(Image Source: Los Angeles Times)

BY MOLLY HULSEY

The Mile-High Messiah has done it again.

Down 10-0 against the Bears with just over two minutes to go, Tim Tebow led the Broncos to another improbable overtime victory, their third this season.

The Broncos are 7-1 since naming the devout Christian their starter, and their miraculous turnaround has people wondering - is faith the secret to the team’s success?

From The Denver Post:

“Logic fails to explain this [win], unless you consider: Denver played as if victory were preordained. What if football wasn't unscripted drama, but a movie directed from heaven? Got to admit, I don't buy it. But some Broncos do... Maybe what you believe is not as important as believing it with all your heart.”

That belief has Matt Prater, who kicked game-tying and winning field goals from 59 and 51 yards Sunday, loving the game again.

"‘This has been probably the most fun I’ve ever had playing football,’ … ‘Where in the past you kind of feel like you’re just going to your job, now it’s back to high school football—where you’re playing with all your friends and you’ve got all their backs.’"

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burks says Tebowmania is hurting opponents as much as it is helping Denver.

“It was easy enough to chalk [wins] up to Denver’s new quarterback giving the entire team a jolt... The reason this Broncos run has continued goes beyond that. What’s happening now is that opposing teams are starting to buy in, too. No one will ever admit to it, of course, but Tebow is in the league’s head.”

NBC Sports’ Mike Florio has one example of an opponent that does admit - he believes in the mile high messiah.

“I firmly believe that he has a detrimental impact on the confidence of the opponents... And the most significant comments of the week I think came from Karlos Dansby of the Dolphins, who said that he and other members of the Dolphins believed that God was working through Tim Tebow during that win back in October when the Broncos came from 15 points down late to win the game. Don’t underestimate the impact of that belief.”

But an LA Times writer isn’t so sure Tebow should be earning the praise for Denver’s recent wins.

“Is Tebow getting too much credit for the team's success? After all, the dramatic comebacks wouldn't be possible if it weren't for Denver's defense keeping the games within reach -- and they often wouldn't be necessary if it weren't for three or so quarters of ineffective play by the quarterback.”

To that-- NFL Network’s Michael Irvin points out - it’s the same roster that had only one win before Tebow.

“That defense that’s been playing so well - how were they playing when they were 1-4? Before Tebow got in there? They were not playing the same either. So don’t tell me only about the defense, the defense got new once they got Tebow over there.”

The victory is the Bronco’s 6th second half comeback - 5 of which were in the fourth quarter.  Tebow has the second best winning percentage for a starting quarterback this season - trailing only Aaron Rodgers.