10 Reasons Tim Tebow Can Keep It Going Against Vikings

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow has surprised many with his uncanny ability to simply win. Statistically, Tebow has done nothing to indicate he would be an effective starting quarterback, let alone lead his team to a 5-1 since taking over as starter.

This week, he leads the 6-5 Broncos into Minnesota to take on the struggling Vikings with the playoffs within Denver's reach—an unthinkable scenario as recently as October.

Tebow is a polarizing figure; fans either adore him and love to see him win, or can't stand him and root for his lack of traditional quarterback skills to catch up with him so that he may fail spectacularly.

Those waiting for failure to catch up with Tebow will have to wait at least another week. Here are 10 reasons Tebow will continue his winning ways against the Vikings.

Denver Leads the League in Rush Yards Per Game

NFL coaches know the best way to cover deficiencies in the passing game is to establish an effective running game.

Behind Willis McGahee, Lance Ball and Tebow himself, the Broncos boast the league's top rushing offense. Denver is not only able to effectively move the ball on the ground and control the clock, but their run game forces defenses to load the box with defenders.

With more defenders focused on stopping the run, the passing game opens up, allowing even an inconsistent quarterback like Tebow to find his target more often than not. Denver's success in the running game gives them a distinct advantage over the defense that has really paid off late in games.

Von Miller May Play

The Broncos defense has flown largely under the radar thanks to the success Tebow has found. Allowing just 15 points or less in four of their last six games, the Broncos defense deserves as much of the credit as Tebow.

Rookie linebacker Von Miller has led the defensive charge in recent weeks. Miller, out of Texas A&M, leads the Broncos with 10.5 sacks this season. He injured his thumb in Denver's OT win over San Diego last week, but he hopes to take the field this week wearing a protective cast.

If Miller does play, his speed is likely to overwhelm a downtrodden Vikings squad who are set to take the field without star running back Adrian Peterson. Quarterback Christian Ponder and company will struggle to move the ball against the red-hot Broncos.

Eric Decker Continues to Develop

Second-year receiver Eric Decker has developed into Tim Tebow's favorite target. He has shown that he is capable of making tough catches even when he is well defended, giving Tebow much needed confidence when throwing his way.

The Broncos made an unusual move to clean house midseason when they parted ways with former starting quarterback Kyle Orton and former top receiver Brandon Lloyd. At the time, many had speculated the Broncos were essentially taking the rest of this season.

Decker, however, has stepped into the top receiver role brilliantly. Behind his leadership, the Broncos receiving corps has displayed unselfishness, patience and tenacity blocking downfield, all of which have helped to carry the Broncos to their current winning streak and made Tebow's transition easier.

Vikings Will Be Without Adrian Peterson

The 2011 season has been especially disappointing for the Minnesota Vikings. They have struggled on both sides of the ball all season.

Hurting their chances of turning it around, Adrian Peterson will be sitting out again as he continues to try to heal his injured ankle. Without Peterson, the Vikings have little to rely on offensively other than Percy Harvin.

Given that the Vikings will be without their best weapon, Tebow may not even have to do much this week to keep his winning streak alive.

Christian Ponder

Another reason Tebow will keep his winning ways going this weekend is that the Vikings are starting rookie Christian Ponder at quarterback.

Ponder has struggled since taking over for Donovan McNabb, and he will be without star running back Adrian Peterson to take pressure off him.

The struggles Ponder has encountered this season are to be expected for a rookie quarterback with few weapons to rely on. One thing is sure, he will not put it all together against the Broncos this week. Tebow's win streak will continue because of mistakes Ponder makes.

John Fox

When Tim Tebow took over as starting quarterback, John Fox knew he would need to change the Broncos offense to give the young quarterback a chance to win.

Fox has succeeded in developing an offense that emphasizes Tebow's strengths. By adapting the option offense that went out of style decades ago, he has given Tebow an opportunity to succeed.

This is not the first time in his coaching career that Fox has found success by tailoring his offense to his quarterback's strengths. As head man in Carolina, Fox was very successful with Jake Delhomme at the helm, despite Delhomme's inadequacies as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Brian Dawkins

Dawkins, an NFL veteran, provides leadership that few in the league can match.

He has established himself as the Broncos' spiritual leader and has ensured that all on the team have bought in to following Tebow. In a situation where apathy could have taken hold when Tebow took over for Orton, Dawkins ensured that all were on board and his leadership is now paying dividends.

Dawkins has also been playing extremely well.

When the Philadelphia Eagles allowed Dawkins to walk, there were whispers that he was nearing the end of his career, unable to continue to produce at a high level. Dawkins continues to prove his doubters wrong as the year wears on. He will make sure that the Broncos will be ready for the Vikings this week, preventing a letdown against a team that has struggled mightily.

Tebow's Fans

Tim Tebow, despite having only started eight games in his career, has a following like that of an NFL legend.

Tebow first became a fan favorite as quarterback of the Florida Gators. Many are drawn to his spirituality, the hard work ethic he displays and the fact that he is a proven winner.

Watching Broncos away games, there is an unbelievable number of Tebow jerseys in the stands. As long as he is starting quarterback, it seems that the Broncos will never face a hostile crowd. When the home team loses their home field advantage, the momentum shifts in the Broncos' favor.

Broncos Offensive Line

The Denver Broncos offensive line has found their stride with Tebow under center.

Unable to keep defenders off of Kyle Orton, the line has shifted their focus to almost exclusively run-blocking. This simplification of duties has allowed the line to unleash a lot of energy and turned them into road graters up front.

With Tebow under center, the line knows they will spend a majority of their time run-blocking. That galvanizes the unit, and they are playing their best football of the year. With the line playing as well as they have, Tebow's winning ways are sure to continue.

Momentum

In the NFL, momentum is paramount. The Tebow-led Broncos have a lot of it going into this week's game.

Riding a four-game winning streak and having won five of their last six, the Broncos are confident. When a team is confident and riding a wave of momentum, the little things seem to go their way.

That momentum will not break this week. The Broncos will ride it through Minnesota and on to their matchup with the Chicago Bears next week.