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Denver Broncos Flashback: Tebow leads comeback in Minnesota

By Tylor Walden

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 4: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos scrambles with the ball as Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings gives chase in the fourth quarter on December 4, 2011 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 35-32. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 4: Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos scrambles with the ball as Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings gives chase in the fourth quarter on December 4, 2011 at Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Broncos defeated the Vikings 35-32. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Denver Broncos will be making their first trip to Minnesota since 2011. What happened on that day? Well, let us go back in time to that date.

Denver is currently tied with Minnesota in the all time series at seven games each. In all but one meeting in 1984 (which the Broncos won 42-21), each game of this series has been decided by eight points or less.

One memorable game that comes to my mind was a comeback led by Tim Tebow. The 2011 Denver Broncos season was known as the season of miracles and dubbed the phrase “Tebow Time.”

Back on December 4th, 2011, the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings met in a key contest for the Broncos themselves. The Mile High City team entered with a 6-5 record. Minnesota was not doing so hot, entering with a 2-9 record at the time.

With Tim Tebow at the helm, the Broncos had won four games in a row and five of their last six games. In order to get win number seven, they would have to get past Christian Ponder and the Minnesota Vikings. And they were able to do that with some solid plays from the Florida Gator himself.

Tim Tebow went 10 of 15 for 202 yards and two touchdown passes. One of which was an amazing play where he scrambled to keep the play alive, stiff armed Erin Henderson, and threw the football to Demaryius Thomas who made defenders miss left and right and dragged a few into the end zone for the touchdown.

Demaryius Thomas had one of his best games as well, catching four passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Willis McGahee went over 100 yards with 111 of his own plus a touchdown. Von Miller was injured for this game and was out. But Mario Haggan, who was put in the lineup to replace Von, had a pick six that opened up the scoring for the Broncos.

Christian Ponder had a huge game, throwing for 381 yards and three touchdowns. But had two very key interceptions. One on the play I mentioned earlier with Haggan. The second one would prove to be costly as it would set Denver up in Minnesota territory for Matt Prater to kick the game winning field goal as time expired.

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Percy Harvin diced apart the Broncos defense with big plays as he recorded 175 offensive yards and two touchdowns. But Tebow Time prevailed in what was an entertaining contest. In fact, there were 45 combined points scored in the second half of that game.

This would unfortunately be the final matchup between these two teams in the Metrodome. Sunday will mark the first visit for the Denver Broncos at U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened in 2016.

What a game between the two teams the last time they faced off in Minnesota. Hopefully Sunday’s game provides some excitement, along with a Broncos win. Fingers crossed.

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