With 29 seconds left, the clock ticking, and the Jets with just one timeout left the Colts…called a timeout? Really? Manning himself was stunned by the call.
Tim Tebow threw for 205 yards and 2 TD’s, and rushed for 94 more and another TD. But his late comeback attempt fell just short and the Broncos locked up the #2 pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
At halftime the Broncos trailed 17-0 and appeared to be destined for another loss. Then Tim Tebow took over. It’s still too early to tell, but Tebow may just be the leader that the Broncos have so desperately lacked.
Tim Tebow will make his first home start for the Broncos, and will probably provide a spark. However, the Broncos’ awful defense will have major problems with the high-powered Texans offense.
Tim Tebow provided a spark for the Broncos in his first NFL start, running 40 yards for a touchdown on a 3rd-and-24 and hitting Brandon Lloyd on a 33-yard TD pass in the 1st quarter. Tebow was solid in his debut. The Bronco defense, however, is about as solid as the marshmallows in your cup of hot chocolate.
Tim Hightower ran for 148 yards and 2 TD’s, and kicker Jay Feely scored a TD on a fake field goal to lead the Cardinals to their first win in over two months. Is there a rock-bottom for the Broncos?
The Broncos had a chance to play spoiler and steal this one from their hated rivals on the road, but poor play-calling in the final minutes by Josh McDaniels killed that chance. Kyle Orton was terrible, completing only 9 of 28 passes, and the Chiefs rushed for 185 yards as they beat the Broncos in the final act of the tragedy that was Josh McDaniels’ head coaching stint.
The Broncos’ free-fall continued as the defense gave up 431 yards to the young Rams offense. Sam Bradford had his first 300-yard passing performance, adding 3 TD passes as the Rams moved into a tie for first in the NFC West with Seattle. As bad as Denver’s defense is, I’m not sure that Elvis Dumervil would have made a difference.
This wasn’t a game the Broncos were expected to win, but it was a game they could have won. While it bodes better for the team going forward, it also served to put a giant spotlight on the weaknesses of this team, and in the NFL weaknesses that go unimproved get exploited, quickly and mercilessly.
Tim listens well, learns well, and stays out of off-field trouble. He is the ideal student for a coach looking to bark orders and take no lip. And yet, no matter how hard McDaniels pushes, Tebow will forever remain… the unflappable Tim Tebow.
