Denver Broncos: Winners and Losers from Broncos' Win vs. Dolphins

The Denver Broncos pulled off a remarkable comeback Sunday in Miami knocking off the Dolphins 18-15 in overtime. Led by Tim Tebow, and an outstanding special teams play, the Broncos overcame a 15-0 deficit in the final four minutes of regulation to force OT and eventually win it.

The story of the day, and many days to come, was of course Tebow. The Broncos played well throughout the game defensively, keeping their team in it no matter how bad the offense looked at times.

It wasn't a perfect outing (it may not even have been a pretty one) but at the end of the day, they came away with a "W" and thanks to division rivals San Diego and Oakland both losing, the Broncos are somehow only two games back of the division lead.

Given the up and down nature of the afternoon, not everyone for Denver shined. Here and the winners and losers from their "W."

Loser: Kicker Matt Prater

Prater isn't guilty of much considering he sank a 52-yard game winning field goal in overtime. Although, if we're going to factor in Tebow's bumpy start before the comeback, we need to factor in the whole team's start including Prater's.

Prater missed two field goals during regulation, one from 49 yards and the other from 43. Had he nailed even one of those, the Broncos would not have needed the two-point conversion. In a game of this magnitude (the return of Tebow), you need to at least do your part, put the ball through the uprights.

Other than win the game, Prater didn't do much to help Tebow and his teammates. 

Loser: Kyle Orton

I can't decide what Orton struggled with more Sunday afternoon. Was it going out to midfield before the game, as a team captain, for the coin toss? Or was it going out to midfield a second time, at the start of overtime, knowing Tebow brought the team back and that he probably would never start again in Denver?

Either way, regardless of Orton's thought process, today was not a good one for him. He sat back, like he did in the second half against San Diego two weeks ago, and watched his job officially get taken away.

Broncos fans have got to hope that he is bitter and angry and opts out of the "mentor" role most former starters (and veterans) embrace. There isn't much I would want Orton teaching Tebow.

Loser: Willis McGahee

I wrote last week about how strong McGahee had been this season and how he had emerged as a leader offensively with his stellar performances, and for the most part McGahee kept that going today.

He has been having a solid season and has done a great job running the ball on a team that at times has not been able to pass the ball whatsoever. McGahee was doing that Sunday again, he had 76 yards on 18 carries before his mishap.

He took a hand off to the left of center in the third quarter and got hit hard, losing the ball (a costly turnover, as they all are) but in the process left the game with a broken hand. Reports say he will be OK, but any injury for a star back is costly.

Loser: Broncos Offensive Line

Oftentimes the inadequacies of a certain aspect of a teams performance can be masked in a "W." Especially when that "W" is a dramatic "come from behind, down 15-0 in the final three minutes, on the road" kind of "W."

The Broncos offensive line didn't come ready to play today and it showed throughout the game. They allowed their quarterback to get hit nine times, hurried 11 times, and sacked seven times. Their poor performance hindered the run game as well, the Dolphins as a team had eight tackles for a loss.  

The Broncos escaped with a big road win but head coach John Fox won't be too pleased with the performance of his team's biggest guys. There will be an interesting film session this week.

Winner: Broncos Fans

Another Broncos piece I wrote after the San Diego game two weeks ago called the Broncos fans winners then, the same they are being called winners now. 

Last time they were given preferential "winner" status, their team lost. So naturally, after a big road win they were a shoe-in for this spot. Their savior, Timmy Tebow, came through again as they always believed he would.

The "Tebow-Tebow" chants in Sun Life Stadium at the end of the game Sunday were deafening. Broncos nation is back. 

Winner: D.J Williams

Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams is having himself a pretty solid season. He has made a few big plays in key moments (he had a big sack in the San Diego game) and he was the defensive standout this Sunday against Miami.

Williams had himself a five tackle and one sack afternoon but his biggest contribution came in overtime when he got around the edge and blindsided Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore, forcing the game-changing fumble. 

Williams needs to keep up the momentum he has built over the past few weeks (21 tackles over his last three games) and continue to make big plays.

Winner: Brian Dawkins

Few guys have the resume that Brian Dawkins has. With over 1,100 tackles and 35 interceptions his ability to play safety, and play it well, is never questioned. Sunday, Dawkins put on a clinic reminding people why he isn't questioned.

He had five tackles (two coming behind the line of scrimmage) Sunday but he really made his presence felt with two sacks. It is not an everyday occurrence for a team to get pressure on the quarterback with their safeties but when you have a guy like Dawkins on your team, anything is possible.

The Broncos have a young and athletic defensive team led by young stars like Von Miller but reinforced by savvy vets like Dawkins. He will continue to have a strong season supporting the young talent around him.

Winner: Tim Tebow

My memory might not be serving me well at the moment but in my almost 20 years of life, I cannot remember the last time a road team won a game (in any sport) and walked off the field hearing their star's name chanted. 

Tebow, as you already know, is the most captivating and polarizing figure in football right now. Nobody draws more attention, forces more water cooler talk or has more critics (only on weeks the Cowboys win).

He had a pretty rough time getting into a rhythm for most of the afternoon, but once things started to come together, he hit his groove and made plays with his arm and legs. Two Sundays ago he led a comeback but fell just short, this Sunday the comeback was successful.

Who knows what he has up his sleeve next week.