NFL Predictions Week 7: Tim Tebow's Strong Effort Won't Be Enough for Broncos

It's officially Tebow Time in Denver. Well, the Broncos are on the road this week, so it's technically Tebow time in Miami, but you get the point.

As a general rule, I don't predict winless teams to win games this late in the year. It's not that I think they will go 0-16, but you need to win at least one game before you can be realistically predicted to win a specific game.

But this game is a little different.

For one, while the Broncos aren't winless, they are not a good team. Denver is coming off of a 4-12 season and would do well to get back to get to that point this year.

Two, the game is in Miami. While the Dolphins don't enjoy a particularly great home field advantage, it hard for western teams to go east. The Broncos aren't West Coast or Pacific Time Zone, but they are only an hour ahead.

Three, even if you feel that Tim Tebow is a better quarterback than Kyle Orton, switching quarterbacks is always a tough adjustment for teams to make.

I understand that Tebow played relatively well against San Diego, but the Chargers weren't preparing for the former Heisman winner all week. The Dolphins, on the other hand, have been.

Lastly, Tebow's best receiver was just traded. So, he'll be left without a paddle at times.

Now, I do expect Tebow to play well. I think we fixate a little too much on whether or not someone is a classic pocket quarterback.

While it would be nice to have a Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers type of quarterback, realize that they play on teams that allow them to drop back and find receivers.

For a team like the the Broncos, having a quarterback who runs around and buys time is not a bad thing. Actually, it may be essential.

So, I do expect a good performance from him. I don't know that he'll silence any doubters, but he'll at least give his supporters some concrete proof as to why they want him under center.

Still, it won't be enough to win. I really expect Brandon Marshall to make a difference against Denver's poor pass defense.