Defense dominates as Broncos slip past Jets

Published 1:59 am Friday, November 18, 2011

DENVER (AP) — Tim Tebow’s 20-yard touchdown run with 58 seconds left capped a 95-yard drive and sent the Denver Broncos to a 17-13 victory over the stunned New York Jets on Thursday night.

Tebow saw the blitz and outflanked safety Eric Smith around the left edge, then cut back and bulled his way past other Jets into the end zone.

“We have a resilient team,” Tebow said.

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And a resilient, if unorthodox quarterback.

The Broncos (5-5) are 4-1 since Tebow replaced Kyle Orton.

Tebow said during the week that the most exciting thing he did during the week wasn’t preparing for Rex Ryan’s dominant defense but announcing his foundation was building a children’s hospital in the Philippines.

The Jets (5-5) lost their second heartbreaker in four days. Mark Sanchez’s desperation pass toward the end zone was batted down as time expired.

Nick Folk’s 45-yard field goal broke a 10-10 tie with 9:14 remaining, and the Broncos found themselves facing a daunting task when they got the ball back with 5:54 left at their own 5.

New York safety Jim Leonhard could have throttled Denver’s winning drive on the first play when he wrapped up Eddie Royal in the end zone on a throw to the right flat, but Royal wiggled free for 8 yards.