2012 NFL Playoffs: Why the Denver Broncos Are Peaking at the Perfect Time

After beating the Pittsburgh Steelers this past weekend, the Denver Broncos are playing their best football at just the right time.

Many people have attempted to figure out the Broncos' unorthodox style of play, but the team continues to stun the nonbelievers as they advance through the playoffs.

There's been a method to the madness for the Broncos.

Here are the four reasons why the Broncos are peaking at the perfect time.

Offensive Line

The offensive line has been spectacular all season.

Anchored by Ryan Clady and Orlando Franklin, the Denver Broncos' offensive line has given the running game new life this season. Their blocking has allowed Willis McGahee and the rest of the Denver running backs to run for 164.5 yards per game, leading the NFL.

What is impressive about that statistic is that many times, defenses know the Broncos will run the ball since Tebow usually only throws between 10-15 times a game. Even with defenses anticipating the Broncos, Denver is still having great success.

And the majority of the credit goes to the offensive line. 

Coaching

Kudos to John Fox and the rest of the Denver Broncos' coaching staff for giving the Broncos an opportunity to play their best football last weekend.

They finally let Tim Tebow take some shots down the field, calling a nice variety of run and play action-type plays. Most importantly, they gave Tebow the opportunity to succeed.

Too many times, the Broncos would be pounding the rock too much, which would cause them to become predictable and easier to stop. It seems like the coaching staff finally woke up and let Tebow "pull the trigger."

If the coaches let Tebow throw more on first down and build his confidence earlier in the game, that could give Tebow and the offense a huge lift against the Patriots.

The Will to Win

I understand people are tired of seeing sports media giving Tim Tebow all of the credit for the Broncos' resurgence. 

Of course, it's not all because of Tebow. The defense has been spectacular behind players like Von Miller and Champ Bailey. Matt Prater has given Denver some huge kicks in pressure situations. Without a team effort, none of this would have happened.

But you can't ignore the effect that Tebow has on the rest of the team. Why couldn't Kyle Orton do this well with the exact same players? He even had Brandon Lloyd!

The point is that Tebow is a flat-out winner with the way he steps up his game when his back is against the wall and helping his teammates do the same. Having an emotional leader like Tebow on the field positively impacts the attitude and morale of this team, which goes a long way in improving their play.

It seems as if the Broncos simply refuse to lose in the clutch moments.

Demaryius Thomas

Perhaps the biggest hero in Sunday's game was Demaryius Thomas.

His 80-yard touchdown reception in overtime will go down as one of the greatest plays in Denver Broncos history, but he's been much more to the Broncos than just that one play.

Time after time it seems him and Tim Tebow have been on the same page with Thomas making very athletic catches downfield and becoming an extremely reliable target for Tebow.

In the game against Pittsburgh, Thomas had only four receptions, but for an astounding 204 receiving yards.

Thomas has been elevating his game, and it's just at the right time to do so. With Eric Decker possibly missing this weekend's game, Thomas needs to continue his high level of production in order for the Broncos to have a chance at advancing further into the playoffs.