NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Why Denver Broncos Are Destined to Fall in Rankings

Gabe Zaldivar

Dec 13, 2011

The Denver Broncos have come from the depths of NFL awfulness to be one of the most well-thought-of teams. The New England Patriots are about to send them spiraling once again.

I could sit here and simply state that Tim Tebow is going to win, just because. It seems the nation is quite content with such explanations for the rise of the Broncos.

Yet, we know better. The Broncos are far more than just one man on a lucky streak. Denver is a team that has completely shifted focus to defense and has enjoyed young players like Von Miller stepping up and making a difference.

After that, Tebow has been left to carve prevent defenses in the closing minutes. You have to love his poise and calm under such duress. The man is Kobe Bryant with the game on the line.

That is far as I go coddling Tebow. I saw the Broncos beating a battered Bears team last week but see them walking straight into disaster against the New England Patriots.

First, the Broncos defense has been far better as of late, but that does not mean it will completely stop the Tom Brady machine.

The Patriots have not been relegated to fewer than 30 points for six straight weeks. The Tim Tebow offense has only gone north of 20 points twice during the eight-week period it has been under his lead.

What has me worried about the Broncos is their propensity to be slow starters on offense. They have left the bulk of their success for the fourth quarter far more times than you would like to see.

The Patriots can be bested. This is not the most stout New England squad we have ever seen and it is susceptible, but you still need to be prepared to keep pace with its scoring.

As it is, the Broncos are just not prepared for that sort of battle.

Gabe Zaldivar's Week 15 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
5. New England Patriots
6. San Francisco 49ers
7. Houston Texans
8. Atlanta Falcons
9. Detroit Lions
10. New York Jets
11. Denver Broncos
12. New York Giants
13. Cincinnati Bengals
14. Tennessee Titans
15. Dallas Cowboys
16. Chicago Bears
17. Oakland Raiders
18. San Diego Chargers
19. Buffalo Bills
20. Seattle Seahawks
21. Philadelphia Eagles
22. Carolina Panthers
23. Arizona Cardinals
24. Miami Dolphins
25. Washington Redskins
26. Kansas City Chiefs
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
29. Cleveland Browns
30. Minnesota Vikings
31. St. Louis Rams
32. Indianapolis Colts