Is Tim Tebow really this good?

Whether you love him or hate him, there's simply no argument: Tim Tebow wins. He did it once again Sunday night against the Chicago Bears, improving the Denver Broncos to an unlikely 8-5 record. When Tebow took the reigns as starting quarterback for the Broncos, achieving first place in the AFC West seemed like an out of reach, optimistic dream. They were 1-4 and seemingly a nonfactor while the Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers started their seasons with a bang. Now, as a result of a six game winning streak, first place has become a reality for Denver. It's unbelievable, unexplainable and flat out bizarre that somehow Tim Tebow finds a way to miraculously pull out victories week in and week out. Five straight road wins has made Tebowmania a headline in national sports. As spectators sit back and watch Tim Tebow seemingly defy everything we thought we knew about what a successful quarterback looks like, the question begs to be answered. Is he really this good?

There are two sides in the debate over Tebow: those who think he can play, and those who think he can't. Up to this point, the naysayers have had a very public, well-known argument. The skeptics have taken fault with Tim Tebow from the very beginning. After Tebow announced himself for the NFL draft, critics tore apart his unorthodox throwing motion, declaring he holds the ball too long while exposing it too much. His accuracy was pitiful and he lacked the ability to think quickly in game situations. When he was drafted as the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the two-time NCAA National Champion and Heisman Trophy winner came into the league with incredibly high disapproval. Throughout his rookie season he saw the field nine times, struggling for the most part while taking an intense amount of criticism. In those games, Tebow completed only 50 percent of his passes, threw five touchdowns and three interceptions. Many analysts stated he simply could not play the position as a professional and suggested he'd have more success as a halfback.

Tebow supporters, throughout his rookie season, looked past his sub-par numbers and saw a natural leader determined to win. They recalled his dominance in college and believed that the same willpower and fortitude that won Florida two National Championships would allow Tebow to get it done as a professional. This is what appears to be happening in 2011. Tebow has improved to an improbable 7-1 as a starter this year. Throughout the eight games he's started this season, he owns an 83.9 quarterback rating, has racked up 1,290 yards and claims 11 touchdowns. He has protected the ball well in this time span, throwing only two interceptions. The Broncos lead the NFL in rushing yards, largely in due part to the 517 yards Tebow has gained on foot this season. What's even more impressive than all of the offensive numbers, however, is the fashion in which Tebow is getting the victories; the 13-10 win at Minnesota was Denver's sixth straight win after trailing in the fourth quarter.

It is impossible to know if Tebow will be able to sustain the level of play at which he's currently performing. There are numbers and statistics on both sides of the debate that indicate either continued success or future failure, and both scenarios can be argued for. For now, however, it really doesn't matter. Whether or not Tim Tebow will be the next great quarterback in the NFL or get cut next season is not relevant at the moment. For Denver fans, Tebow supporters, and Tim Tebow himself, there is only one statistic that matters right now: the Broncos are in first place in the AFC West.