The Tebow train keeps on rolling with another last minute victory, the Chargers being the latest victim. Tim Tebow is no doubt one of the most polarizing figures in sports. To be honest, I really don’t know what to think of him. Part of me likes him. For one, he’s a winner and that’s all sports are really about, right? He has an unbelievably positive attitude that is clearly contagious. His work ethic is renowned. On the other hand, the logical side of me doesn’t see how he can succeed. The bad release, the inability to read defenses, the bad decision making. So I’m torn. The sports fan in me wants to see him prove everybody wrong. I’m a sucker for sappy sports movies. I want to see Tebow prove all the haters wrong. But the analytical side of me doesn’t see how long term success is even remotely possible. Part of what makes me love fantasy football so much is the balance it strikes between reason and randomness.
But rather than provide you with another Tebow article about how wonderful or awful he is, let’s take a look at the rest of his team and the fantasy implications which has been overlooked with all the Tebow-mania. The most obvious effect is the advantage to the running game. The Broncos are averaging a league high 159 rushing yards a game. Now obviously some of that comes from Tebow, who is averaging just over 50 rushing yards a game, but that still leaves over 100 for the RBs. Since Tebow took over in week 5, McGahee has three 100+ yard performances and the week he was injured against KC, Lance Ball put up a 96 yard performance. The Broncos are dedicated to the run and for good reason, which means solid fantasy performances out of whomever the starting RB in Denver.
While Tebow may only complete a handful of passes each week, he makes them count. Eric Decker started off the season hot with Orton often looking his way. Once Tebow took over many fantasy managers groaned and for good reason. But in the last 5 weeks, Decker has found the end zone 4 separate times, giving him 4 10+ fantasy performances. There may not be a lot of love for Bronco WRs but Decker is very serviceable at this point.
The most overlooked aspect of the Broncos on their winning streak has to be the defense. Von Miller was a great draft pick, and now he and Dumervill are wreaking havoc on opposing teams’ offensive lines. They have combined for 16 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Since Tebow took over the defense has scored 9 fantasy points or more in all but 2 games, compared to only eclipsing that mark once in the first 4 weeks. Going forward they have some nice matchups against Minnesota, QB-less Chicago, Buffalo, and the final week of the season they get KC (very nice if you need a D for the championship game).
-Timbo "Slice" King
tking@fantasyroids.com