http://youtube.com/watch?v=OGaczuyWtCU?wmode=Opaque
NEW YORK JETS (5-4) at DENVER BRONCOS (4-5)
Thursday, 8:20 P.M. ET, NFL Network, Sirius (NYJ 92, Den 93), Westwood One Radio
Why Watch
To see Tim Tebow, the man, the myth, the legend, and the best bad quarterback since the Bears’ Bobby Douglass.
Tebow has many of Douglass’ characteristics. Douglass was larger than quarterbacks of his day and he was an inept passer (career 36 TDs, 64 INTs, 43% completions). But, his ability to run teased Chicago Bears fans to believe that he would find a way to win. Foes had a hard time bringing Douglass down.
Tebow’s completion percent for the season is a Douglass-like 44.8 percent. Tebow (6’3″ 236 lbs) is close to Douglass size (6’4″ 220 lbs) and is left-handed, but the similarities end there. Tebow has a 7:1 touchdown to interception ratio and the Broncos have won three of the four games he started. Goggle-eyed Denver fans are comparing Tebow to Tom Brady rather than Douglass. Used in a sentence: What Brady-like magic will Tebow use to pull out the next win?
What To Watch
Tebow fascinates fans. The New York Jets stump them. The Jets lost control of their playoff destiny with their stunning home loss to nemesis New England Patriots Sunday night. Now, in a short week, they meet the Broncos in Denver’s thin air. Have the Jets recovered enough from the Patriots’ blowout to take on the most unconventional offense they will see?
Two weeks after he named Tebow starting quarterback, Denver coach John Fox did what few pro coaches do. He tossed his playbook out the window and developed schemes just for Tebow. Jets coach Rex Ryan might as well study Georgia Tech’s option offense to get a line on Denver’s scheme. Tebow won’t call his own number to run the ball as often as a college quarterback, but like any option QB, Tebow will run on critical downs. Despite starting only four games, Tebow is the second-leading rusher on the team.
Look for the Jets to run the Tampa-One defense, dropping a safety deep and crowding everyone else near the scrimmage line to contain rushes by RBs Lance Ball, Willis McGahee (if healthy), and Tebow. Pro teams can break down college offenses within six games. Fox and Tebow are near the end of their run mystifying opponents with this offense.
This game offers the rare chance to see elite cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Champ Bailey in the same game. LaDainian Tomlinson is out for the Jets. Knowshon Moreno is out for the Broncos. The Jets are 7-point favorites.
Who Will Win
The Jets need this win badly and hold every edge over the Broncos. Denver fans have never seen Tebow win at home. However, I have been burned enough picking against Tebow. Now, I am going with Denver.
