All the experts on television, in print, on the internet, and on the radio said that the way to beat Tim Tebow and the Broncos was to get a lead, stop the run game, and force Tebow to beat you through the air and not on the ground. If you get to 20 points, then you will win the game. Well, add another thing about Tebow and the Broncos that proved to be false. The Broncos did it again on Sunday in their 35-32 thriller over the Minnesota Vikings. This game proved some theories wrong as the Broncos trailed by eight points on three separate occasions. All three times the Broncos and Tebow answered. Tebow beat the Vikings through the air. He has his best passing game as a pro, and he finished 10-15 for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. In a game where the Broncos defense sorely missed Von Miller, who missed the game with a thumb injury, the Broncos offense picked up the slack, and put up over 30 points for the second time this season. Down 15-7 at the half, Tebow hit DeMaryius Thomas on a 21 yard touchdown pass to open the second half and cut it it 15-14. After Christian Ponder hit Percy Harvin on a 52 yard catch and run, the Vikings took a 22-14 lead. Back came the Broncos. Aided by a big return by Quan Cosby, Tebow scrambled and as he was going out of bounds he found a wide open Thomas, who then rumbled in for a 41 yard catch. 22-21 Vikings. At this point, you would think the Denver's defense would step up the way it had the previous five weeks, but Ponder and Vikings answered again, and another Harvin catch and run gave the Vikes a 29-21 lead with 9:41 to play. Enter Tebow once again with the game on the line. A beautiful Tebow to Thomas pass play gave the Broncos prime field position. The next play, Willis McGahee, who rushed for 111 yards, rumbled in for 24 yard touchdown. The Broncos were down 29-27 with 8:52 to play had to go for two. Who else was going to get the ball in that situation? Tebow rumbled in and the game was tied at 29. The Vikings again moved the ball down the field and got a field goal from Ryan Longwell to take a 32-29 lead. Here goes Tebow again. A first down completion to Matt Willis started the drive, and Tebow hit DeMaryius Thomas on another beautiful long pass to give the Broncos a chance to tie it. Tebow's throw to Thomas on 3rd down was there, but it just bounced of the receiver's finger tips. Matt Prater nailed the field goal, and with under two minutes left, the Broncos had tied it again at 32. Christian Ponder played really great all day long, but he made a crucial mistake on the Vikings first play. He was baited by cornerback Andre Goodman, and Goodman picked off Ponder and returned it to the Vikings 15. After a first down, the Broncos set it up for Prater, who nailed the game-winning 23 yarder as time expired. The Broncos won another last minute game, and this time it was on the strength of Tebow's arm, not his legs. Give credit to Willis McGahee, and the Broncos defense for getting a few key stops and a bgi turnover at the end. The Broncos wild and fun ride continues, and they now stand at 7-5 and winners of five straight games. They currently are tied for first place in the AFC West. It has been a long time since I have said those words, and it has been some of the most exciting, heart pounding moments as a Broncos fan that I have seen in a while. I just hope it keeps going.
Here are some of my thoughts and observations from the game.......
1) Right now this is the most fun I have had since the 2005 season when the Broncos went 13-3 and advanced to the AFC Championship Game. I got a text from a friend who is a Jet fan, and he asked how it was to watch meaningful football again. It really hasn't been that long since Denver was in the playoff hunt. Remember, they were 8-4 in 2009, and they proceeded to lose four straight. It has felt like it has been about 10 years since they had a winning record after 12 games. Like I said, I just want to enjoy this and take it one game at a time.
2) This game proved how good Von Miller is on this team. The Broncos couldn't generate a consistent pass rush like they did the past few weeks, and they got carved up by Christian Ponder. We need Miller back big time if there is any hope for us to make a run down the stretch.
3) Willis McGahee continues to be a beast. How about that transactions as one of the best offseason moves this Summer? McGahee ran for 111 yards and a touchdown, and early 4th quarter touchdown run was a thing of beauty.
4) The Vikings completely dominated time of possession. They held the ball for over 37 minutes, and they ran over 80 plays-including over 40 in the first half. That was a big factor in the play of Denver's defense. The Broncos defense was on the field for so much of the game. Give the Broncos credit though. Their defense got a pick six early by Mario Haggan, and Andre Goodman's interception late in the fourth quarter set up the game winning field goal.
5) Speaking of Goodman's interception, that moment was one of the best of the season. I haven't jumped that high in a long time, and when Goodman picked it off, I jumped so high I almost hit my head on my ceiling. Awesome moment.
6) The last five weeks have been so tense and thrilling, that I literally haven't sat down. Every week it is the same: I pace back and forth, go take a piss about 25 times a quarter, and think about how this is the week when we finally lose. Have I mentioned how wild this ride has been so far?
7) Tim Tebow made huge throws this game, and he beat the Vikings with his arm. He completed 10-15 passes for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. These were throws that Tebow was missing the first few games this season. Yes, I do know that the Vikings secondary is awful, so that will have to come into consideration, but you have to like the progress Tebow made this week.
8) The Broncos have now won five straight games, six of seven overall, and now have a 7-5 record. That is the longest streak since the first six games of the 2009 season. Also, they are have five straight road games and stand at 5-2 on the road this year with only one road game left. The Broncos return home to face the Bears who are also 7-5 after they lost two in a row without Jay Cutler.
No comments:
Post a Comment