Broncos vs. Patriots: Tom Brady Facing Same Pressure Tim Tebow Endured Last Week

Boy how much of a difference one week makes for Denver Broncos (9-8) QB Tim Tebow.

Last week, Tebow was on thin ice after three straight uninspired losses, and his future as a Bronco was completely up in the air. John Elway was terrified.

A 39-23 OT win over the Steelers later, and everything from here on out is gravy. As long as Denver doesn’t lose by 40 to the New England Patriots (13-3), the season was a success. He is playing with house money now.

Which is the exact opposite hand currently dealt to Tom Brady.

At the age of 34, the best days of Brady’s right arm are behind him. While he’s still capable of winning a Super Bowl, the window is slowly shutting right before his eyes. There are only so many opportunities like this left in his tank.

After beginning his playoff career a ridiculous 10-0, including three Super Bowl victories, he’s gone 4-4 since. He hasn’t won a game in the postseason since the 2007 season.

Is it a fluke, or is something wrong with Brady?

Two years straight, the Pats welcomed a wild-card opponent to their field, and the Ravens and Jets won by a combined 26 points.

Brady needs this win. He can’t drop a third straight home playoff game against a team they thrashed by 18 just a month ago. He can’t lose to a quarterback that completes less than 50 percent of his passes, one that has stolen the thunder of not only the Patriots' 13-3 season, but the entire league. It’s Tebow Time all 24/7 right now, and Brady is in charge of destroying it.

Every team is secretly hoping Brady puts Tebow in the sleeper hold and pins him once and for all.

A loss would be devastating for Brady on so many levels. He would be disappointing his fans, his aging teammates and the majority of the players in the league today.

The heat is cranked to a suffocating level for the one they call Tom Terrific on Saturday.