December 29, 2002 - This is the only year that the Broncos played a game on December 29. The 8-7-0 Broncos were hosting the 5-10-0 Arizona Cardinals in the season finale for both teams. Denver won the game 37-7. Two things make this contest remarkable. The first is that rookie RB Clinton Portis recorded his 8th 100+ yards game of the season by rushing for 228 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The other thing that made this game interesting was that Denver QB Steve Beuerlein (16 of 24 for 203 yards, 2 touchdowns) outdueled Arizona QB Jake Plummer (13 of 27 for 132 yards, 1 touchdown) -- Plummer would sign with Denver as a free agent following the 2002 season. He went on to a 9-2 record in his first season in the orange and blue, finishing with what would prove to be a career high 91.2% passer rating.