National Football League

Tebow's play lifts Broncos past Texans, 24-23

Published Dec. 27, 2010 4:08 p.m. ET

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Tim Tebow has heard all about how he can't be a prototypical pro passer with his windup motion and his clunky mechanics.

And while he may need polish on his delivery and still has plenty of detractors, his awkward style didn't matter as much as his gumption Sunday.

Borrowing from the formula that made him a star at Florida - chuck it and when that won't work, tuck it - Tebow rallied the Denver Broncos for a 24-23 victory over the Houston Texans.

''I love his will to win. As long as he has that, we've got a chance. Everything else we can work on,'' receiver Jabar Gaffney said.

Playing with more passion than precision, Tebow scrambled 6 yards for the winning score with 3 minutes left, recalling his college career where he was as much of a runner as a passer.

''He can keep plays going,'' receiver Eddie Royal said. ''When things don't work (with) the first option, the second option, his third and fourth options are his feet.''

Tebow's ability to take off and run not only galvanized his teammates but energized a crowd that was booing the conservative play calling of the first half, which ended with the Broncos trailing 17-0.

The restrictive game plan out the window in the second half, Tebow finished with 308 yards passing, the third-most by a rookie in team history. John Elway has the top mark when he threw for 345 yards during a win over Baltimore in 1983.

''We kept fighting, we kept believing and I think we were just more aggressive and we just went after it,'' said Tebow, who added 27 yards rushing. ''We had nothing to lose and we were just going to go out and play until the last second.''

By winning, though, the Broncos (4-11) took themselves out of contention for the No. 1 draft pick in April. That distinction belongs to Carolina after Denver and Cincinnati both won Sunday.

The Broncos can wind up with the second overall pick if they lose next weekend against San Diego.

Not that they were thinking in those terms. Nothing could dampen their mood.

In addition to Tebow's first win as a pro, this also marked the inaugural victory for interim coach Eric Studesville, who was promoted from running backs coach when Josh McDaniels was fired Dec. 6.

Like Tebow, this has been an audition for him as well.

''It's an unbelievable feeling right now,'' said Studesville, who walked out of the locker room carrying a game ball given to him by team owner Pat Bowlen. ''But I'm happy for the men in the locker room. Those guys deserve this victory.''

It took a tipped pass with the Texans (5-10) driving to secure the win.

Matt Schaub had the team on the march for the go-ahead score when Justin Bannan got a piece of his pass that was headed for a wide-open Owen Daniels. The ball fluttered into the arms of rookie cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson at the Broncos 27 with just over a minute remaining.

Schaub had the coverage he wanted too, with the Broncos blitzing.

''If I can get it in his hands, he might score on that play,'' Schaub said.

Instead, it was another close loss. For the sixth time in the last two months, the Texans lost after being tied or holding the lead in the fourth quarter.

''It's tough to find the words for it now,'' Schaub said.

The Broncos certainly weren't at a loss describing Tebow's performance.

''I think, all things considered, he had a great day and you've got to look at it that way,'' said chief operating officer Joe Ellis, who congratulated players in the locker room after the team's first win since Nov. 14. ''It's a great start and he'll learn more as he goes along. It's just an exciting day overall for him and everybody in the stands. It changes the feeling a little bit for people.''

Tebow's first home start drew such an ovation that he had to motion for the crowd to settle down as he sauntered onto the field for his first series. He had the team on the drive, but threw an errant pass to Brandon Lloyd in the end zone and was intercepted by cornerback Jason Allen.

''I did not need to force it,'' Tebow lamented after the game.

For a second straight game, the team elected to keep things safe with Tebow under center, preferring a steady diet of screens instead of shots down the field.

Tebow and the Broncos were booed off the field at halftime over that strategy.

In the second half, the play calling opened up, more passes over the middle and deep routes.

''Didn't have nothing to lose,'' Gaffney explained. ''No reason to be uptight - just go out there and play.''

And that's what the Broncos did. Behind the left arm of Tebow - and his legs - the Broncos rallied late for the win.

''He definitely brings a lot of emotion to every play,'' Lloyd said. ''He really gives us added incentive to do great things for him, because we know he's willing to do anything humanly possibly to make the most of out every play.''

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