The Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Monday he'd defend Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow the same way if given another chance, even after Denver burned the defending AFC champions for an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime in a stunning 29-23 victory.
"Obviously they made some nice plays on us, and in hindsight, you would analyze it, but your options are limited in terms of how you attack them," Tomlin said.
The Steelers crowded the line of scrimmage and dared Tebow to beat the NFL's top-ranked defense with his sometimes erratic left arm. Tebow obliged by throwing for 316 yards and two long touchdowns, including the dart that Demaryius Thomas turned into the quickest overtime score in NFL playoff history.
"They made a nice football play," Tomlin said.
The first playoff game in which the NFL's revised overtime rules came into effect was designed to provide the Steelers with at least one shot in the extra session -- but only if the Broncos kicked a field goal after winning the coin toss and getting the ball. It never happened after Thomas slipped past Ike Taylor, then outraced the cornerback and backup safety Ryan Mundy to the end zone.
On NFL Network
"NFL Replay" will re-air the
Broncos' 29-23 OT win over the
Steelers on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
Tomlin didn't have any problems with the defensive play call, an inverted zone that called for Mundy and fellow safety Troy Polamalu to crowd the line of scrimmage to stop the run.
Notes:Steelers LT Max Starks and NT Casey Hampton both sustained anterior cruciate ligament injuries that could require surgery. ... DE Brett Keisel suffered a "significant" groin injury, and LB LaMarr Woodley's strained right hamstring remains balky. ... The Steelers started seven players in their 30s on defense Sunday. ... WR Hines Ward will turn 36 during the offseason and shot down speculation he might retire.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
