Tim TebowTime™ Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots - live!

The spotlight on Tim Tebow can not possibly get any brighter, that is, unless the Denver Broncos quarterback can engineer another unworldly performance against the New England Patriots tonight in Foxboro. Is there a cap on hype, on attention, on press coverage? Surely there must be a ceiling, but as of now, none of us can find it. Here's a pre-game breakdown on some of the possible causes of the phenomenon known as "Tebow Mania":

Tim Tebow is either not that good, or, Tim Tebow is a work in progress—the kind of player many felt would have a hard time making the adjustment out of college, coming from an offensive scheme that isn't used in the NFL. Either way, he's been the underdog since turning pro and we love rooting for the underdog, the same way we love it when fat guys do good things in sports. When Tebow won a few games, both football fans and the media were surprised. When it turned into a drama-laced streak, featuring consecutive performances that were seemingly impossible from a player of his alleged skill level, people talked, a lot.

Then of course, there is the Jesus thing.

Sports fans have been hearing athletes thank the Lord Jesus Christ after touchdowns, goals and home runs for a very long time, and no one ever seemed to care. With Tebow they care, but why? Tim Tebow, born in the Philippines to missionary parents, is a proud virgin who talks about Jesus often, not just after wins, which we are not used to as sports fans. It piles on from there. Known for scribbling the bible psalm John 3:16 on his eye black while in college at Florida, Tebow goes out last week vs. Pittsburgh and throws for 316 yards, averaging, you guessed it, 31.6 yards per completed pass. And while plenty of players exhibit their devotion on the field, Tebow's devout actions have led to the creation of a verb. Now he's at the center of an underwear campaign that doesn't seem to rhyme with any psalms or Tebowing. Depending on who you speak with, all of this is either inspirational or gag worthy, but there is no indifference in sight, and that's why the country can't seem to ingest enough Tebow. Win or lose tonight, it doesn't look like it's going away any time soon.

Since there is actually a game tonight, it's probably worth mentioning that the other team playing has a pretty good quarterback as well, and it's not often that Tom Brady gets overshadowed in the run up to a playoff game. However, that's exactly what's happened this week, and I'm sure that suits Brady and their head coach Bill Belichick just fine. The Pats come in with a chip on their shoulder, having dropped their previous two home playoff games, which is downright unpatriotic (rim shot), and most of the football world (including Vegas bookies, which have New England as 13.5 point favorites), can't imagine such a streak continuing. The Pats formula for winning is no secret, blow away their opponents on the offensive side of the ball so that their shoddy defense can't possibly leak enough points for New England to lose. The Patriots averaged nearly seven more points than any other team in the AFC, while Brady threw for over 5200 yards—wide out Wes Welker and tight end Rob Gronkowski led the conference in reception yards. That their running game is mediocre hasn't come into play, yet.

Last time out, the Broncos led 17-7 at the half before the Pats offense kicked into gear. Tonight, Tebow has another shot—does Tebow have another win in him? Or are the Broncos a stepping stone to a fourth Patriots Super Bowl victory. All shall be revealed shortly on a frigid field in Foxboro Massachusetts.

Share your thoughts via email guardianUSsportslive@gmail.com or Twitter @LengelDavid.



What are you doing over here? Get over the NO vs. SF NOW!

Then come back and see us, ya hear?



As is customary before Broncos games here at the Guardian, I'd like to invite our readers to form a circle, take a knee, and pray for just a moment...



As the most boring professional franchise going, I prayed for the Houston Texans to be eliminated tomorrow. What did you pray for?



What's an NFL pre-game without an SNL skit-OMG! Here's Tim Tebow and Daviid Bowie, who together form Tebowie!

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And we're off! The Pats have the ball to start it up.



The Patriots, out for a little Saturday evening stroll, waltz into the endzone after a handfull of well oiled plays. Ho hum, so easy. The capper is a 7-yard pass to Wes Welker, putting New England up early, and planting that seed of doubt into the minds of Broncos fans.



If you are keeping score at home, that was 80 yards in just five plays in 1:51, the key play being a 43 yard run by their tight end Aaron Hernandez, because tight ends always run the ball.



Here's Tebow, and his first play is a hand off to his running back Willis McGahee for 5-yards. The ensuing play sees Tebow go deep...to no one.



After tebow runs for a first down, McGahee runs right, through the defense for 19 yards. I guess we knew this wouldn't be a deenisve game, eh?



Tebow down! Fumble....

He's hit by Rob Ninkovich and coughs it up, Brandon Spikes recovers for the Pats. It's a turnover on the very first drive!



A huge play by Brandon Spikes, who once again shows he loves the spotlight.



The Pats TE's are tearing it up. Hernandez and "Gronk" are doing what they like against Denver. Gronkowski takes New England down the the DEN 17 with a 16-yard reception. They have been involved in five of the Pats ten plays from scrimmage, totaling 89 of their 122 yards, and we aren't even half way through the first quarter.



Gronkowski dives to the left corner of the endzone and puts it away from 10 yards out...or did he? As customary, the play is being reviewed to see if he had control of the ball.



The referee confirms the TD, despite protest from Broncos coach John Fox, and CBS commentator Phil Simms. Regardless, the Pats have turned a Tebow turnover into seven points-Golden Child and Co. are up against it early.



It's early of course, but I'm starting to wonder if things will as cordial in the Denver locker room between Tebow and Elway in around three hours time. Check out :33 in to the video.

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Demaryius Thomas took it 6 yards to the DEN 26 and then dropped the pigskin. The referee rules forward progress, so there's no fumble. Still, it's a tenuous start here for the Broncos for sure.



Tebow throws a sold pass to Thomas whose blazing through the middle, but he drops it, a big play on 3rd & 5. With a tiny margain for error, Denver can't afford many of those.



@tfaluteni tweets: "@LengelDavid I don't think I can handle both Alex Smith and Tebow winning playoff games in one night."

If early returns are any indication, you won't have to worry about it.



Or am I speaking too soon?!

There's a break the Broncos needed badly. Quinton Carter picks off Tom Brady, whose throw was well off the mark. Can Denver capitalize?

Thomas is hobbling after picking up a key first down on 3rd and 3. After losing Eric Decker to a knee injury vs. Pittsburgh last week, they are already super thin at wide receiver. Nevertheless, Denver have a new set of downs at the conclusion of the first quarter, and are at the NE 5-yard line. Big plays coming up, please stand by.



Willis McGahee pounds through the New England line, and the Broncos are right back in it! McGahee has had a tremendous season yardage wise, but hasn't broken through for many TD's-timing is everything I guess.



A little agro out there, Zane Beadles (how about that for a name) is doing some messing after the TD and got nailed for a personal foul. That pushes back the Denver kick and results in good field possession for the Pats, on the NE 40. Steve Busfield points out that you don't want to give New England good field possesion.



Injury break on the field, it's Quinton Carter being looked at. So we'll use this time for some story telling from Doug Dery, who emails:

"God is on his throne settling in to watch the game. Jesus walks in and God says "Please be seated on my right my truly beloved Son." Jesus blesses some loaves and fishes for appetizers and they settle in to watch the game. At that moment Tebow arrives unexpectedly and God says, "Tebow my annointed One, You take your place at my right, Jesus would you mind sitting on the left?" Jesus does as his Lord wishes. At that moment Tom Brady arrives, again unexpectedly, and walks up to God and says "Dude you are in my seat."



The Broncos hold Zoltan Mesko punts it down to the DEN 5.

Martin Battle emails: "I know this game is all about Tebow, but with 6.42 to go in the first quarter, you have yet to mention Brady (in the context of the game), which is odd as he has TWO touchdowns, and is 8 for 8 with 79 yards."

After a quick search I can confirm that Martin is correct! If I could only go back in Tebow Time and make it all better I would, but I can't.



Tebow on 3rd and 4 keeps it on an option but can't escape the Pats line. Denver punts it to the NE 48, and the Pats will have excellent field position for TOM BRADY, who has TWO touchdowns ALREADY...



Tons of time for Brady who after a drink and a snack hits Gronkowski for a 9-yard gain to the DEN 40. You just can't stop the Pats TE's, incredible!



Another run from Aaron Hernandez, man! This time it's for 10 yards and a first down. The Pats are in the red zone.



Big 3rd and 3 here.



Brady's first half hat-trick lands in the huge hands of Gronkowski, and the Pats take advantage of the field position to go up two TD's. Order has restored in Foxboro.



So Brady has been all that and more thus far. Amazing that he is the very same person that's in this clip...really, it's amazing.

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The highly criticized Patriot defense is doing the job in the first half-for the second consecutive drive, Denver can't get a thing going. Colquitt's punt is returned for 13 yards, by Julian Edelman, and NE will begin on their own 48 once again.



@gassheadforever (that means he is a Bristol Rovers supporter by the way) tweets "@LengelDavid The TD notiwithstanding, this could get very ugly for my Broncos - but getting this far makes it a good season, yes?."

A Broncos/Rovers fan in Khartoum must be an extremely lonely existance-good to have you aboard!



Denver held on defense and are trying to put together a scoring drive to end this half on a solid note.



Tebow sacked back-to-back! First Rob Ninkovich, then Gerard Warren put Tebow in the turf. NE call a timeout in their bid to put more points on the board.



On 3rd and 20, Lance Ball runs right for 12 yards up to the DEN 34 in their bid to run some clock and push the Pats next possession back a bit more. A decent kick puts the Patriots on thee 28, leaving them some work to do.



Deion Branch, a 61-yard TD reception from Brady, right down the right sideline! That's four TD's from Brady in the first half! Outrageous numbers being put up here in Foxboro.



Warning, there are less than two minutes left in the half, and quite possibly around 32 minutes left in Tim Tebow's season. Is this the end of the line for our hero? I mean, the way the Pats offense is flowing, it would take a...no, I just can't do it.



Tim Tebow and the Broncos will start at the 20, and need points, and confidence, right now.



On 3rd & 5 from their own 25, the Broncos call a time out. They need to keep the Pats offense off the field here.



Incomplete! Tebow was looking for Thomas. That stops the clock, and after another wind squashed punt, Brady will begin from the DEN 42 in search of a fifth, first half TD. He already has tied a NFL record for first half TD's according to CBS' Jim Nantz.

NE is on the DEN 30 when Edelman makes an 11-yard reception, heading out of bounds at the DEN 19.



A record setting TD pass to Gronkowski, Brady's fifth of the half! It's a 19-yard strike, right down the middle of Denver's "defense".



The kickoff is downed, Denver take a knee their 20-yard line, and head for the hills. They might consider not coming back after that pathetic display. At the same time, you can't take anything away from New England, who in addition to their offensive display, have been solid on defense.



A little history at the half. Once upon a time, the Patriots were one of the worst, if not the worst franchise in the NFL, losing ugly, and especially so back in 1990, when they were 1-15.

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When did it all start to go wrong for Tim Tebow? Maybe earlier this week when this gag-worthy remake of St. Elmo's Fire hit YouTube.

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Come on-who believes!?



Did the wires get crossed somewhere?

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...and we're back. Willis takes the kickoff out to the 15-yard line for Denver.



On 3rd and 8, Tebow moves to his right and throws into traffic in the direction of Royal, incomplete. Denver punts it away and a 14-yard return by Edleman means the Pats start it up at their 41.

The numbers on Tebow thus far, 3/11 for 28 yards. I guess that gun with the trigger was confiscated by airport security.



Wayne or Susan Prives, or perhaps both of them, email: "The defense. Where has the defense been all year? Is this the same defense we have been seeing all year? Thanks for the game tonite."

If they put this kind of effort against either Baltimore or Houston, I can't imagine how they wouldn't be at Indy for the Super Bowl.



Another record setting throw from Tom Brady, finding Hernandez who was blazing across the middle for the score. Jim Nantz informs us that Brady has tied Daryle Lamonica and Steve Young for the single-game TD record with his sixth on the night.



If this were a baseball game, I'd be thinking, save some runs for tomorrow.

The Pats pile on Tebow, who is maued by at least three defenders-they are relentless animals. Another punt to the NE 48 after a fair catch by Edelman.



Will the media chew up and spit out Tim Tebow after using and abusing the QB? We'll see. For these two gentlemen, Tebow Time is most definitely over.

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Brodrick Bunkley knocks the ball away from Stevan Ridley and Marcus Thomas recovers from Denver. Bunkley is hurt on the play, but is thankfully moving.



Brian Fleming emails: "If only ickle Timmy had done this in the regular season we'd have better draft picks."

Oh Brian, just be thankful with the gifts bestowed upon you.

By the way, I've spent a lot of time living in the UK, and until Brian's email, I'd never heard of the word "ickle". Steve Busfield, beside me in the Brooklyn Basement (that doesnt read quite right does it?) brought me up to speed.



Tebow sacked violently after a north, south, east, west scramble. It's the fourth time tonight, and puts them on the NE 41.



On 4th and 3, Denver converts after a run to his left and a little floater over to Royal. The Broncos are moving, and on the NE 14.



Matt Prater kicks a 41-yard FG moments after Tebow is sacked for a fifth time, leaving their frustrated QB foaming at the mouth.



Another 20-yard chunk of cheese from Brady to Gronkowski moving NE up to their 40. Nantz has a suprising stat, that this is the first time that Brady has thrown for over 300 yards in a playoff game. Can that be right?



That's the 3rd quarter in the books, another dreadful 15 minutes for the visitors, whose ride back home will be slow and low.



Brady is inside the 5-yard line looking for TD number seven! This must be his last chance as Belichick will likely remove him soon. After all, this is big time garbage time.



Stephen Gostkowski comes out and hits from 20 yards out-we'll see if that's it for Brady.



@elliotgriffiths tweets: "@LengelDavid Picked a wrong night to see this "Tebow Time" everyone's been talking about, huh?"

I'd say so, yes. It was a good show though, can't take it away from him. They're getting beaten up by a vastly superior team.



The Broncos have had issues crossing the line of scrimmage today, which is mandatory for winning football games.



My colleague Michael Solomon emails: "Steve Miss Wisconsin just won Miss America. Packers omen? Or jinx?"

That depends, how does she look?



"Big" play from Tebow to Thomas, whose catch and run down the right sideline takes the Broncos 41 yards down to the NE 3.

Tim Tebow was just chased across the field, and some 20 yards backwards before firing an incomplete pass on 4th down. That won't show up in the boxscore as anything, but damn, it was entertaining.



The Patriots leading rusher is Aaron Hernandez, the tight end. If weather comes in next weekend and takes away the passing game, it could get very interteting.

In other news, Brady is still playing, but I'm not sure why.



Tom Brady just quick kicked to the Broncos on 3rd down, Von Miller didn't take it well-his cheap shot leads to a maul on the Pats sideline. It's a 48-yard kick for the New England QB, yet another feather in his hat tonight.



Warning, there are two minutes left in the half.

Ben Greenman emails: "Why didn't they just let him throw for the record? Oh, yeah. "And on the seventh touchdown, Brady rested." Bwaaahahahaha!!!!"

There is no sentimentality in Bill Belichick's dojo.



That's it, thankfully, it is all over. The Patriots have proved themselves to be extremely dangerous, with a defense that gave Tebow zero breathing room and an offense that's on fire. Whoever gets them in the AFC Championship on Sunday will need a heck of a game plan to send these guys home early. Tebow Time has expired, for now, and we'll be following his progress in the Fall.

Before checking out, let's go over Sunday's NFL slate:

1:00 PM EST

Houston Texans

@

Baltimore Ravens

4:30 PM EST

New York Giants

@

Green Bay Packers

We'll see you tomorrow, but for now, it's goodnight from our Brooklyn basement HQ.