Tim Tebow: Will Broncos Win AFC West with Tim Terrific as Starter?

The crowd finally got what they wanted.

After being forced to watch Kyle Orton throw more interceptions than any other quarterback in 2011, finally Tim Tebow got on the field.

With his team down 23-10, there wasn't a miracle comeback up Tebow's sleeve in the eventual 29-24 loss to the Chargers.

In fact, he displayed some of the traits that his critics have been harping on ever since he was drafted. No. 15 had issues with the center on multiple snaps, threw some horrific passes and didn't always make the right read.

So why is Bronco nation so excited?

Because there just seems to be something about the guy.

Despite completing four passes, he put his team in prime position for an incredible comeback before a last-second pass was batted to the ground.

Some of his success can be attributed to running the ball very effectively. He had six carries for 38 yards and a spectacular 12-yard TD run that put the Broncos within one score. He finished with a 6.3 yards per carry average.

The main reason Tebow almost pulled off the miracle upset?

Everybody believes in him.

There is no stat to measure it, but the Broncos seemed to play harder with Tebow. The fans were in a frenzy and the entire energy of the game changed in the second half. In the first half, it sounded like a funeral at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The guy is a natural leader and finds a way to rally everyone around him. It's one of the most important aspects of a QB and something Orton clearly lacks. It's something you can't teach or practice. You either have it or you don't.

Tebow has it.

Now the Broncos enter the bye week and have a full two weeks to prepare for the change under center.

Some of the early issues weren't even Tebow's fault. The first two possessions they ran an offense catered to Orton still, and Tebow got off to a slow start because he was forced in 3rd-and-long situations. Yet once they put him in the shotgun and allowed him to run the ball, the comeback was on.

The lockout really killed Tebow's progression and cost him the starting gig right off the bat. Now he's making up for it. He'll only get better as the season progresses, and the Broncos will end up with a respectable record.

Playoffs?

No, not this year, but after Sunday's display...there is finally hope in Denver for the first time since Josh McDaniels first came to town.

Let the Tim Tebow era begin.