Steelers vs. Broncos: Tim Tebow's Rushing Threat Will Be Pittsburgh's Downfall

Although the Denver Broncos' mid-season winning streak has become a distant memory, Tim Tebow and company still enter the 2012 NFL Playoffs with the league's most productive rushing attack, averaging more than 160 yards per game.

It is that threat which will ultimately result in the downfall of the 12-win Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night at Mile High.

Pittsburgh it seems is always a dominant defense year in and year out, but this season its rush defense has taken a hit. The Steelers rank first in the league against the pass, but just eighth against the run, giving up on average roughly 100 yards per game on the ground.

Denver's John Fox surely understands that, as well as his team's strengths and weaknesses, so expect to see plenty of run options for Broncos' quarterback Tim Tebow on Sunday.

Over the past three games for Denver (all losses), Tebow's rushing attempts have decreased steadily, from 12 carries against the New England Patriots in Week 15 to just six rushes against the Kansas City Chiefs last weekend in the regular season finale.

However, in the first two of those three losses, Tebow scored three of his six rushing touchdowns on the season. He found the end zone early against both the Patriots and Bills, scoring on a 9-yard scamper against New England in the first quarter to help get Denver on the board and encourage an early 16-7 lead. 

The first score on the road at Buffalo in Week 16 again came from the legs of Tebow, which is Denver's greatest weapon going forward. Mainly because the threat of pass isn't nearly as potent with Tebow. He's only a second-year player with less than one full season under his belt.

Fox and the Broncos' coaching staff aren't dumb, they know exactly what the Steelers' D feasts on, often times young quarterbacks and arrant throws. 

Tebow's latest turnovers have been the result of pocket pressure and his inexperience as a limited passer. There's no way Fox will ask his quarterback to be a pocket assassin now against the NFL's best pass defense. Not a chance. 

Tebow's rushing threat is what separated him from Kyle Orton, and was the dynamic ability that became the ultimate downfall of seven other teams in just eight games.

Denver's ground attack, led by their versatile quarterback, will be their biggest strength on Wild Card Weekend and Pittsburgh's greatest downfall.