It’s Tim Tebow time in Denver, and if the fans can’t actually root for their team to make it to the playoffs, at least they can hope to see some more signs of life from a first-round pick at quarterback.
Tebow will be making his second straight start when the Denver Broncos host the similarly playoff-deficient Houston Texans on Sunday.
With Kyle Orton dealing with bruised ribs and the Broncos firmly in last place in the AFC West, Tebow got his first career start last week and did not embarrass himself, passing for 139 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 78 yards and a score in a 39-23 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Not even the much-hyped Tebow being on the field could help the Denver defense.
That marked the fifth straight loss for the Broncos (3-11), who have already fired coach Josh McDaniels. A sixth loss would mark the longest losing streak for Denver in 20 years.
But the Broncos could not have picked a more perfect opponent for Tebow to build on his early success, as the Texans rank last in the NFL in pass defense.
Tebow struggled in some situations last week, including converting only 2-of-12 third downs, but that should not be a problem against a Houston defense that is surrendering 275 yards per game through the air.
With Knowshon Moreno leaving last week’s game early with a rib injury, Tebow might not have his leading rusher to lean on Sunday. Moreno was the only Denver player to miss Wednesday’s practice due to injury, and Lance Ball would likely get the bulk of the carries if Moreno is unable to go.
With their team in transition at the moment, the Broncos are hoping for a strong showing to prove that Tebow was the correct pick at No. 25 last spring and is someone they can build their offense around in the future.
The Texans have their franchise quarterback in Matt Schaub and a strong passing game of their own with Andre Johnson on the other end. Of course, they still have yet to get the franchise to its first playoff game.
Losing of seven of the last eight dropped Houston out of contention, but the Texans are looking to finish strong with Denver this week and an opportunity to ruin the Jacksonville Jaguars’ playoff hopes in Week 17.
The Texans will likely work Arian Foster hard against the Broncos’ 31st-ranked rushing defense. Foster leads the NFL in rushing with 1,345 yards after playing in only six games and finishing with 257 yards in his 2009 rookie campaign.
Houston head coach Gary Kubiak could also be coaching for his job over the last two weeks. The former Denver offensive coordinator under Mike Shanahan, Kubiak has had the Texans’ offense in high gear during his five years with the team but will again fail to make the playoffs. He has just one winning season - a 9-7 campaign in 2009.