In the immediate hours following the Denver Bronco’s 17-13 win over the New York Jets, one name has, unjustly, resonated across all sporting networks. Scoring the game winning touchdown with 58 seconds to play, Tim Tebow found 20 yards which would win the game, but what about the other 3542 seconds?
Completing 9 of 20 passes for 104 yards and rushing for an additional 68 which included the game winning touchdown, Tebow had done very little leading into the final quarter to suggest he was going to win the game.
Backing up his 112 yard game last week with this week’s 172 yard game, Tebow is impressively winning games with little productivity. Herein lies the mistakes of commentators, news networks and radio stations. Tebow is not winning these games despite the Bronco’s being 4-1 with him as starter.
His defence and special teams are. Yet he is copiously described as “magical”, “inspirational” and “wonderkid”. He may be all of these, but if so, his defence walks on water.
Assessing the entirety of all four quarters, Tebow did not complete half his passes, many of which were uncatchable. He converted only three third downs including just one in the first three quarters from 13 attempts and completed only two downfield passes for more than ten yards.
So if Tebow gave such a mediocre performance how did the Bronco’s win this game? The answer is thanks to their defence.
The old football adage of ‘defence wins games’ was none truer than on Thursday night. Keeping the Jets to just three third down conversions from 14 attempts, the Bronco’s defence led by rookie Von Miller repeatedly stoped the Jets offence, returning the ball to Tim Tebow for another opportunity. It was only a matter of time before Tebow would make a big play from repeated attempts.
With a game high nine tackles, three for a loss, 1.5 sacks for 12 sack yards, one forced fumble, one pass deflected and four quarterback hits, Miller delivered the greatest defensive rookie performances in recent history which has been unfortunately been overshadowed by Tim Tebow.
Added to Miller’s phenomenal performance, Andre Goodman picked off Jets QB Mark Sanchez to return it for a touchdown.
In many ways the Jets lost this game with two missed field goals, a shanked punt and a mistimed snap which cost them 20 yards at a critical juncture.
Playing defence has always been a thankless job, but with media and fan favourite Tebow now leading this team, the Bronco’s defence should get use to it. So much has Tebow reinvigorated football in Denver, his act of ‘Tebowing’ (http://tebowing.com/) has led fans to photograph themselves preying randomly in assorted locations.
Tim Tebow remains one of the most exciting players in the league to watch but please stop hailing him as “magical”. He has been involved in four wins and one loss since being handed the starting job and much of those wins are thanks to his defence and special teams.
He may have scored the game winning touchdown, but Tim Tebow did not win that game against the Jets on Thursday Night Football.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
You might think that, but Tim Tebow has rushed 56 times for 388 yards in 8 games, which is not what I'd refer to as an occasional quarterback sneak. On a full season basis, thats a 110 carry, 700 yard rusher. Thats not a bad second running back. As to Orton and Tebow in the same backfield, why not ? I'd go halfback, option back and quarterback, myself.
Alfred Chan
Expert
It would be silly of me to dismiss Tebow but I figured I'd try to even up some of the attention. Not too much has been written about Von Viller's game compared to Tebow's.
EricBloom
Roar Rookie
The only thing more overrated than Tim Tebow is a commitment from Kim Kardashian.
Alfred Chan
Expert
As exciting as it would be to see Orton and Tebow in the same backfield the snap capable of going to either, it won't happen. Coaches are aware of the injuries likely to be caused by running their QB hence play call are not made beyond the QB sneak. When a QB runs, it's usually the QB's decision after the initial play call has broken down and it's the only/best option. In the past few years, Michael Vick, Vince Young and Dennis Dixon have all copped repeat injuries while running the ball. It's no coincidence that we did not see Tebow running the ball until the final stages of the fourth quarter when it was a sink or swim situation. As for running QB's I would consider only Michel Vick, Cam Newton and Tim Tebow as running QB's. Vince Young's game changed too much since his days at Texas.
David
Guest
Amazing how a defense can go from winning 1 out 4 to winning 4 out 5 with a change of QB and you can't find it in your heart to give him the praise that is due. I am sick of commentators repeatedly saying the Broncos can't win under him only for it to be proved otherwise. Sport is about what's in the mind and Tim knows how to win and believes they can win. I saw the opposing QB throw some beautiful passes but it all amounted to nothing. Give me the ugly win anytime. Tim is redefining the way NFL can be played and we are lucky to be able to watch history being made. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Mushi
Guest
I think he's talking pro not college where a lot of "white" colleges still run the option. Taverns jacskon is a mobile qb not a genuine rushing qb just look at his horrible rushing numbers for a non bcd college team. Using him as a tebow comparable is about as useful as Dan marino
Mushi
Guest
The old false adage is offense wins games defense wins championships.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Macca, Running QBs are not rare - it's been a staple of many of the historically black college teams for years ... "Option offense" is the phrase to look for. Its an interesting plan, but sooner or latter running QBs get smashed (cf Tarvaris Jackson vs the Giants, where he had his pectoral muscles blown up on a QB run). Personally, I'd just treat Tebow as a running back who can throw, and bring in a real QB to stand between him and the center.
Macca
Guest
Most of the press about Tebow is disparaging...ie he can't pass etc...you have continued the same analysis. He is a running back/full-back and quarterback all in one. This makes him a rare commodity. I believe he is an enjoyable player to watch- and I hope he gets some success along the way just purely for his entertainment value. Re: your point on Von Miller being important- no one can deny this, but to dismiss Tebow as a talent is premature. Let's wait and see.