NFL: It’s Tebow Thursday as Jets Take on Broncos

How will the Jets defend Tim Tebow and the new-look Denver offense tonight? With consummate ease, at least that’s what Al Dannity thinks.

No really, you are not a long term option
Since when did we start grading quarterbacks like they were pitchers? All of Tim Tebow’s defenders are citing his 3-1 record as a starter for Denver this season. There are two problems with this ground-breaking analysis. Firstly, if we’re going to go that way then Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton don’t get enough credit. After all, Orton managed a 10-5 record at the helm of the Bears in 2005 and Grossman went 13-3 in 2006. Now last I checked these guys were both awful quarterbacks, one of whom lost and regained his job in a battle with John Beck. The other was replaced by Tim Tebow.

Now don’t get me wrong. I think Tim Tebow is a victim of bad luck and horrible timing. The bad luck is that he was drafted in the first round when a third or fourth round pick would have defused the hype somewhat and allowed him to grow into a more natural role as a situational quarterback like Brad Smith. The horrible timing is his throwing motion, resulting in him completing only 44.8 percent of his passes this season for an average of 5.8 yards per attempt. He’s been sacked 14 times as well, including 7 times by the Lions. Don’t try selling me on his threat in the running game either, he’s nowhere near the best running quarterback in the league. Tebow is averaging 6.7 yards per carry which is far behind Michael Vick’s gaudy average of 8.2 yards per carry. Needless to say, Vick’s passing stats are far superior as well.

An elite defense will shut down Denver
Getting the Jets the week after they lose to the Patriots is both bad luck and horrible timing. Rex Ryan’s defense is one of the most talented in the league and will be fired up tonight. The three teams the Broncos have beaten in their last four games have horrendous Ds. The one time the Tebow-led Broncos faced a top class defense, the Lions, ended in a rout. While New York’s finest lack Detroit’s offensive might, they more than make up for it with a mean defensive unit. The gimmicky run-based offense Denver used last week against the Chiefs will do little to help them tonight. There may well be a few more wrinkles to add but the cat is out of the bag. Rex Ryan will be able to shut down the Veer.

The verdict
For once this section’s name seems well and truly redundant. The question isn’t whether the Jets will win but whether they can cover. The Broncos are truly devoid of talent bar Von Miller but that should be enough to slow New York’s progress tonight. I like the under of -40.0 points but the Jets should score most of them and cover with some ease.