QB Roethlisberger: Rape Claim 'False and Vicious'

And so did the fourth-quarter television ratings

(NEWSER) - This might just be a weird coincidence, or Tim Tebow's dramatic defeat of the Steelers last night may have been a miracle in more ways than one. The polarizing Denver quarterback wound up throwing for 316 yards, which, if you toss in a colon in the right spot, mirrors the call number of a famous bible verse, John 3:16. That's a verse Tebow occasionally wrote on his face while playing at the University of Florida, Fox News reports. More»

Broncos advance, will meet New England on Saturday

(AP) - They'll be Tebowing in Denver tonight: Tim Tebow connected with Demaryius Thomas on an electrifying 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play of overtime and the Broncos defeated the stunned Pittsburgh Steelers 29-23 in the AFC wild-card game. Thomas hauled in a high play-action pass at the Denver 38, stiff-armed Ike Taylor and then outraced Ryan Mundy to the end zone. Tebow knelt in his own end zone, pounding a fist in triumph before taking a victory lap in jubilation. More»

Sports analysts agog after Denver Broncos' latest victory

(NEWSER) - After a stunning performance in yesterday's last-minute 13-10 victory against the Chicago Bears, sports commentators are wondering if Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow really is capable of miracles.

• Declaring Tebow his "personal quarterback and savior," Jeff Neuman at RealClearSports catalogs five miracles made in last night's game. "Zero points on his team's first 11 possessions—and then three scores on their last three, aided by a coach's weird strategy, thin air, a fumble, and a total brain cramp by a veteran running back. Truly, Tim Tebow works in mysterious ways."
• Writing for the Montreal Gazette , Ed Willes also drops the M-word, wondering if "we've ever seen a run like this in the last 50 years of sports: an athlete who's at once both divisive and irresistibly charismatic; an athlete who's in the miracle business every week; an athlete who transcends everything around him."

5-year, $90-million deal give Colts salary-cap flexibility

(NEWSER) - "OFFICIAL ----WE HAVE A DEAL!!!!!!!!!" tweeted Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay in caps last night, as the Colts signed Peyton Manning to a $90 million, five-year contract, reports the Indianapolis Star . The deal likely ensures the 35-year-old quarterback will stay a Colt for the rest of his career. Although the contract ties New England's Tom Brady for the biggest in the NFL, the Colts had actually been offering Manning $100 million—but Manning offered to take less if it would help the team sign some veteran talent. "It's a credit 2 Peyton; he put Colt fans, teammates, Ind. n winning ahead of all else," tweeted Irsay later. More»

Pittsburgh dominated, then held on

(NEWSER) - The Pittsburgh Steelers advanced to their third Super Bowl in six years thanks to a big-play defense that returned a fumble for a touchdown and staged a late goal-line stand in a 24-19 victory over the New York Jets. Pittsburgh, which led 24-0 in the first half and held on, faces the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl in Dallas in two weeks. The Packers beat Chicago 21-14 earlier today. More»