NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Which Game Has Biggest Potential to Be a Snoozer?

While Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos have certainly produced a ton of excitement this season, they almost suffered a monumental collapse down the stretch. Their three straight losses to end the season left them with an 8-8 record, and they only won the AFC West because the Oakland Raiders failed to beat the San Diego Chargers in Week 17.

In the Wild Card round this Sunday the Broncos will host the 12-4 Pittsburgh Steelers, who might be one of the top five teams in the league. With the way the Broncos and quarterback Tim Tebow have been playing, this game could get ugly very quickly.

During the Broncos current three-game losing streak, Tebow has completed just 30 of 73 passes (41.1 percent) for 439 yards, with one touchdown, four interceptions and five fumbles (three lost).

Clearly the second-year quarterback has been struggling, and this weekend the Steelers bring the NFL's top-ranked defense to town. Pittsburgh allowed just 278.1 yards per game during the regular season, and the Steelers possess a disciplined, veteran defense that should give the Broncos fits. 

Meanwhile, the Steelers will be without running back Rashard Mendenhall, who was placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL during the first quarter of the team's 13-9 win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 17. That's a tough blow to take, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has led the Steelers to three AFC championships and two Super Bowl titles and shouldn't be rattled by missing his top back.

While Big Ben is still dealing with the lingering effects of an ankle injury, I don't think it will hold him back. He has always elevated his game in the postseason and I expect Sunday to be no different.

Thanks to their stout defense, playoff experience and Tebow's inability to throw the ball consistently, Pittsburgh should cruise to a road win on Sunday.