Tim Tebow: Troubled Offseason Awaits If Broncos Fail to Reach Playoffs

Tim Tebow must lead the Denver Broncos to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday or Denver will face months of offseason scrutiny.

Denver can clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Chiefs in Week 17. However, they'll have to do so by beating former quarterback Kyle Orton, who was wearing a Broncos uniform just six weeks ago.

After benching Orton in favor of Tebow in October, Denver's front office made the respectable move and released Orton. Orton wanted a starting job and the Broncos couldn't afford to have tension boiling in the locker room, so the decision made sense.

Now, it doesn't look like such a great idea.

"We knew we may have to face him down the line and we kind of took that risk," Denver vice president John Elway said.

While I respect Elway and the Broncos front office for doing the "right" thing, their decision is about to bite them in ass.

It looked like Denver was headed for a dream season, but they're now one game away from the most nightmarish ending possible.

The Tebow honeymoon has soured quickly, as the young quarterback has gone all Joey Harrington the past two weeks. After protecting the ball beautifully in his first eight starts, Tebow has committed five turnovers in his last two games.

The Broncos defense has also gone south. They've given up 40 and 41 points the last two weeks.

I doubt Orton will shred them that badly, but the thought of a blood-thirsty former quarterback seeking revenge isn't exactly encouraging for Denver.

Either way, it's not like the Chiefs have been juggernauts this season. I'm still expecting Tebow to get his act together and lead the Broncos to victory.

If he doesn't, it will be a long offseason in Mile High country.