What a game, and what an ending! After all the hype about how the overtime rules for the playoffs have changed, Tim Tebow and the Broncos proved that none of that mattered.
The new rules provided for both sides to get the ball, unless one team scores a touchdown on its first possession. Not only did Denver score a touchdown on the first series, they did it on the first play.
Credit brilliant play-calling by offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, and the blinding speed of wideout Demaryius Thomas. Tebow faked the hand-off to running back Willis McGahee, and then hit Thomas at the Denver 38, in the left flat. Thomas streaked through coverage all the way to the right, and shredded the Steeler secondary for the TD.
For those keeping score, Tebow passed for 316 yards (as in John 3:16), and his ten completions averaged 31.6 yards.
As to those who attack Tebow’s religious beliefs, and his aw-shucks manner, one wonders if there is some sort of Stockholm Syndrome going on, whereby the pundits not only accept, but actually prefer their sports stars to be thugs.
It’s anybody’s guess how the Broncos will do next week against New England, but one thing’s for sure: This Tebow kid is a gamer.