Tim Tebow and Denver Broncos Will Make Tom Brady and Patriots Crumble in Foxboro

In Week 11, after Tim Tebow drove 95 yards in the fourth quarter to defeat the Jets, I wrote, "Tebow might just be the new Tom Brady. I believe it. Give the guy two minutes, a game in which his team is losing or tied, and he will give the Denver Broncos the W."

However, I never could have imagined that the two would meet in the playoffs to go to the AFC championship game.

The Denver Broncos will travel to Foxboro on Saturday to play in what could be one of the highest-rated playoff games in NFL history.

After the "Miracle at Mile High," all eyes will be on Tim Tebow when he faces the New England Patriots. 

What Was New England Thinking?

New England was able to take Wild-Card Weekend off and tune in to see who they would face in the divisional round.

It would have been interesting to be inside the Patriot's heads as the Broncos came from six points down in the second quarter to take a 20-6 lead in to halftime, then allow for the Steelers to tie the game, only for Tebow to lead his team to victory once again in overtime.

What was Tom Brady thinking? Which team would he rather face this week? A Pittsburgh Steelers team that defeated him earlier this season? Or the Tim Tebow led Broncos, who gave the game away against the Patriots earlier in the year.

Either way, Brady will come out prepared and at the top of his game on Saturday.

Tim Tebow: The Next Tom Brady?

If Tim Tebow can beat the Patriots and Tom Brady, is Tim Tebow indeed the next Tom Brady in terms of game-winning drives and comebacks?

In a small sample, he averages more game-winning drives than Brady does.

Since Brady entered the NFL, he has a remarkable 34 game-winning drives and 24 fourth-quarter comebacks including the playoffs.

In only 15 career starts, Tim Tebow has six fourth-quarter comebacks and 7 game-winning drives. He has had a game-winning drive in almost every other game he has started and is now 1-of-1 in the playoffs.

Why New England Won in Week 15

When we look back at the matchup earlier this season against Denver, the Patriots fell behind early and were able to get back in the game due to Denver miscues.

The Broncos lost three fumbles and allowed the Patriots to easily take the lead in the game.

While still leading 16-14, Denver lost a fumble which led to a field goal to give the Patriots a 17-16 lead.

On the following drive, they fumbled again, resulting in a New England touchdown to take a 24-16 lead, and New England never looked back.

Broncos Ability to Get Back into Games

There's something about the Broncos that seems to catch teams off guard.

Whether teams take them for granted or let the hype creep in their heads, thus allowing mental mistakes, something happens.

I don't think it would be shocking if Brady and the Patriots fall short at home against the Broncos.

Recent history suggests it might happen as well.

Patriots Not Impressive in Playoffs Since 2004

The Patriots have not won anything since the 2004 season.

Since the Patriots won Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005, New England is 5-5 in the playoffs.

Included in this are back-to-back years exiting in the first game they have played. Both of these games were at home.

Are the Patriots on the road to disaster with a loss this weekend to the Broncos? 

What to Expect on Saturday

If Denver cleans up their play and execute effectively, then they will stay in the game longer which could set up another Tim Tebow game-winning drive.

Tom Brady will execute in this game, but I think the Denver defense is certainly capable of making a few big plays. We have seen Brady implode this year and let things get away quickly, as he did against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3. By the time he turned it around, it was too late.

The 17th-ranked rushing defense of the Patriots will have to contain the best rushing offense in the league.

Denver will try to keep the Patriots off balance on defense, in order to open up lanes for Tebow, Willis McGahee and Lance Ball.

In the first matchup this year, the Broncos combined for 252 yards rushing and three touchdowns. 

The Broncos attacked the best passing defense in the NFL on Sunday night. In the divisional round, Denver will face the second-worst pass defense.

Tebow will look to have success passing as he did against the Steelers. If he can complete a few big passes early, then the running game will be more effective, and the Patriots will be on their heels on defense.

Will Tebow be able to orchestrate another miraculous comeback in Foxboro? Or will New England take a lead that's too large for even Tim Tebow to overcome.

They Will Meet Again

It looks like Tom Brady was right when he told Tim Tebow "We'll see you again" after their first meeting in Week 15. 

The game will be a thriller, and the winner will be headed to the AFC championship game and one step closer to the Super Bowl.

For full Divisional Round previews, visit here.