Tebow scores twice in first start as Broncos fall

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow performed well in his first NFL start on Sunday. The rest of his team? Not so much.

Tebow completed 50 percent of his passes (8-of-16) for 138 yards and a touchdown and added eight carries for 78 yards and a rushing score as Denver fell 39-23 on the road to the Oakland Raiders at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Both of Tebow’s touchdowns – a 40-yard QB draw on third-and-24 and 33-yard strike to wide receiver Brandon Lloyd – came in the first quarter and helped the Broncos jump out to an early 14-7 lead.

Unfortunately his defense and special teams failed to get him the ball more often. When they did, miscues followed.

Running back Lance Ball dropped a perfect pass from Tebow in the end zone for one touchdown, and Denver’s offensive line failed to provide the signal caller the type of protection he needed to make a number of other throws during the game.

Tebow’s 40-yard touchdown run was the longest by a signal caller in team history, and his 78 rushing yards are the second-most by a quarterback in a single game in the Broncos’ record books.

He also became only the third player (first rookie) in NFL history to complete a touchdown pass of 30 yards or more and run 40+ yards for a score in the same game.

It is unknown whether or not Tebow will retain the starting job for Denver’s next contest, a home game against Houston on Dec. 26.

Photo Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press