NFL:  BRONCOS DEFEAT THE STEELERS

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            UNTIL AFTER THE CURRENT NFL SEASON, “SPORTS NOTEBOOK” WILL POST NEW EVERY MONDAY INSTEAD OF ON TUESDAY, continuing with a new post every Friday.  Editor, Marvin Leibstone. Comments to: mlresources1@aol.com

NFL  ---  “Luck,” “Skill & Return of the Tim Tebow Magic,” “Answered Prayers,”  call it as you wish: the Denver Broncos, having upset the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Mile High Stadium, 29-23, are headed east to face the New England Patriots for an ascension game, the team’s not-so-distant goals an AFC championship and Super Bowl XLVI dominance.

After a slow start against the Steelers, the Broncos Tebow-led offense racked up 20 points by halftime, the Steelers, six. However, the Steelers came back and scored repeatedly, regulation play ending at 23-23, thus overtime and an alignment of happenings that favored the Broncos, starting with a luck of the toss: the Broncos won the OT call. Next, a Steelers kick set up a Broncos possession that ended with receiver Demaryius Thomas running 80 yards for a touchdown that put Denver ahead, Hey Steelers, see ya next year.

Hard to say if intended but what worked efficiently for the Broncos was Tebow being a lot less readable than during the team’s eight losses. The Steelers wanted to force Tebow to pass the ball, figuring that he’d pass late and suffer numerous incompletes. But throughout much of the game, it seemed that Tebow was fulfilling the Steelers wish “on purpose,” surprising them with accurate throws: ten of Tebow’s completions resulted in a gain of more than 310 yards, and his short-range passes resulted in a 30 yard TD catch by Eddie Royal (wide receiver), plus a 40-yard TD catch by Daniel Fells (tight end).

Too, the Tebow-led offense included three successful Matt Prater FG’s, and Thomas receiving for more than 100 yards during regulation play.

And, while a penetrable Denver defense allowed openings in the second half, it held the Steelers back when it counted most, example: Elvis Dumervil keeping Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger from achieving enough yards for a game-winning FG during final seconds of the game.

The Broncos and Patriots will face off come Saturday night. This page will carry pre-game analysis, Friday, January 13.  

ON Saturday, the Houston Texans beat the Cincinnati Bengals, 31-10, and the New Orleans Saints defeated the Detroit Lions, 45-28. On Sunday, the New York Giants demolished the Atlanta Falcons, 24-2. The Denver 29-23 takedown of the Steelers was the only weekend post-season competition won by less than 14 points---though it’s uphill now for the Broncos, there’s “Luck,” “Skill & Return of the Tim Tebow Magic,”  and “Answered Prayers.” 

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