Steelers vs. Broncos: John Fox Is Smart to Pressure Tim Tebow with Brady Quinn

John Fox may be playing a little game of reverse psychology or motivation by fear. Fox has seemingly placed his team in perfect position to replace Tim Tebow at QB with Brady Quinn. 

By giving Quinn a percentage of Tebow's reps at QB with the first team, it would imply that Quinn is being prepared to play in the event Tebow plays poorly again. This is an ingenious move on the part of Fox. He is applying pressure to a player that has shown the ability to deliver his best performances in tough situations throughout the season.

In fourth quarters, Tim Tebow has looked like a Pro Bowler in many of his games' this year. Fox is essentially trying to turn this entire game into a fourth quarter for Tebow. It's a great way to try and get the best out of Tebow. And if it backfires, he still has Quinn available and prepared to step in.

This complicates the preparation for the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the game plan for Tebow figures to be much different than the one for Quinn. In a game where the Broncos figure to be outmatched, this type of deception is needed to even the playing field. It is also a way to place Tebow in a make-or-break situation.

The Broncos still aren't all in on Tebow. If he fails in this game, especially if Quinn comes in and outplays him, the Broncos can turn some of Tebow supporters against him. Then, the team can pursue their preferred approach for another QB without fan backlash.

Fox's posturing has the Broncos in a win-win situation.