Fourth-and-6 from the Chicago 11 (7:27, 1st quarter): Julius Peppers blocked Matt Prater’s 28-yard field goal attempt, stopping the Broncos’ momentum that was building from the 15-play drive that took Denver from its own 29 all the way down to the Chicago 11.
Fourth-and-1 from the Denver 22 (8:55, 3rd quarter): Devin Hester returned Britton Colquitt’s 46-yard punt 26 yards to the Broncos 42. The Bears took advantage of that excellent field position, turning it into a 9-yard rushing touchdown by Marion Barber to take a 7-0 lead.
Third-and-27 from the Chicago 45 (0:18, 3rd quarter): Facing a third-and-long, Caleb Hanie found Barber out of the backfield for a gain of 16 to put the Bears back in field goal range. On the next play, Robbie Gould converted a 57-yard field goal to increase Chicago’s lead to 10-0.
Second-and-10 from the Denver 40 (0:30, 4th quarter): With time winding down in the fourth quarter, Tim Tebow found Matthew Willis for a 19-yard gain, pushing Denver into Chicago territory. After two incomplete passes and a Tebow scramble for no gain, Prater came on to drill a 59-yard field goal to send the game into overtime tied 10-10.
Third-and-7 from the Denver 38 (12:53, overtime): On his way to what looked to be a sure first-down run, Barber was stripped by Wesley Woodyard. Elvis Dumervil pounced on the loose ball to halt the Bears’ potential game-winning drive and give the Broncos offense the ball.
Third-and-8 from the Denver 36 (12:12, overtime): Tebow hit Demaryius Thomas just past the first-down marker to extend what would become the team’s game-winning drive. Thomas leaped in the air to bring down the pass for a 10-yard gain to put Denver in Prater’s field-goal range. Four plays later, Prater converted a 51-yard field goal. The kick marked his fourth game-winning kick of the season, and third in the past three games.
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Chicago Bears, Key Plays, Week 14
Just reread my blog just to see I added words that didn’t belong & left out words that did belong. Thats how excited I am about this Bronco win.
Thomas is Demaryius!!! ;o) you mean Royal i’m sure…
I hope he stays as the #3 if Royal doesn’t resign… I’m loving the development of the young guys… they dropped a few, but they catch them when it really matters so far!
And this is what Tebow says about Willis:
“I’m proud of Matt. He’s definitely one of the more underrated guys, and he shouldn’t be. He’s a phenomenal receiver, and he’s just so patient and so unselfish, and his approach and how plays—he blocks so hard—and then when you need him in some clutch time he’s going to step up and have huge catches. And you’ll never hear from him. He’ll never say, ‘I was open’ or ‘Throw it to me,’ but when you throw it to him he’s going to step up and make the play, and I’m so proud and so happy he’s on our team.”
Give him the darn ball more and more and more is all I can hope for.
Yeah, of course, Royal has been subpar for years now, Demaryius is still inexperienced but has the body to be great if it can hold up and Decker is starting to think that he is hot instead of being hot. Give me more Willis!
I too have been losing my voice screaming, “THROW IT TO WILLIS!!!”, along with threatening DMT with bodily harm. Decker was obviously off his game yesterday.
Huge maturation in Tebow that he paralleled scrimmage line pulling off the defense and then dropped the pass on DMT. Jets game – Tebow would have run that one for the sure 1st down. On that play he was thinking TD all the way. Wow! and the Tebow reading of all that – totally impressed.
This offense is going to be nasty to have to defend if they find a way to incorporate consistently the TE position…
I love the fact that Tebow will always have places to throw in the secondary with this Denver Run Attack!!!
And the three Bears defenders biting onto Tebow to leave DT open was even better, LOL.
Tebow to DMT is Going to be a DEADLY combination!!!
That’s why we call it the TNT, dynomite!
rbf1′s invention by the way.
If Tebow is not a threat – no bite. Huge that Tebow still believing in his guys after all the drops.
He’s got no choice, haha.
I have a committee meeting tonight – would you guys kick me outta here – I got things to do. LOL
I love the fact that DMT is staying healthy. I never thought he would.
daddybronc, remember, meetings are places where minutes are kept and hours are lost! Good Luck.
Knock on wood and get out of here, LOL, just obliging you.
I’m all for Willis taking another shot at Royal if that’s what it takes. Not funny but he’s got to be #1 receiver on some plays.
Thanks Bay – I’m out.
No, thanks to you, I got a solid Matthew Willis backer now, not many of those in the organization.
Our Offensive line was tough in this game in keeping pressure off of TT in most of the passing moments. The time that Tebow had last night to decide where to throw the ball was impressive against the Bears D Line push and talent.
Ok – so I’m addicted to Bronco talk. Just printed last months minutes and our agenda and had to check back LOL
I started the year thinking that this could be the come back year for Royal. But then – he was dropping everything. So I got off his fan page. Then comes the Raider game. So I think Royal is going to pull it together. Then injuries then more drops. I’m done – send him down the river. Good thing I’m not the coach! LOL
Other than Rookie mental errors Willis has done nothing but step up. His speed on ST is incredible. Man – I want to see that guy get in the open field and watch him run away from coverage. WILLIS!!!
Who would you rather play in Rd 1 of the playoffs? Pitt, BAL or NYJ? All three are real possibilities… NYJ would take some losing from a couple other teams, but they are the 6th seed today…
Playoffs? YEP… Playoffs… no reason not to talk about the competition… We all know this week is a tough game, and the team must be focused for Sunday, but we as fans have the luxury to look ahead and not have it affect our performance…
DB.. Willis is not a Rookie… at least I don’t think so
LW7 – U right! Clady’s injury didn’t show at all. I was impressed.
4th year out of UCLA… he is showing us what he has/is… a solid number 3 type of reciever that deserves a spot on the roster
Maybe we’ll go to the Spread in the hurry up Offense and Tebow to Willis will burn the Patriots for the game winner Bay.
I too like Willis. I told my wife last year he should see more action and then he got hurt. I know you’ve mentioned him a lot, and I think it was your information that got me paying attention to him back then.
It’s good that Tebow has noticed and can put the ball in his hands during game time if he’s on the field.
None of the above, give me the Raiders again, LOL.
haha… good answer Bay!!!
U R right – he’s not really a rookie – rookie year 2007 I think – but he has never played a full season.
Willis has been with us since 2008 and in the first two weeks of practice that year I could tell right then he was real special and have been his most ardent supporter here and it’s why I call him my boy Willis, like it’s my job to make him known.
And if I’m not mistaken, Willis is a Hold-over from Shannahan… But maybe I’m dreaming… No… I’m sure of it… Willis was here in when Shanny was…
I think Willis’s feet move faster than his brain. That’s why he makes mental errors. LOL
Those practices were in the Spring of 2009, we acquired him in December 2008.
He’s small is why he isn’t featured more… hasn’t learned to avoid contact like Welker… Listed at 190, but takes shots like he’s 180…
Got to love his effort!
Yeah, Shanny first brought him in, one of the very last thing he did for us in fact.
Willis is another good character guy with complete upside. He’s been patient for the opportunity and worked as hard as any of our receivers, especially the unselfish part and playing his blocking, etc. role.
6ft 190, stout enough and blocks great, does most everything right, just listen to Tebow, posted above.
I know Willis outruns the fast guys on ST – anybody know his stats? Is he like world class speed?
He is sub 4.3, second fastest on the team after Vaughn I believe.
I want PIT in the 1st game. If we can take PIT – I can see our way clear through the AFC Championship game. The rest of the opponents leave me hopeful but not confident. I’m betting JETS would sure like another shot at Tebow. Hahaha – LOL
Track star at UCLA.
He’s perfect size/speed for a slot/#3 reciever… He has the skill set and the try…
Do you know if he’s under contract next year?
I honestly think the Jets miss the playoffs.
Good day to one and all in Broncos Country!!
What a thriller of a game last night!! It was a pretty cool evening as far as the weather goes. What can be said that hasn’t already been covered.
bay, I read your post from earlier today breaking down the game! Good point about DJ – a man playing with fire and passion. Tough to see Marcus Thomas go out – hope he’ll be ok.
Demaryius dropped that ball by our end of the field. From our angle, looked like the ball was slightly overthrown. Haven’t seen the re-play yet from what I gather on here, sounds like it may have gone thru his hands. Glad he caught the other one in front of the southstands…(raidrhater…. lol)!!
Cannot count these guys out if the score is close!!!
Let’s see if we can get TNT going next week against the 32nd ranked pass defense!!
Congratulations to Matt “Livin on a Prater” !!!!!! (CLUTCH)!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
I like Willis better for the long ball – put Deck in the slot. He catches better when he is getting smashed. LOL
He is only on a one year contract making $480,000.
Yes DB… you know they would!!! I think Pitt here is the best matchup for Denver… I hope Houston wins out and takes the 1 seed… I think that Tebow can go into Houston and beat them, I know they have a tough D, but they have a real young QB and Von will make life hard for him… I’d rather go there than to BAL… I think BAL is a tougher out than HOU… So ideally NE would be BAL and we would go into NE and beat the Pats for a second time… That’s my ideal situation!!! ;o) but Timmy will lead us well wherever we have to play….
rbf1, I’m the first one to laud the effort when it is warranteed.
Give DMT the jump balls, short and long. DMT hasn’t been too good with the over the shoulder stuff.
So, it’s a football meeting? LOL.