Wesley Woodyard came up with an underrated play for the Denver Broncos (Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE)

We all remember the Denver Broncos‘ big plays from 2011.  Thrilling Tim Tebow touchdown runs, monstrous Matt Prater field goals, and deep touchdown strikes to Demaryius Thomas to recall a few.  Those plays will be running on the highlight reels of our minds as the off-season story lines turn from the Super Bowl to the draft to training camp.  Let’s take a moment, though, and look at five plays that were critical to the Broncos’ success this season even if they were supporting scenes to the drama of this incredible season.

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The Broncos celebrate another team win, this time over the Bears. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

By Jim Lyles

BRONCOS RUSH OFFENSE: 

The Broncos averaged 3.6 yards per carry, and gained 124 yards on 34 tries. Tim Tebow was the leading rusher with 49 yards from scrimmage. The Bears front seven held the Broncos rushing attack in check for the entire game.

Grade: C-

BRONCOS PASS OFFENSE:

With the ground game struggling, the Broncos offense turned to Tebow’s arm. Tebow went 21-for-40 for 221 yard, one touchdown, and one interception. Tebow didn’t have a statistically great game with a quarterback rating of a 68.3.

Tebow “Tebowed” and was perfect on an all important touchdown drive going 7-for-7 on a 63-yard drive that pulled the Broncos to within three points with barely over two minutes to play in regulation.

Demaryius Thomas caught seven passes and the Broncos sole TD on a 10-yard pass play.

The Broncos offensive line allowed 5 sacks with one of those sacks leading to a Tebow fumble.

Grade: C+
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Matt Prater drills a 59-yard field goal to tie the game. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Thoughts on the amazing win over the Chicago Bears at Mile High Stadium (In no particular order):

• Mile High Magic is back! I thought it had died years ago when the Broncos moved into the new stadium, but it turns out it was just lying dormant. What I saw yesterday was eerily similar to some of the wildest finishes in franchise history. Everyone who watched that Marion Barber fumble in overtime had to be reminded of “The Fumble” game in 1988 when the Broncos won the AFC Championship over the Cleveland Browns on an Earnest Byner fumble. The atmosphere and electricity flowing through the stadium literally jumped off the TV. I believe that there is no place in the league with a better atmosphere during games like that than Mile High Stadium, and that game was one you had to see to truly believe. When Denver failed to recover the onside kick after they scored to pull within 10-7, I let doubt enter my mind for a few moments. I should have known better. I was lamenting the fact the streak might be over just as Barber ran out of bounds while trying to kill the clock which gave the Broncos new life. I quickly snapped out of it and immediately realized that they were in fact going to win the game. I didn’t even need to watch the final drive or the 59-yard game tying field goal by Matt Prater. I knew his kick was going to be perfect before they even lined up. There is just no other way it could happen for this Denver Broncos team. That belief — the knowing that they are going to win — is exactly what Mile High Magic is all about. It’s infectious, and every fan and player on the field knows what is going to happen. This team has awakened the tradition and the spirit of the franchise, and I believe that their improbable run is just getting started.
• Once again, the Denver defense put forth an incredible effort. They held the Bears to only 12 first downs, 245 total yards, and a 2 for 15 rate on 3rd down attempts. D.J. Williams (2), Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil all registered sacks, and Williams led the team with 9 tackles and 4 tackles for loss. Wesley Woodyard made the play of the game defensively when he stripped Marion Barber in overtime and gave the ball back to a red-hot Tim Tebow. I love to see guys like Williams and Woodyard step up to dominate a game like that. If they can complement the consistent stars like Miller, Dumervil, and Champ Bailey, the sky is the limit for this group.

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