Tim Tebow finally took over for good to start the Denver Broncos' third quarter.

The Broncos trailed 23-10, and head coach John Fox finally gave in to the move fans have been demanding since training camp - he replaced Kyle Orton in favor of the dynamic Tebow.

The Broncos fell even further behind, 26-10, early in the fourth quarter. They ended up falling just short, losing 29-24, as Tebow brought his team back into the game.

So: Has the Tim Tebow Era started in Denver?

We weren't getting it done in the first half, Fox said in his postgame news conference. So we elected to make that change just before the half.

I think Tim Tebow sparked the team today, Fox added later. ... We'll evaluate it and make the best decision for the team.

Neither quarterback put up sparkling numbers, but if Sunday was any indication, Tebow might be the choice. Orton finished 6-of-13 for 34 yards and no touchdowns. Tebow finished 4-of-10 for 79 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown.

But what set Tebow apart was the fourth-quarter rally. First, he found running room and scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown with 6:35 left in the game. The Broncos converted a two-point try and climbed to within 26-18.

On the next drive, Tebow again worked his magic. It took three plays. He found Knowshon Moreno for a 28-yard touchdown, and suddenly it was 26-24. But the two-point conversion failed.

Tebow's run was not halted until the game clock hit zeros. The Broncos got the ball at their own 20-yard line with 24 seconds remaining - a nearly impossible situation, needing a touchdown.

Twenty yards to Brandon Lloyd - out of bounds. Thirty-one yards to Daniel Fells - spiked with one second left. Finally, a last-second pass from the San Diego 29-yard line fell incomplete.

Still, the 1-4 Broncos showed some life. And if that is any indication, that may be enough for the Tim Tebow Era to begin in Denver.

When you get opportunities, Tebow said after the game, you have to make the most of them.

National Football League