Broncos vs Patriots: 5 Key Matchups to Watch in Huge Divisional Round Game

Televisions across America tonight will be tuned to CBS as the 2012 NFL Playoffs roll on David vs. Goliath style when quarterback Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos travel to face Tom Brady and the top-seeded New England Patriots in a much-ballyhooed AFC showdown.

Most of the press leading up the Saturday's game has centered on Denver's second-year signal-caller, but believe it or not, Tim Tebow won't be the only player on the field, and while Tebow's play will be a huge factor tonight, the following handful of matchups will also go a long way towards determining who emerges from chilly Foxboro victorious.

1. Willis McGahee vs. Jerod Mayo

The unsung hero of the Denver Broncos offense this season has undoubtedly been running back Willis McGahee, who has quietly racked up nearly 1,200 rushing yards for the National Football League's top ranked rushing offense.

A big part of holding the New England offense in check lies with keeping them off the field, so it will be up to McGahee and the Broncos ground game to try to both move the ball and bleed the clock against linebacker Jerod Mayo and the Patriots defense.

2. Champ Bailey vs. Wes Welker

New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker had the best season of his eight-year career in 2011, catching an eye-popping 122 passes for a career high 1,569 yards and nine scores.

Cornerback Champ Bailey and the Denver Broncos secondary were able to hold Welker relatively in check when these two teams met in Week 15, holding him to four catches for 41 yards, and containing Welker again tonight has to be a priority for the Denver defense.

3. Denver Secondary vs. New England Tight Ends

However, the Denver secondary wasn't nearly as successful in corralling the New England Patriots standout tight ends in the Patriots 41-23 win over the Broncos earlier this year, as Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez combined for a mind boggling 13 catches for 182 yards and a touchdown.

It's certainly easier said than done (as teams have found out the hard way all season long), but keeping the Patriots tight ends from shredding the Denver defense again is an absolute necessity if the Broncos are going to pull the upset.

4. Kyle Arrington vs. Demaryius Thomas

One of the heroes of the Denver Broncos improbable win over the Pittsburgh Steelers was certainly wide receiver DeMaryius Thomas, who hauled in four catches for a staggering 204 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the 80-yard catch and run that decided the game in overtime.

Thomas has grown into the favorite target on Tim Tebow's vertical passes, and it will be essential for the two to connect on at least a couple Saturday night against a New England Patriots secondary that was abysmal much of the season.

5. Tim Tebow vs. the Weather

Like I was going to go the distance without mentioning him.

I'm not generally a big fraidy-cat where it concerns the weather—unless it's just awful or very windy—but Tim Tebow will likely be playing in the coldest game in which he's ever participated Saturday night.

And on the road in the playoffs, it's just one more obstacle he'll have to overcome if the Legend of Tebow is to grow even more.