Tim Tebow Falls Short Against Kyle Orton—Broncos Still Make NFL Playoffs

Tim Tebow didn't exactly excel in "Tebow Time" this week versus the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, he looked pitiful. 

But that won't stop the Denver Broncos from getting to the NFL playoffs. Unfortunately for Kyle Orton, his revenge on his former team fell short. The Raiders didn't get the win that would have knocked Denver out of the AFC West's division-winner playoff spot.

After seven weeks of reasonably respectable performances at the quarterback position, Tim Tebow had his second straight dismal—as in a QB rating below 40—performance. It was really ugly—even in the fourth quarter, when they were down by only four points.

Getting the picture here? He made Kyle Orton, a journeyman starter at best, look like Tom Brady.

On the other hand, Tebow led a team that had a 1-4 record when he took over back to .500—and back into the playoffs. Even the most die-hard Tebowites wouldn't have predicted that.

And don't think for a minute that John Elway expected that either. If he had, Kyle Orton probably would have been traded outside of the division, rather than being released so that he could re-sign with whomever he chose.

That being said, Kyle Orton didn't beat the Broncos. Tim Tebow and the Broncos' offense did. No team can expect to win in the National Football League by scoring three points in a game. 

As has been the case for most of the season, the defense did their part, holding the Chiefs to seven points (and none in the final three quarters.)

The time for Tim Tebow excelling with no real pressure is over. The world will have to wait until next week to see if he has what it takes to lead his team to victory with something on the line.