Just when you thought it couldn’t possibly show another close-up of Tom Brady or Tim Tebow, CBS just kept giving us more, more, more. Brady peering toward the sideline for the play. Tebow on the sideline, adjusting his shoulder pads. An inspired Brady calling his teammates together for a chat. A pensive Tebow on the bench, glancing up at the scoreboard.
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Maybe all the focus on the quarterbacks was to be expected. After all, when he was awarded the coveted title of “Sexiest Man Alive” by People magazine in 2007, Matt Damon suggested it should have gone to Brady. If Christianity Today had the same award, Tebow would be the overwhelming favorite.
So Sunday afternoon was about the matinee idol signal-callers in New England’s 41-23 victory. It also was about emboldening the NFL establishment that says a man who plays quarterback like a linebacker can’t possibly win in this league.
Brady is the ideal. He stands in the pocket, steady and in control. Tebow is anything but — football’s version of Raging Bull.
While Brady completed 23 of 34 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday, Tebow was his usual scattershot self, completing 11 of 22 passes for 194 yards and sustaining a 28-yard sack. While New England (11-3) clinched the AFC East, Denver (8-6) has work left in the AFC West.
But don’t take too much from Denver’s defeat. The Broncos showed that their ever-evolving offense — now morphing into a flat-out option spread — gives them their best chance to win. Denver rolled to a 16-7 lead before unraveling in the second period, with three fumbles giving New England 17 gift-wrapped points.
When the third quarter ended and the game moved to Tebow Time, Denver was down 34-16 and the Broncos were out of their comfort zone. Tebow, who rushed 12 times for 93 yards and two touchdowns, rallied Denver for one score. But Brady answered right back.
Sunday was more about a Denver defense not quite ready for prime time. The Broncos are still a game up in the division and have a 7-2 record since Tebow became the starter. After a 45-10 loss at home to Detroit, Denver bounced back. The guess here is that the Broncos will do it again.
– Kevin Dunleavy
