Steelers vs. Broncos: Why Tim Tebow, Denver Are Primed for Big Upset

It appears no one is giving the Denver Broncos a chance in their "home" playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Maybe that is a good thing for the Tim Tebow-led Broncos, whose struggles of late have led to criticism of the "rock star" quarterback who led the team to a 7-1 record as a starter before losing his next three games as Denver limped into the playoffs with an 8-8 record.

Still, the Broncos won the AFC West, and like all other 11 teams in the postseason, they have a chance to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy.

This team, especially, seems to relish the underdog role.

Pittsburgh looks to be the better team on paper, as a 12-4 record and an NFL-best defense would attest. However, injuries of late to starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and starting running back Rashard Mendenhall have hurt the team offensively as a whole. While the Broncos expect Roethlisberger to play at his best today, Mendenhall will not see the field.

With or without the injuries, maybe this will be the start of another run for the Broncos, who, like the Cleveland Browns of the 1980s, always seem to find a way to squeeze out a win in the most inopportune moments.

Denver won games on five fourth-quarter comebacks or overtime wins. When it appeared Tebow would fail his team, he did his best in the fourth quarter.

The reason for the possible upset is simple: Not many give this team of young talent, questionable quarterbacking and injuries in the secondary (Brian Dawkins will miss the game with a neck injury) much hope against an older, more mature Steelers team that was in the Super Bowl last season. How will Tebow handle the front seven of the Pittsburgh defense? Will he be able to run on them? Tebow was responsible for 660 yards rushing this season, second on the team to Willis McGahee.

If playing the part of the underdog works, look for Denver to use it to its advantage. It's a home game since the Broncos won their division, but you would not know that outside of Colorado. And while this season has seen teams like Cincinnati, Detroit and Houston all make the postseason, maybe it is the least likely of them all to find a little crack that will allow them to excel when others haven't given them a chance in the first place.

Much like most people have done for a better part of the regular season. If the game is close in the fourth quarter and there is a chance for Tebow and the Broncos to work some more magic, with the team's track record this season no one should bet against them, mainly because everyone has many times over this season.