the season," coach Mike Shanahan said.

"This was a game we needed badly," Davis said. "We needed to come out and establish the run, just be the Broncos again."

Elway said it was "crucial for us to get back and get the feeling of winning again and playing better, especially offensively, and get over that hump of 13 wins. Thirteen scared me."

It should have. Thirteen wins would not only have meant the Broncos ended the season with three straight defeats. Thirteen also carried a stigma. The Broncos had finished 13-3 on two previous occasions (1984, 1996), and both times they unexpectedly lost their first playoff game.

They still carry scars from the 30-27 upset loss to upstart Jacksonville two years ago.

Comparisons have been made to Denver's Super Bowl campaign of a year ago, when they also lost their 14th and 15th games, but regrouped at crunch time.

"Last year, we had some lapses in Pittsburgh and San Francisco, but when it really mattered, we played our best football," Shanahan said, "and that's what we're capable of doing.

"That's what you have to have when you get in the playoffs, because everybody's going to give you their best shot. I'm looking for our offense, defense and special teams to be at the top of their game."

One favorable difference from last year is the Broncos' run defense. A year ago, they surrendered more than 5.0 yards per carry for much of the season. This year, their run defense -- considered a yardstick for success in the playoffs -- was third-best in the NFL, allowing just 80.4 yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry.

The 1,287 yards rushing allowed by the Broncos are the fewest in team history. And Denver's last seven foes averaged a meager 55 yards per game on the ground.

Still, for some players there remain nagging doubts.

"I think we were more confident last year than we are now," veteran safety Tyrone Braxton said. "It just doesn't seem like we have the confidence we should have for a team that's 14-2. It doesn't seem like we're dominating enough."