Tim Tebow might not have the greatest arm. He may not be the most accurate passer. He might not be the most fundamental quarterback. With that being said, Tebow does do one thing very well. That is winning football games.
Trailing 13-10, the former star at the University of Florida led a magical drive down the field late in the fourth quarter to win the game, 17-13, and hand the Jets their second straight demoralizing loss. Starting at their own five yard line with 5:54 remaining on the clock, Tebow led his best drive of his short NFL career to win the game for the Broncos. Tebow, who has predominately ran himself or handed the ball off in the games he has started, was forced to throw more than usual on the drive and was extremely successful. The drive would end with “Tebow magic.” On a third down and four at the Jets 20 yard line, Tebow would have a miraculous run to the left side running 20 yards into the end zone with just 58 seconds left on the clock. The defense came blitzing and Tebow read it perfectly scrambling to the left finding a hole and finding the end zone. It was one of the best and most clutch plays seen all season. The play put Denver on top, got them to 5-5 on the season, and gave them their third straight victory putting them right in the thick of the playoff race in the AFC West. Since taking over for Kyle Orton as quarterback, Tebow is 4-1 in just his second NFL season.
The Jets really hurt themselves in this game. There is a lot of fingers that could be pointed in this one, but it was a team effort and a very sloppy performance by the Jets in a game they should have won. The Jets came out playing very poorly on offense in the first half. It has been the same story all season for the Jets. They come out of the tunnel and never have a great first half. They have to play from behind put themselves in a position they should not have to be in. There is not one specific finger to point for this. The coaches have to do more to prepare the team early to come out of the gate firing. In the Jets last four games they have three total points in the first quarter. They cannot expect to be a playoff team if they cannot play four good quarters of football a game. Mark Sanchez needs to come out making smarter throws as well. Sanchez made a throw that should not have been made in the third quarter that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown. Also, last night special teams play was very poor. T.J. Conley punted a ball for a measly 13 yards. It would lead to a field goal by the Broncos. Kicker Nick Folk missed two field goals as well. That is a nine point swing that completely could have changed the outcome of this game. All these mistakes costed the Jets an important football game not only for the standings, but for the Jets morale as well.
The Jets really needed to win this game and they came out with one of their worst performances we have seen this season. In order to win, this team has got to play mistake free. It starts with the coaches. Rex Ryan has to prepare his team better than he did as well as all the other coaches. Offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer has been questioned all year for his questionable play calling. The Jets have been very conservative and predictable offensively this season. A lot is going to need to change if the Jets want to get one of the two wild card spots in the AFC this year. They are currently 5-5 with six games remaining. They will return home next Sunday to face the Bills. The Jets are in dire need of a victory as their playoff hopes start to slip away with each loss.
