Steelers vs. Broncos: Tebow Time Was a Fad, Playoffs Are for Legit Contenders

John Fox is a liar.

Transforming the Denver Broncos offense around Tim Tebow helped the orange and blue win the AFC West divisional crown, but they’re not even in the race for the ultimate trophy: the Lombardi.  Denver may have been able to pull off seven wins with their unconventional run-heavy offense, but in the playoffs, against true contenders, Tebow and company will be stopped in their tracks.

Super Bowls aren’t won on gimmicks.

In 2008, the Miami Dolphins implemented the most successful gimmick of the past decade into their offense: the wildcat.  After finishing 1-15 the season before, Miami shocked defenses week after week by sticking Ronnie Brown in shotgun.  It worked like a charm, as the Dolphins went 11-5 in the regular season winning the AFC East.

The playoffs were a different story, though.  As a No. 3 seed, they were upset 27-9 by the Baltimore Ravens, who only allowed 52 Dolphins rushing yards.  The wildcat offense won Tony Sparano’s crew plenty of games during the regular season, but up against an elite defense with weeks of film on the package, the gimmick ended up being useless.

Denver’s offense is a lie; they may have been able to go 7-4 in the regular season, but the postseason is an entirely different football game.  Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, LaMarr Woodley, Casey Hampton, James Farrior—these defenders don’t just have Super Bowl rings on their fingers, they’re Pro Bowlers. 

Pittsburgh has the No.1-ranked defense in yards and points allowed this season.  Every point the Broncos score will be a surprise.

Baltimore held the Dolphins out of the end zone in that ’08 Wild Card contest, and Chad Pennington was a pinpoint passer.  Tebow isn’t a pinpoint passer to say the least, and the Broncos lie will be exposed on Sunday.

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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