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
Florida basketball: Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard de...
April 17, 2024
Florida basketball recruiting: Four-star G Alex Lloyd, ...
April 17, 2024
Florida football takeaways: DJ Lagway flashes, Gators w...
April 14, 2024
Florida basketball recruiting: Gators add F Sam Alexis ...
April 13, 2024
Florida basketball recruiting: Gators add C Rueben Chin...
April 18, 2024
Florida basketball: Walter Clayton Jr., Will Richard de...
April 17, 2024
Florida basketball recruiting: Four-star G Alex Lloyd, ...
April 17, 2024
Effin AWESOME on the run. Reminds me of his TD run up the gut against FSU in ’07. When he gets a head of steam going he’ll drag NFL guys too.
He threw the ball well today too. Tim is the real deal.
Way to go, Timmy!
Tebow was clearly held back by conservative play-calling that would’ve made Ron Zook look creative by comparison. It’s a testament to Tebow’s outstanding abilities that he was able to do as much as he did given how terrible the play-calling was, not to mention an atrocious offensive line. As always, it’s near magical watching that man play. I’m still shaking my head that we got 4 glorious years from him. Here’s hoping the Broncos organization build up the personnel to match his talents so he can lead them to win a ton of games like he did for the Gators.
I think Tebow played well, especially for his first start, but the one passing TD was lucky to not be picked off. Also, the play calling was conservative, but it was probably due to his inexperience with the offense. I think even with the limited playbook, they could have won if they could have ran at all and the Broncs D had showed. A good first start and I was happy to see him make some good throws.
Way to go Tim! You are, and always will be, the man!
Conservative play-calling was to be expected. Tebow played great considering the miserable team he has around him. Even on the pass that should ave been picked it was right on the money. Tebow can play in this league and there’s not a damn thing wrong with his arm. I’d take Tebow over Romo as my future QB an day and Jerry Jones can kiss my ass.
Goes to show that the work he has put in on his passing has paid off. As many good throws as he made with the Gators, most were never exactly pretty. That pass there was spot an and as tight a spiral as you could ever ask for.
The run was impressive as well, especially when you stop and remember that this is Tim Tebow, not Michael Vick or Pat White. Speedy he is not and long runs were never his specialty but he made it look effortless there.