Tim Tebow: Denver Broncos' QB Must Dominate Kyle Orton in Head-to-Head Matchup

Tim Tebow is constantly criticized both on and off the field, but this Sunday he has a chance show the Denver Broncos made the best possible choice by sticking with him and releasing Kyle Orton. 

A poor performance from Tebow against the Kansas City Chiefs could not only cost the Broncos a shot at the playoffs, but it will continue to raise questions as to whether or not Tebow should be the guy in Denver. 

This is why he has to crush Orton on Sunday. 

Sure, Tebow has proved the Broncos made a good decision in starting him over Orton, as Denver has reeled off a great stretch of wins and is now one victory shy of winning the AFC West. 

However, all of that will be forgotten if Tebow doesn't deliver in the final game of the year. Since he's facing the quarterback he beat out, it's even more of a reason for Tebow to have to shine bright. 

Both quarterbacks are highly motivated to win on Sunday, and for different reasons. 

Orton wants to beat the team that didn't believe in him, and Tebow wants to show he can win in high-pressure situations and give the Broncos the AFC West title.

What's more, there is some backstory to these two when they were on the same team, and it will come into play this Sunday when they do battle.  

According to Jeff Darlington of NFL.com, when Orton was a teammate of Tebow's, the QBs used to fine each other for various mishaps. 

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The Broncos' QBs have an informal system in place that allows them to fine each other for different infractions, whether funny or serious. Late for a meeting? That's a fine. Say something dumb? That's a fine, too.

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When Broncos' fans put a billboard up around the city, urging John Fox to start Tebow, Darlington's sources told him Orton fined Tebow every day the billboard was up. 

It was no longer relevant when Orton was benched for Tebow, but it goes to show Orton was truly bothered by all the Tebow love. 

You can't really blame the guy, either. None of the fans wanted him, and eventually the organization showed it didn't want him either when he was released.  

All this does is add fuel to the fire for Sunday's game. 

The Broncos didn't have to cut Orton. The main reason was because it financially helped the team, but Denver could've easily held on to Orton. A full regular offseason for new head coach John Fox would help better determine who should be the guy. 

Of course, if Tebow leads the Broncos to a division title, then a quarterback race wouldn't be needed.

That's all gone, though, since Denver did release Orton. Now he's in the same decision, and he's more than likely never wanted a win so bad in his life. It's a chance to possibly knock the Broncos out of the playoffs and the ultimate slap in the face to the Broncos. 

Orton will be ready to play—as well as Tebow—but it remains to be seen who will get the better of the two. 

Should Tebow fail, it won't bode well for his future, as the doubters will continue to talk. 

But if he manages to dominate Orton, perhaps he can then "fine" him one last time.