Steelers vs. Broncos: Tim Tebow Needs to Air It out vs. Banged Up Defense

Tebow Time is going to have a whole new meaning this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

When the Denver Broncos host Ben Roethlisberger and Co. at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday in the team’s first playoff game since 2006, the coaching staff has to let Tebow throw the ball.

Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy seems terrified of letting No. 15 throw the ball down the field and it has created the most stagnant offense in the league at times.

VP of Operations John Elway has told reporters this week he would like to see Tebow “pull the trigger”, but it seems as if the coaches don’t want that. Tebow understands he needs to do a better job of balancing both out:

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That's just a feel thing, I think you get more comfortable with it over time. You've got to be aggressive, but at the same time you've got to be smart. It's something for a while we did a really good job with that. Got away from it the last couple weeks, but something we'll have to be really good at on Sunday.

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Is that a subtle shot at the coaching staff?

Plenty of Tebow defenders have cited the play-calling as the major reason he is last in the league in completion percentage.

Sure, the Steelers defense is ranked No. 1 in the NFL, but they will be without safety Ryan Clark. He has a rare illness that prevents him from playing at the high altitude in Denver. This is a huge loss for the Steelers defense. Clark led the team with 100 tackles and played on a ridiculous 98.6 percent of defensive snaps this season.

Ryan Mundy, a guy with two career starts, will be replacing him.

If Tebow is able to pick on Mundy’s side of the field and avoid Troy Polamalu at all costs, he can have success. The Steelers pass rush has been below the league average this season and the Broncos offensive line has been spectacular. Tebow will have time to throw the ball in the pocket and needs to take advantage by airing it out down the field.

With Rashard Mendenhall out and Roethlisberger enduring a setback with his ankle, the Broncos have a golden opportunity to win this game…as long as Tebow is keeping the defense honest and not allowing them to hone in on the run.

Unleash the Tebow!!!!