Was Tim Tebow's Playoffs Win Illegal?
Although many celebrated Tim Tebow’s game-winning touchdown pass that advanced the Denver Broncos past the wild card round of the NFL playoffs, some are calling the win illegal.
The San Jose Mercury News used a pre-snap picture to point out that Tebow’s game-winning pass should have been flagged because of an illegal formation. While seven players are required to be present on a scrimmage line during the play, only six were present in a pre-snap picture featured in the publication.
According to the publication, the illegal formation should have warranted a five-yard penalty for the team. Since the flag was not thrown, Tebow was able to make a vital 80-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas for a game-winning touchdown.
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However, former head of officiating Mike Pereira told the Mercury News that he saw no real issue with the formation.
"Watch on any Sunday. This is a good formation compared to many,” Pereira said. “They are not technical with this."
Although the Mercury News has been analyzing Tebow’s passing game in his career best performance on Sunday, others are still marveling at the seemingly miraculous statistics that came about after.
Tebow, who has worn the bible verse John 3:16 on his eye black in college and tweeted the scripture during his time in the NFL, was surrounded by statistics that matched the chapter and verse numbers.
Tebow threw for 316 yards on Sunday’s game and averaged 31.6 yards per pass. According to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. He reports that 31.6 was also the number of the final quarter-hour television rating in the Broncos-Steelers game.
Tebow took to his Twitter to give thanks after his big win.
"Praise the Lord! Thanks to all my great teammates, coaches and fans," Tebow tweeted on Monday. "This win was for Bronco Nation!"
