Tim Tebow: Late-Game Heroics in Playoffs Put Broncos' QB in a New Light

Talk about silencing the crowd.

When Denver Broncos starting QB Tim Tebow got the first shot at taking the job, the critics said it was a decision solely based on a popularity contest. It was Tebow who lacked the ability to throw accurately and survive as a starting QB.

After a 7-1 start—featuring multiple final-drive wins that shocked the league, critics said Tebow was winning games over banged-up, mediocre teams. With a three-game losing streak to finish the season, those same people claimed Tebow was a pretender, set to fail in the NFL playoffs under the spotlight.

Now with a first-round playoff game win in overtime against last year's Super Bowl-finalist Pittsburgh Steelers, what is left for critics to claim?

Tebow and his Denver Broncos will play in the divisional round against the New England Patriots. The Broncos QB is now given a new sense of legitimacy as a starter in the NFL. 

Going 8-4 as the team's starting QB—including the victory over the Steelers—Tebow has been improving steadily as starter in the league from his first outing to his last.

In an overtime victory over the Miami Dolphins in his first start, Tebow would record 161 yards and two passing touchdowns.

In Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers—arguably the most solid defense in the NFL today—Tebow would throw for a career-high 316 yards, two touchdowns and ran for 50 yards and a touchdown as well.

This steady improvement from Tebow is not only a promising sign for a team that expected to finish under .500 this season, but it is also a sign that this is the starting QB for the future of this franchise.

Despite going up against the New England Patriots in the divisional round in what will be a sure-fire loss for Tebow and company, there is no question his late season run has had heads turning quickly and readily.

In analyzing Tebow as a potential starting QB in the league, inevitably his mechanics will continue to come into question.

With more patience and several more inches of accuracy of the football, Tebow easily completes 60-70 percent of his passes instead of the 10-of-21 game he posted against the Steelers.

No question about it.

Yet, what makes this QB such a unique, interesting player at the position is that despite poor completion percentage and times where it looks as if he can't buy a completion, Tebow wins games.

As the greats will always say, the most important statistic in any sport, what separates the good from the great, are a player's wins.

Tebow's 8-4 performance, following a 1-4 start for the Broncos on the season, is unheard of—and simply the icing on the cake. Add a win in his first playoff game over last year's AFC top-dog Steelers, and you have the cherry on top.