Steelers vs. Broncos: Questionable Call Proves Tim Tebow Has Fate on His Side

The biggest lesson we’ve learned during the 2011 NFL season is simple, and that is that Tim Tebow is some sort of magician. Time and time again, a freak situation ends up favoring No. 15.

His story is incredible. The fact that a quarterback who completes less than 50 percent of his passes is able to take a 1-4 team and go on an 8-4 run for the ages has turned the NFL upside down. It defies all logic.

It makes you wonder if a higher power is aiding the most religious player in the sport.

First, it was scoring 15 points in under five minutes with a successful onside kick against the Dolphins. Then it was Marion Barber’s completely inexcusable decision to run out of bounds, which allowed the Broncos to tie the game in another improbable comeback against the Bears. In total, there have been five miracle comebacks during the regular season.

Then Sunday happened.

On the first play of OT against the No. 1 ranked Steelers defense, Tebow torched them on an 80-yard slant to Demaryius Thomas. Yet, if you look at a replay of the formation, the Broncos only had six players on the line of scrimmage. By league rule, an offensive formation must have at least seven players on the line.

Tight end Dante Rosario, located at the top of the screen, is clearly over a full yard off it.

In a league that has become the biggest stickler on the rulebook in sports, it’s surprising no call was made. By definition of the rule, the play should have been flagged for illegal formation. Does the league have a response?

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello has come forward and assured angry Steelers fans the no-call was the right call.

"

There is nothing to this. This is a legal formation. This should not have been flagged.

"

Mike Pereira, former vice president of officiating agreed.

So, maybe there wasn’t a higher power of some sort on Tebow’s side. However, the whistle could have easily been blown. Did the ref accidentally eat his whistle at the worst possible time because of a higher power?

I’m not here to take any of the credit away from Tebow. His faith and will to win is off the charts. However, this is just another example of a fluky situation that somehow benefits the Mile High Messiah.

And the legend continues to grow…