So when push comes to shove, a leader with actual talent triumphs over a leader with subpar talent. Brady was the grinch who stole Christmas cheer from Broncos and Tebow fans nationwide. And it showed what a competitor he is. Do you honestly think Brady wasn't pissed off over the amount of praise Tebow has been getting? The Patriots are 11-3, are the best team in the AFC, and his skill playera aren't even close to as talented as the other elite QB's in the league.
Wes Welker is 5'9". His two favorite targets are TE's - granted they're both studs. Their RB has more dreads than yards. And he knows that every time they take the field on offense, he needs to score because their defense is suspect at best.
Brady played like a man with a chip on his shoulder as he led the Patriots in to Mile High to crush the Broncos, 41-23. And Denver fans, don't look now but the Chargers are charging - haaard.
Sure, Tebow's line looked alright - 194 through the air, 93 on the ground and 2 TD's, 2 fumbles (1 lost), and only a 50% completion percentage. But it shows this team cannot get into a pissing match with an offense that can score at will. As good as their defense has looked against the likes of Chicago (without Cutler and Forte) or Minnesota (without AP), they can and will get shredded by an elite QB - Brady, Roethlisberger - or even an above-average QB like Flacco. Or what about a stud running game that the Texans have with Foster and Tate? If the Broncos go down early, it's tough for them to come back with a run-only type offense.
Sure, Tebow Time is saved until the last five minutes of the game, but if they're down it'll be a tough climb.
And if forced to stay in the pocket, Tebow struggles mightily. I was driving to Holyoke to see a show (This Is Hell) and my buddy from high school Travis, and towards the end of the game, Tebow got sacked for a 29 yard loss. 29 YARDS!! I almost swerved off the road I was in disbelief someone - anyone - could be sacked for a 29-yard loss.
Back to Brady - 320 yards, 2 TD's passing, one on the ground, 67% completion percentage - and he even managed to get Ochocinco in on the action before deciding to ignore him for the rest of the game.
Brady truly is the gold standard for QB's in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers is a stud, so is Drew Brees, but the career Brady has had speaks for itself.
Oh, and he has one hell of a spike.
So when all is said and done, sorry Broncos fans, but I think your team is going to come up short once it gets in the playoffs - if they get there.
Remaining schedule for the AFC West:
Broncos (8-6) - at Buffalo, Kansas City
Raiders (7-7) - at Kansas City, San Diego
Chargers (7-7) - at Detroit, at Oakland
Looks like the Broncos will get it. Unless the Chiefs decide to carry over their play from last weekends shocker over the Packers. Or will the freefalling Bills decide to revert back to early season form and show up for their final home, against the Broncos.
We'll see what the shakedown is.
