Is Tim Tebow getting too much credit for the team’s six-game winning streak? He thinks so.
“I think my teammates make me look a lot better than I am,” Tebow said after Sunday’s 13-10 win over the Bears. “They really stepped up and came up with some huge plays, and I’m so proud of them. And the way [Demaryius Thomas] stepped up on that last drive. You know, just good for him. I’m very proud of those guys. I think that is a character quality of a good team. When it is clutch and you need competitive greatness, you have to step up and you have to make those plays. If you’re able to do it when it really matters, usually you can find a way. We’ve just got to get better at doing it for four quarters.”
On the one hand, it’s obviously true that Tebow has a lot of good teammates who probably aren’t getting enough credit for the Broncos’ midseason turnaround. Denver’s defense has been outstanding, which is why the Broncos were still in a position to win on Sunday even though they scored zero points in the game’s first 57 minutes. When you’re winning games by scores like 18-15, 17-10, 17-13, 16-13 and 13-10, your defense is obviously playing well.
On the other hand, there haven’t been any major defensive personnel changes since the start of the season, when the Broncos were 1-4 with Kyle Orton as the starting quarterback. Just as some people are too quick to give Tebow all the credit in Denver, others are too quick to dismiss Tebow’s contributions.
It’s been one of the most fascinating questions in recent NFL history: How do we explain the Broncos’ stunning turnaround since Tebow became their starter? Tebow says he’s not seeking the credit for the way the Broncos keep getting the job done in crunch time.
“I don’t think it’s ‘Tebow Time,’” Tebow said. “I just think it’s ‘Bronco Time,’ and the team steps up as a team.”