ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --When quarterback Tim Tebow threw an 18-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime Sunday that the receiver then turned into an 80-yard game-winning touchdown, records shattered.
The pass set new NFL postseason marks for longest overtime scoring play and shortest overtime period; the number of tweets directly following the play peaked at 9,420 per second, a sports record; and the Broncos advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs for the first time since the 2005 season.
But with all the attention and success, Tebow said his life hasn't changed.
"To be honest, I haven't really done too much (since Sunday)," Tebow smiled. "I've either been at my house or been here, and that's pretty much how it's been for me most of the season. But I enjoy both those places."
Tebow and the Broncos offense are preparing to face the Patriots Saturday night, as they look for redemption. The last time the two teams met less than a month ago, the Broncos had three second quarter turnovers -- two by the offense, one by special teams -- that turned a 16-7 lead into a 27-16 halftime deficit.
They know that they'll have to be much more efficient this time around, as they look to build off last game against Pittsburgh when they turned the ball over just once.
"We had three turnovers where we dropped the ball on the ground, and we felt like we gave them the upper hand," Tebow said. "But I think if we can limit turnovers, play a very sound game and execute, I think we'll have a chance."
The Broncos jumped out to that early 16-7 lead thanks to 167 yards rushing in the first quarter alone. However, playing from behind in the second half meant the Broncos had to switch things up and go to the air.
Between the rushing success against New England early and the passing success against Pittsburgh last week, the Broncos have confidence they can move the ball down the field in whatever fashion they choose.
"Anytime you can really have a great balance, I definitely think it makes it harder to defend," Tebow said. "It keeps defenses off balance and keeps them guessing a little bit. That's definitely our goal."
Tebow has taken strides in the passing game since the Broncos' last game against the Patriots in Week 15. The second-year quarterback threw for a career-high 316 yards Sunday against the league's top-ranked pass defense. Those yards came on just 10 completions, meaning that many of his passes went for big plays, something he works on in practice.
"Hopefully my first look is where my QB Coach (Adam Gase) tells me to look or else I'll get in trouble, so I try to look where he's coaching me," Tebow said. "I just try to do what I'm coached to do, and if a play breaks down, keep my eyes downfield as I'm scrambling. I try to look to make a big play, and those are even things we try to work on in practice in between drills. We will work on different things like that, so it's definitely trying to keep my eyes downfield and trying to make a big play."
Big plays throughout the entire game, especially when the Broncos are in the red zone, is one thing Tebow mentioned will be key to the team's success Sunday, along with converting on third downs.
If the Broncos can do that and keep the high-powered Patriots offense from working with a short field, they like their chances to be successful.
"I think, for us, it's just executing, holding onto the ball, not turning it over and being sound in what we do and finding a way to get some big plays," Tebow said. "If we do that, hopefully we can control the ball and keep it out of (Patriots QB Tom) Brady's hands."
