Tim Tebow’s Game-Winning TD Came From Illegal Formation

The Denver Broncos defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wildcard round of the NFL playoffs this past weekend in an overtime thriller. The game-winning toss from Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas came on the first play of the overtime period.

It was a defensive breakdown by the Steelers that allowed the touchdown to happen, however, there should have never even been a play.

The Denver Post pointed out today that the game-winning touchdown came from an illegal formation. Per Article 1 of the NFL rulebook:

"Article 1: Offensive Team. The offensive team must be in compliance with the following at the snap:(a) It must have seven or more players on its line (3-18); and(b) All players who are not on the line, other than the receiver of the snap under center, must be at leastone yard behind it.(c) No player may be out of bounds."

In the included picture, you can see that only six men were on the line of scrimmage therefor the Broncos should have been penalized five-yards and the touchdown should not have counted. Was it a blown call that won Denver the game? Absolutely, but let’s not take away from the game as a whole.

The Steelers failed to stick to their coverages time and time again and they did not capitalize when given their opportunities. The game-winning touchdown was illegal, but if Pittsburgh would have done their job it would not have mattered in the long run.