BY NICK ST. DENIS
The Broncos are a run-first (halfback or Tebow), run-second (Tebow or halfback) and pass-third (or run some more) offense, which puts a lot of pressure on players in the secondary.
"It's a little different game than I think most of the time you play in this league," Patriots coach Bill Belichick told the media Thursday regarding Denver's offense. "I think as a defensive back, you're expecting passes on every play and then when you don't get it, you don't get it. But here it's run-force, option responsibilities and then play-action or double moves and things like that."
The Broncos ran the ball on first down all but two times during regulation in their Wildcard victory over the Steelers. So when Tebow lined up behind center on the first play of the extra stanza, Pittsburgh pressed to defend the run. That's when Tebow got single coverage on his primary receiver, Demaryius Thomas, and hit Thomas across the middle for a long catch-and-run touchdown strike to end the game.
"He can throw the ball. He's still a quarterback in the NFL," Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo told reporters Thursday. "What happens is, sometimes you get lulled to sleep a little bit and then he'll hit you with a bomb. Most of those passes were big plays in the game and that's one thing you have to limit."
Tebow rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns against New England when the Patriots beat the Broncos in Week 15, so it's still Tebow's legs that will get the majority of the Patriot defense's attention.
"The secondary's primary responsibility is always pass, but in addition to that, they have a lot of run-force responsibilities in this game and option and those kind of things," Belichick said. "It definitely puts pressure on from that standpoint, that you have a lot more things to think about for a defensive back."
"There are a lot of outside runs, there are a lot options plays, there are a lot of plays the secondary force is critical on. It is, it really attacks the entire defense. They do a good job of working sideline-to-sideline and goal line-to-endzone."
"The secondary's primary responsibility is always pass, but in addition to that, they have a lot of run-force responsibilities in this game and option and those kind of things," Belichick said. "It definitely puts pressure on from that standpoint, that you have a lot more things to think about for a defensive back."
"There are a lot of outside runs, there are a lot options plays, there are a lot of plays the secondary force is critical on. It is, it really attacks the entire defense. They do a good job of working sideline-to-sideline and goal line-to-endzone."
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