Love him or hate him, Tim Tebow has become one of the most interesting athletes in all of sports. He is arguably the most decorated college quarterback to ever play the game (two national championships and a Heisman Trophy). In only his second year as a pro, he took over a 1-4 last place team and carried them to the playoffs. He won a playoff game against the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and yet he still has doubters all over the media and NFL.
This Sunday, Tebow will look to add to his list of accomplishments, silence more haters and take the Broncos to the AFC Championship game for the first time since John Elway (now Vice President of the Broncos) was under center. However, this feat will not be easy. Three time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and the #1 seed New England Patriots are standing in the way. Ironically, with all of their success, they are looking to win their first playoff game in four years.
To make thing more interesting, the Broncos will be facing their former coach, Josh McDaniels who was just hired by the Pats as an offensive assistant coach. McDaniels turned heads when he traded up to draft Tebow in the first round. Now he will be looking to help the Patriots defeat the Broncos.
When asked about his former coach McDaniels and his new job, Tebow wished him the best of luck and expressed his thankfulness for McDaniels drafting him. When other Broncos players were asked about the Patriots new hire, they insisted it was not a big deal. Wide receiver Eddie Royal told reporters “everything McDaniels knows about them is on film anyways.”
The two teams met previously this year during week 15. The Patriots outplayed the Broncos and won 41-23. During the first quarter, the Broncos offense averaged 10 yards per play, Tebow completed 60% of his passes and the Broncos scored 2 early TDs; however, the rest of the game the Broncos averaged 4 yards per play, Tebow completed only 41% of his passes, was sacked 4 times and the Broncos only were able to score 10 points. The Broncos will need to keep Tebow on his feet and allow him the time to find open receivers in order for their offense to sustain scoring drives throughout the game.
Conversely, during the teams’ prior matchup, Tom Brady did what Tom Brady does. He kept the Patriots offense clicking all game long by completing 23-34 passes for 320 yards and 2 TDs.
This game has all the makings of an epic battle as Tebow magic faces the Brady master.
