NFL Playoff Predictions: Forget Tebow, Let's Hear It for Breesus Christ

The hysteria over Tim Tebow has taken a backseat in the public eye the past few weeks and maybe that’s because his team isn’t winning, but I think it’s safe to say that it’s for the better.

I mean, it’s kept me sane and it has allowed for another quarterback to take center stage in historic fashion.

Seemingly hidden behind the spotlight of Aaron Rodgers and Tebow-Mania lies the New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees. And all Mr. Brees has done the past few weeks is rewrite the record books.

In the past two weeks, Drew Brees has set the single-season records for passing yards, completion percentage (71.2) and completions in a season (468).

One thing that Tebow has been able to do, however, is lead his team to the playoffs and that should be commended for it’s worth.

Before we take a look at both quarterback's upcoming playoff matchups, let’s take a second and raise our glasses to the guy that accomplished what I said God couldn’t even do—throw for 5,476 yards.

Drew Breesus Christ—this one’s for you.

Denver Broncos versus Pittsburgh Steelers

In the 3:30 p.m. slot on Sunday, the Denver Broncos host the defending AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

This matchup is the epitome of playoff football and has some intriguing storylines that make up this game.

First, how injured is Ben Roethlisberger and will it hinder his play?

Back in Week 14 Big Ben took a vicious high-low hit that severely sprained his ankle and he hasn’t quite been the same since.

He sat in Week 16 against the Rams but gutted it out in Week 17 in order to get him into playoff shape.

Unfortunately for Ben and the Steelers, they are going against a Broncos defense that is very good at getting after the quarterback, sacking opponents 41 times on the season.

Another intriguing storyline is Denver’s top-ranked rushing offense against the Steelers run defense.

As we know, the Broncos’ ability to run the football is one of the main reasons they’ve seen the success they have, so how will they fare against a defense like Pittsburgh’s?

On the season, the Broncos are averaging 164.5 yards per game on the ground and their dynamic rushing attack has made it difficult for defenses to prepare for.

However, if there is a defense out there that can completely shut down the Broncos running game, it’s the Steelers, who give up 99.8 yards per game (eighth in the league) and have only surrendered seven touchdowns on the ground.

If the Broncos can’t run the ball, this game will be over fast and it won’t even matter who plays quarterback for the Steelers.

Tebow gets flattened and soon becomes a drifting afterthought in NFL lore.

Prediction: Pittsburgh 16 Denver 6

New Orleans versus Detroit

This NFC Wild Card matchup is a rematch of a Week 13 game that saw Drew Brees and the Saints defeat the Lions 31-17.

Both these offenses are high octane and both defenses are prone to giving up major yardage so I’m willing to bet the mortgage that this one hits the over.

Both Matthew Stafford and Drew Brees reached the 5,000-yard mark this season and will look to add to their phenomenal seasons.

Detroit is a young and fiery football team. They’re talented yet undisciplined and the way they control their defensive line against the Saints will be the key.

The Lions defensive line of Ndamukong Suh, Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch loves to get after the quarterback and are undoubtedly the leaders of the defense, but the Saints have the ultimate counter for them.

Darren Sproles. The NFL leader in total yards can run the ball efficiently when he needs to but is absolutely lethal in the screen game and that’s how I think he’ll be used against this Detroit defense.

In Week 17 against the Packers, the Lions got torched for 480 yards against backup quarterback Matt Flynn, including an 80-yard screen pass to Ryan Grant.

You know the Saints watched that and will devise a game plan to get Darren Sproles into open space all they can against the Lions.

New Orleans seems like overwhelming favorites in this game and they’re coming into the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak, but we shouldn’t overlook the Lions.

There’s an old adage that says it’s tough to beat a good team twice, and that’s one thing the Lions have going for them. Let’s be honest, the last meeting was a lot closer than the two touchdown difference on the scoreboard.

Matthew Stafford threw for 408 yards with a splint on and Calvin Johnson didn’t even break 70 yards or score a touchdown.

I like this game to be a lot closer on the scoreboard than the first time they played, but the Saints have Drew Brees and his swagger and statistics are enough for me.

Prediction: New Orleans 41 Detroit 35