NFL Playoffs 2012: Why the Patriots Will Get Tebowed by the Denver Broncos

This game is a rematch of Week 15, in which the Patriots pulled away and stopped the seven-game winning streak of the Denver Broncos. But this is the playoffs, and basically anything can happen. The No. 1-seeded Patriots have not had the greatest record in the playoffs after losing Super Bowl XLII.

And this weekend, nothing will change. Because the Denver Broncos are about ready to launch the man, the myth, the legend that is Tim Tebow.

New England Patriots Defense....or Lack There Of

The Patriots defense is ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense, and 31st in pass defense. But more importantly, the Patriots rank 18th in rushing defense. The Broncos have a quarterback by the name of Tim Tebow that is pretty much an NFL running back that can kinda throw the ball. Also, they have Willis McGahee as their running back. The Broncos were the best running team in the NFL.

This should scare the Patriots. This should scare the Patriots because we all knew that Tebow could run the ball, but now the Patriots defense, that has looked horrible at times, needs to decide how to stop Tebow. Granted, they did already stop him once, but that was a totally different Tebow. A Tebow that didn't throw for 316 yards on only 10 completions against the daunting Pittsburgh Steelers defense.

Watch out New England.

Patriots Previous Playoff Failure

In the years since the Patriots played in Super Bowl XLII, they haven't won a playoff game. In 2009, Tom Brady got hurt in the first regular season game and then came the emergence of Matt Cassel. But the Pats missed the playoffs. In 2010, the Patriots got blown out in the Wild Card Round at home by the Baltimore Ravens, 33-14. Just last year the Patriots, who were the No. 1 seed, lost to the division rival New York Jets, 28-21.

Starting to see a trend? The Patriots over the last three years have had trouble competing in the playoffs against teams that get hot at the right time. In come the Denver Broncos, who seem to be getting hot coming off a win against the defending AFC champions.

Momentum

Momentum becomes a more crucial part in the NFL playoffs every year. Ask the New York Jets about momentum the past two seasons. The Jets always seem to limp into the playoffs and then ride the wave of momentum all the way to the AFC Championship Game.

Well welcome aboard Denver, as you are the New York Jets of the 2012 playoffs. The Broncos got in to the playoffs riding a three-game losing streak. Then they decided to show up and play and beat the defending AFC champions.

Momentum has seemingly never been kind to the New England Patriots and yet again they have to face a team that is on that wave.

It's Tebow Time!

Tim Tebow during the Denver Broncos three-game losing streak was possibly the worst quarterback in the NFL. Then the playoffs came and something clicked in Tebow's head. Tebow threw for 316 yards and two touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were said to have the best defense in the league.

Now Tebow gets to go up against the worst defense in the league. Can't get much better. I know that the worst defense in the league has stopped Tebow before, so they can do it again right? No, because this is a totally different Tebow. This Tebow can pass!

The Broncos unleashed the beast and look for Tebow to unleash on the Patriots defense. I don't know what it is about Tebow that just makes him so hard not to pick. Whether he has got skill, GOD, intangibles or just pure dumb luck, the guy is a winner. Tebow will win in Foxborough against the Patriots.

Results

I know that this game was dominated by the New England Patriots in Week 15. But this is the playoffs and really anything can happen.

Not many people give Tebow and the Broncos a chance up in Foxborough, which can be justified. But when looking at the way Tebow man-handled the Pittsburgh Steelers defense that was arguably one of the best in the league, how can you not pick the guy? It's not like the 31st-ranked defense is going to slow him down. This game will be thrilling and highly competitive. Possibly the highest-rated NFL playoff game besides the Super Bowl.

But when it all boils down in the end, Tim Tebow will pull off some of his Mile High Magic and send Tom Brady and the Patriots packing. And for Tom Brady, the worst loss in his NFL career