Steelers vs. Broncos: Denver's Chances Hinge on Von Miller, Not Tim Tebow

Forget about Tim Tebow for at least a second, maybe two. If you really want to see who the real difference-maker will be for the Denver Broncos against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second AFC Wild Card game, keep your eyes on Von Miller.

And not just Von Miller, but Von Miller's right hand, which shouldn't be too difficult, given that it's wrapped in a big, white cast.

Miller's worn the cast since Week 12, when he tore ligaments in that hand during the Broncos' miraculous win over the San Diego Chargers. He missed the win in Minnesota the following week with the injury and finally returned in time for Denver's similarly-miraculous comeback victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 14.

However, Miller clearly hasn't been the same guy with the cast on.

Since his not-so-triumphant return, Miller has managed just seven tackles and one sack in four games—a noticeably steep drop-off from the 57 tackles and 10.5 sacks he racked up during his first 10 games of the season.

That decline didn't keep Miller from earning a trip to the Pro Bowl or distinction as an All-Pro as a rookie, but it did have a significant impact on Denver's pass rush.

With Miller hampered, the Broncos struggled to get much pressure on the likes of Tom Brady and Ryan Fitzpatrick, precipitating the season-ending three-game losing streak that had the team backing into the AFC West crown and the fourth seed in the conference playoff picture.

Of course, Tebow's struggles didn't help any, but just as one man does not a six-game win streak make, neither does one man a three-game slide make.

That being said, for the Broncos to win in Sunday's game, or any game for that matter, they need their defense to dominate so as to keep the score close and allow Tebow and the ground game enough leeway to make plays in the fourth quarter.

Miller is arguably the best and most important player on Denver's defense, so naturally, the burden of responsibility will fall on him and his hand.

The Steelers should serve as an interesting test of Miller's efficacy as a pass rusher at this point in the healing process.

Their offensive line is terrible, Ben Roethlisberger is hobbling around on a badly sprained ankle and Rashard Mendenhall won't be around to carry the ball or provide protection in the backfield on account of a torn ACL.

Bursting through that lackluster pocket won't necessarily prove that Miller is back, but if the kid fails to make hay against Pittsburgh's banged-up passing scheme, then he and the Broncos will be in deep trouble.

Big Ben may be a statue, but it's not as though he can't pick apart Denver's defensive backfield if given the opportunity. Certainly, speedsters like Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown, not to mention veteran safety valve Hines Ward, would be all too happy to oblige Roethlisberger in that very endeavor.

Should that happen, the Steelers will have little trouble raining down touchdowns and creating just enough of a gap that the impotent Broncos offense will have no choice but to pout and/or pray for another Matt Prater miracle or four.

So, while thousands of screaming fans at Mile High Stadium are cheering "TE-BOW! TE-BOW!" and the frenzied media are egging on folks at home to do the same, what the Broncos faithful really should be shouting is "MI-LLER! MI-LLER!"

And hoping that Tebow can use his magical powers to heal Miller's troublesome hand with a simple, imitable genuflect.

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