Broncos Thoughts of the Week:
Fans all over the stadium were point to the sky. The man and woman next to me gasped. I heard others saying it was a sign.
I said to my dad, jokingly, "This proves God is a Bronco's fan," referencing the infamous bumper stickers.
For about a minute, a halo of smoke hung over the stadium.
I believed the Broncos were going to go on to win their first playoff game since 2006.
But as with any miracle, Denver would not accomplish a great feat with out first facing adversity.
In the second half, Denver would only score one field goal and Pittsburgh would tie the game at 23 after a costly fumble by Willis McGahee that allowed the Steelers to score the equalizing touchdown.
Denver would then have to face a furious Steeler's offense as they tried to get into field goal position in the final seconds. It was a scene Bronco's fans were used to seeing their own team doing. Driving down-field in the waning seconds of the game. But the defense held, and pushed Rothelisburger back to his own side of the field. These Broncos would not be beaten on a hail mary, and on to overtime we went.
It is fitting that this Broncos team, who had won 3 overtime games this season, would play the first game in NFL history under the new overtime rules that allow each team to get a possession unless the first team scores a touchdown on the initial drive. Denver won the coin flip and got the ball.
The man in front of me stood up, and pointed to his watch. Today, overtime, would be known as 'Tebow Time' he announced to our section. Steelers fans threw taunts at him. The little boy in the Steelers hat behind me yelled at him 'Tebow can suck it!"
All day the Steelers had been stacking the box against Denver's run. "There's no way we can run against this defense. They have all 11 guys within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage," a friend texted me earlier in the game. And sure enough to start overtime, Pittsburgh brought nearly all their defenders to the line. And Mike McCoy, Denver's offensive coordinator called the perfect play.
Denver had run on all but one first down play during the game, and Pittsburgh assumed they would do it again. The ball was snapped, all defenders but one ran to the line of scrimmage. Tebow faked the hand off perfectly to McGahee and threw a beautiful ball 20 yards down-field to Thomas who had one man to beat and then a sea of green grass that Broncos love so much in front of him.
Thomas stiff armed the defender, broke free, and ran 80 yards into the endzone.
11 seconds into overtime and Denver had won a playoff game the entire nation had predicted them to lose.
"The crowd has lost their minds" screamed Dave Logan, as the Denver radio announcers laughed in disbelief.
Mile High shook in celebration, just like the old days. That old Mile High Magic was back, and showed that no matter what, Denver will always be a football town. And just like it should be, there was The Duke of Denver himself, John Elway running onto the field, fist pumping for joy just like when he used to lead these come-back wins.
This was one of the best games of football ever played in Denver.
The Mile High Miracle, led by the Mile High Messiah, Tim Tebow.
Beer of the Week:
For celebrating the Bronco's win, Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale is my new favorite! It's a fresh hopped beer that is very hoppy and bitter. A pleasant surprise compared to other holiday ales that are usually very malty.
Game Winning Replay of the Week:
Here is the Conan O'Brien version of how Denver beat Pittsburgh.
Here is the real TV Replay.
And here is the 850 KOA Radio Call.
Tebow Video of the Week:
I know it's old, but it fits this week.
Rapids Thoughts of the Week:
Big news coming out of DSG Park this week! Rapid's have hired a new coach, Oscar Pareja, a former MLS Best XI. Pareja has been on the coaching staff with FC Dallas, and the job in Colorado will be his first head coaching position.
The Rapids have also announced their schedule for 2012, with the home opener on Saturday March 10th against the Columbus Crew. The Rapids will also play RSL once at home and twice in Salt Lake for the Rocky Mountain Cup. The Portland Timbers will come to Colorado twice, and Montreal, the expansion team, will also visit DSG Park.
Avalanche Thoughts of the Week:
The Avs are on a two game losing skid, but have won seven out of their last ten. They also possess winning records both at home and away.
The Avalanche have been a very streaky team this season, winning many in a row and losing many in a row. Let's hope that the current 2 game losing streak doesn't last much longer.
The Avs will play the second half of a home-home series against the Predators in Nashville this Thursday. This game will be important for Colorado to keep pace with a team slightly ahead of them in the standings.
Center, Ryan O'Rielly, had the Avalanche's lone goal against Nashville in Denver and is continuing his streak of leading the Avalanche in points.
Nuggets Thoughts of the Week:
After losing their first home game of the season to New Orleans, the Nuggets came back and beat the Nets in Denver 123-115. Denver is proving to have depth on it's roster in this abreviated season, but is still looking to find a good groove.
The Nuggets will face a big challenge as Miami comes to town this week, and the Nuggets will hope to hand them their second loss of the season.
Cheerleader of the Week:
Maxim posted a great photo-shoot of the Broncos Cheerleaders a few years back and it's worth looking at again.
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