Tim Tebow, Chael Sonnen, Al Davis and the Biggest Sports Moments of the Weekend

Denver Broncos fans got what they have been asking for this past weekend when quarterback Tim Tebow finally got a chance to play quarterback for an extended period of time in the Denver Broncos' loss to San Diego. 

Tebow's appearance was one of the biggest sports moments of the weekend even though his team didn't win because of what it represents. Not only does it look like Kyle Orton's days are numbered in Denver, but it also appears as if the coaches have finally recognized that although Orton has played adequately, the team just lacks the fire that a winning NFL team needs to possess.

This story was just part of the news from the weekend, though, as there were numerous other memorable events that will shape the course of sports. The UFC held one of the biggest cards of the year, UFC 136, from Houston in what turned out to be a wonderful success. In addition, the MLB league championship series got underway with Game 1 of both the ALCS and NLCS.

Let's take a look back at the weekend that was in the sports world as we count down the top five moments in sports from Saturday and Sunday.

NFL: Buffalo Bills Squash the Eagles' Hype

2011 wasn't supposed to be like this.

The Buffalo Bills were supposed to be terrible. The Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to be Super Bowl-bound.

Well these teams didn't get the memo.

Now an unbelievable 4-1 on the season, the Buffalo Bills' defense has never looked better than they did today as they swarmed Mike Vick with a relentless pass-rush, forcing him to throw four interceptions in a 24-31 loss in Buffalo.

Fantasy football owners who started Vick likely won't complain given his 315 yards passing, 90 yards rushing and two touchdowns; but the Bills will take the victory any way they can get it. 

MLB: ALCS and NLCS Get Started

The Major League Baseball season is winding down and we finally headed into the ALCS and NLCS league championship series over the weekend. 

Saturday saw the opening game as the Texas Rangers handled business at home, defeating the Detroit Tigers by a score of 3-2. Alexi Ogando earned the win, while likely Cy Young winner Justin Verlander got the loss. These two teams were set to play again on Sunday, but the game was rained out and will instead be played on Monday afternoon. 

Milwaukee's offense showed up to play on Sunday as they smacked around the Cardinals' Jaime Garcia to the tune of six runs in just four innings in the first game of the NLCS. Zach Greinke pitched poorly, allowing six runs of his own in six innings, but it was good enough to earn the win in this high-scoring affair.

UFC: Chael Sonnen Calls out Anderson Silva

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva was in attendance on Saturday night as his arch-nemesis Chael Sonnen manhandled fellow top contender Brian Stann in what was a very one-sided affair. Sonnen eventually submitted Stann in the second round of their contest, but it was what he did after the fight that had fans really talking.

Never one to be shy, Sonnen spoke out in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

"Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck!" he began as the crowd roared. "Super Bowl weekend, the biggest rematch in the history of the business, I'm calling you out Silva, but we're upping the stakes! I beat you, you beat the division...You beat me, I will leave the UFC forever."

It was pro wrestling-like, but hey, there's nothing wrong with a little theatrics every once in awhile. One thing's for sure, though, when these guys do finally lock horns again, there won't be any theatrics...there will only be ass-whoopings. 

NFL: Tim Tebow's Near Miracle

A disappointing 1-3 coming into yesterday's game against the odds-on division winning San Diego Chargers, the Denver Broncos needed a spark. The offense had moved the ball decently throughout the season, but it just wasn't on par with what the expectations were coming into the season.

Quarterback Kyle Orton just wasn't having his best game this afternoon as he had thrown for an abysmal 34 yards before the Broncos turned things over to second-year quarterback and fan-favorite Tim Tebow. 

Tebow had entered games for the occasional gadget play here and there throughout the season, but when Tebow went in to play quarterback on Sunday afternoon, he may have just earned himself the starting job for the rest of 2011. 

Down 16 points when he stepped into the game in the second half, Tebow brought the Broncos back within seconds of defeating the Chargers with a heroic second-half performance which included both a passing and a rushing touchdown.

It took a near-catch on a Hail Mary on the final play of the game for the Chargers to eek out a win in this one, but the big story is that it appears that a quarterback change has finally happened in Denver. 

NFL Remembers Al Davis

In what was unquestionably the most emotional story of the weekend, the Oakland Raiders lost long-time team owner Al Davis. The cause of the 82-year old's death has not yet been released, but his health had been a major concern for quite awhile prior to his passing.

Davis did it all in the sport from an administrative standpoint, as he coached, was a general manager, operated as the AFL league commissioner and finally spent 31-years as the owner of the Oakland Raiders franchise. He was a part of three Super Bowl teams and an AFL championship team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. 

Though his style was often criticized, it is impossible to question the impact that this man left on the sport of professional football as well as the lives of the people he touched both inside and outside of the game.