Glad I followed the rule: Weird [poop] happens in Denver in the playoffs.

Early in the game the announcers were talking about Coach Tomlin's decision to play Big Ben the last couple of weeks because a division title and a bye were still possible. They said Tomlin told them you have to play to your hopes - not to your fears.

So at the end of regulation with just a few seconds left, Tomlin decides against a 66 or 67 yard field goal attempt to win the game.
Presumably, the very real possibility of hitting one that long in Denver, was overshadowed by the potential of having the kick blocked for a touchdown the other way. It would have to be a touchdown - there was no time for another play.

So Coach Tomlin played to his fears instead of his hopes and the Steelers lost on the next offensive play from scrimmage - the first play of overtime.

Why not take a chance on winning the game?

"Why not take a chance on winning the game?"

Because he thought he could win in overtime. The odds of hitting a record FG, even in Denver, versus something getting screwed up were probably not great.

My bigger issue with Tomlin is the defensive backfield was lousy and they still kept blitzing and couldn't ever quite catch Tebow even after 3 quarters. Then again, Pitt looked pretty old last night.

I'm with Bill McD. Why not try to win the game? I don't get it. Why give a weird, flukey team like Denver the opportunity to go to OT, where ANYTHING can happen?

Not to mention the clock management was pretty crappy on that last drive as well.

Frustrating to say the least. And man, Ike Taylor got absolutely ATE UP yesterday.

I thought that last Tebow pass put an interesting end to the chatter from the newspaper sports guys and the TV talking heads on the "...Tebow only runs around like a bad imitation Vick, but he can't pass...".

The real NFL legend of Tim Tebow began this weekend. Some of those wins during the regular season were extremely dull until the last few minutes, but yesterday? Yesterday Tim Tebow entertained America and won. He - and his teammates - put the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the playoffs? That's a real accomplishment.

I just read an article that said the Broncos' practices are broken up by the sound of a horn, then the players stroll to the next phase. All week - to show extra focus - Tim Tebow has been sprinting from one area to the next when the horn sounded.

I think he shows that component of leadership that the poll-driven types never get: He's not afraid to be different. He wasn't worried about players who would laugh at this rah-rah display.
He's genuine and the team clearly responded well to it.

"He's genuine and the team clearly responded well to it."

That I'll agree on. You look at politicians and they can't wait to get in line with the party instead of saying what they think before/after getting elected (I'll overlook Earl.)

The one thing about Tebow I'll give him credit for is I don't know if its religion or his personality, but he had 3 crappy games in a row and then walked in like nothing happened and lit the place up (at least for Tebow.)