(Image source: The Denver Post)

 

BY SAM KOROTKIN

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

You're watching multisource sports news analysis from Newsy.

When Tim Tebow hits the field, fans go crazy, critics roll their eyes, and analysts start talking.

Tebow fever has become a pandemic of sorts in Denver- and it finally broke Sunday- the former Heisman winner started the second half against the Chargers. ESPN’s Bill Williamson explains what Tebow is capable of.

“Has an NFL crowd ever departed a stadium this pleased after seeing the home team fall to 1-4? That’s the power of Tebow… The crowd was so fired up that Tebow was finally inserted in place of the struggling Kyle Orton, the reality of another loss didn’t matter.”

Trailing 26-10, Tebow gave the fans hope- leading the Broncos to a near comeback- but ultimately losing 29-24.

Tebow started the final three games for the Broncos last year. The Denver Post’s Woody Paige says when it comes to erasing deficits, Tebow’s the go-to guy.

“When trailing at halftime, the Broncos have been beaten in 19 of their past 20 games. The one exception was Tebow’s start against Houston. He almost did it—again.”

While the Broncos didn’t win with Tebow in the pocket, Broncos coach John Fox acknowledged the QB provided a spark for the lackluster Broncos offense. NFL Network’s Michael Irvin is on his side.

“Tim Tebow will sell tickets, but we are playing football, but this is business. And these guys- if I can’t win the ball game, let me find out about this guy by putting him in, seeing just how good he is. No one’s been able to measure his heart- we talk about his arm. He’s a winner, he’s been winning so I would give him a shot.”

This could be perfect timing for Tebow. Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel points out the next Broncos game is in Miami which  just happens to be hosting “Gator Day”- honoring the 2009 College Football champion Florida Gators- a team quarterbacked by, yup, you guessed it- Tim Tebow.

“Some would call that divine intervention. Others a ridiculous and unfortunate coincidence—and why the heck are the Dolphins honoring Florida on the home field of their rival, the University of Miami, anyway? It’s just one more controversial debate for Tim Tebow to star in.”

ESPN’s Eric Allen thinks Tebow may get the start at “Gator Day” but he isn’t convinced that he should.

“There’s a lot of excitement about him, and being able to scramble, and avoid pressure, but the wins are not there, and the accuracy is not there, and I’m really not sure if he’s leading his football team, so again I still think this is a project for this football team to kind of find out if they can either win with him or use him as some trade bait or something.”



Transcript by Newsy.