DENVER — Pittsburgh fans may have a slightly different take on the game, but Denver fans are singing “Glory, glory hallelujah!” after quarterback Tim Tebow led the underdog Broncos to an unlikely 29-23 overtime playoff win against the Steelers in Denver on Sunday afternoon.
Tebow, who had struggled mightily after a miracle-tinged start as the Broncos starting QB, went 10-21 for 316 yards and two touchdowns, including an 80-yard strike to wide receiver Demaryius Moore on the first play of overtime to win. He also ran for 50 yards and a touchdown.
The performance helped erase the bad taste left after he struggled mightily to end the regular season, including a terrible performance in the Bronco’s final game of the regular season – a 7-3 loss at home last week against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The overtime period was the shortest in NFL history at just 11 seconds.
Tebow followers across the nation noted the significance of “316,” as the quarterback known for his evangelical Christian faith once wore the Bible verse John 3:16 on his eye-black adhesive during a game while playing for the University of Florida.
“One of the great things about our team is we’re a team that constantly believes,” Tebow told the Associated Press.
Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger, playing on an injured ankle, went 22-40 for 289 yards and one touchdown, and rallied the Steelers (12-5) from a two-touchdown deficit in the second half to force the game into overtime. He was also intercepted once and sacked five times.
Tebow, facing the NFL’s top-rated defense, was not picked-off or sacked on the game.
Willis McGahee led the Broncos rushing attack with 61 yards on 19 carries. Isaac Redmen led the Steelers with 121 yards on 17 carries.
The Broncos (9-8) will next go on the road to play the top-seeded New England Patriots (13-3) in the AFC Divisional Playoffs in Foxboro on Saturday night.
