The Broncos went into San Diego yesterday against a desperate Chargers team. On the road, against a team that has owned them, Denver and Tim Tebow did it again with another improbable comeback win over the Chargers in overtime 16-13. Denver trailed 10-0 early in the second quarter, but a Tebow to Eric Decker touchdown pass late in the first half, cut the lead to 10-7. The second half played out just the way Broncos wanted it to: Keep it close, stick with the game plan on offense, play great defense, and win it late. Down 13-7, the Broncos were able to cut the lead to 13-10. With the help of a Nick Novak missed field goal, it became Tebow Time once again. Down by three and facing a 3rd and 11 from his own 25, Tebow stood in the pocket, waited, and finally found Eric Decker open deep. On his best throw of the game, Tebow threw a beautiful ball to Decker, who made an unbelievable diving catch for a 39 yard gain to the Chargers 36. Tebow then hit Dante Rosario down the sideline for a 23 yard gain down to the San Diego 12, and the Broncos were knocking on the door. After the Chargers held, with some help by some questionable Denver play-calling, the Broncos tied it at 13 with a Matt Prater field goal. Norv Turner went very conservative with the ball and over 1:34 left in the game, and the game headed to overtime. In OT, Tebow and the Broncos twice had possession. A challenged call from the booth overturned what would have been a Broncos first down on a completion from Tebow to Jeremiah Johnson on third and 11. Johnson's elbow hit down just a half yard short of the first down. The Chargers began to put together a drive, and Ryan Matthews began to run through the Denver defense. With the ball at the 35 yard line. The Broncos stuffed three straight runs, and it set up a 53 yard field goal attempt by Novak. Novak missed it right, and Denver had the ball for the third time in the extra frame. Tebow and the Broncos made them pay this time. Tebow sprinted right for a first down, up the middle for a short gain, and then Willis McGahee galloped for 24 yards to the San Diego 17. From there, Prater ended it with a dramatic 37 yard field goal, and the Broncos won it 16-13. The past four weeks have been as exciting and entertaining for a Broncos fan in years. There is really no way to describe it. The Broncos are now sitting at 6-5, and second in the AFC West. Also, they are only trailing the Bengals by a game for the final wild card spot. As remarkable as Tebow was late again, the defense deserves the credit. They harassed Philip Rivers all game long, and they were able to get stop after stop in crucial situations. The Broncos are not only believing in Tim Tebow. They believe in themselves, and that could make for a very fun next month for the Broncos and their fans. Here are my quick thoughts and observations from the game.......
1) Say what you want about Tim Tebow's passing ability, but with the game on the line Tebow delivered from the pocket. His 3rd down throw to Eric Decker was simply sensational, and he threw the ball well for most of the game. If it wasn't for a few big drops his numbers would have been better, and the Broncos offense might have scored more points. It is amazing to watch him every week. He is now 5-1 as a starter this year, and you can't argue with those numbers.
2) The Broncos defense is playing lights out. Elvis Dumervil had two sacks and is back to creating havoc. Von Miller is the Defensive Rookie of the Year, and his stop on Mike Tolbert late in overtime was tremendous. Their secondary is playing very well, and they finally got after Philip Rivers and kept him in check. The Orange Crush defense would be very proud of how the Broncos have played the last four games.
3) The turning point in the game was late in the first half. The Chargers had the ball at the Denver 44 with 6:08 left and up 10 points. A score there could have really put the Broncos in trouble. Instead Denver's defense got a three and out, and eventually Denver got the late score to make it 10-7.
4) I'm not going to go crazy about John Fox's decision making because he is playing the percentages and trusting his defense in overtime. Denver faced a 4th and 1 from their own 44 on the first possession, and Fox elected to punt. Denver got the ball back and faced a 4th and inches from their own 39, and again Fox elected to punt. It worked out in his favor, but if the Broncos lost, people would be looking at those two decisions again.
5) Willis McGahee continues to be a beast and he gained 117 yards on the ground yesterday. He is so good running the ball out of the spread attack. He simply gashed the Chargers on those inside runs, especially late in the game and in overtime.
6) The Chargers have been a thorn in the Broncos side the past five seasons. With their backs against the wall, you knew this was going to be a slugfest for the Broncos. They were able to keep it close, and they made the plays at the end to win it. It was so nice to see them bury Philip Rivers and walk out of San Diego with a huge win because the Chargers have owned them for so long. If you take out the Ed Hochuli game in 2008, the Broncos have only beaten the Chargers once since 2006.
7) The Broncos are now 6-5 and in the thick of the AFC West and AFC Playoff picture. They head to Minnesota next week to take on a feisty Vikings team. The bottom line is that the Broncos have made a remarkable turnaround from 1-4, and who knows where this could be headed. I just know one thing: Winning is contagious, and I just don't want this run to end.
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