4 Keys for Tim Tebow, Broncos to Upset Tom Brady and the Patriots

This week when the New England Patriots visit the Denver Broncos, it's not just a game of playoff implications, but also a game between two popular QBs.

Obviously Tom Brady is the more accomplished QB and Tim Tebow has quickly emerged this season. That being said, the Patriots are the Broncos first major test in quite some time, so it'll definitely be a grueling chess-match.

As for Tebow and Denver, here are four things needed to beat the Patriots.

Aggressively Moderate Approach

Yes this is an oxymoron, but this is what the Broncos offense must do and it won't be easy to manage, however, it is still possible.

Be aggressive by attacking New England's weak pass defense. They'll give up yards to any offense and Tim Tebow needs to get going early anyway for Denver to have a chance.

At the same time though, they must use up as much clock as possible to keep Tom Brady and Co. off the field. In addition, the Broncos must score early and we're not talking field-goals.

If Denver fails to put up at least 21-27 points by game's end, the Patriots will win. Make use of every possession to its' fullest extent. Even the non-scoring drives need to have at least a few first-downs to change the field position and run the clock.

Backed up inside their own red-zone is where the Pats defense is solid though. So, that is where running the ball will be vital. The Broncos need to have their most aggressive approach while controlling the tempo to maximize on every possession.

So in short, literally play their most flawless game offensively. 

Live by the Blitz, Die by the Blitz

It is the best way to shutdown any opposing offense, unfortunately it also leaves any defense, no matter how great, extremely vulnerable in coverage.

The Broncos defense needs to play this game with the attitude of nothing to lose. Getting pressure on Tom Brady on every series is so crucial that it's level of obviousness has no bounds.

Von Miller is a major role player in that regard, as well as Elvis Dumervil. These two guys need to just pulverize the New England offensive line and quite honestly destroy every blocker in their path. Getting to Brady is only going to mess up the timing with his receiving targets, which is all that Denver needs.

Unfortunately it's not easy either. New England is really only going to beat you one way and that's with Tom Brady. Their ground game is barely used and will be virtually obsolete against Denver's front seven anyway.

Also, a mix of DB blitzes with Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins will be needed to hit Brady from every angle. Regardless of how many sacks the Broncos record, it's all about knocking Brady around.

The more that happens, the more the timing gets messed up and the more frustrated the Patriots offense becomes. To that end however, it is the most difficult challenge for Denver in this game.

Minimize Gronkowski

The next most difficult task comes in the form of isolating the NFL's best TE, Rob Gronkowski.

Whenever he's not blitzing, Brian Dawkins needs to be covering this man along with another LB. Gronk must be double-covered at all times and Dawkins must always be one of the two covering him when not attacking Brady.

He's a more dangerous threat than Wes Welker because Gronk can stretch the field, out-leap any DB or LB, and is insanely difficult to tackle. And if you want anyone to cover him who knows how to tackle, it's Brian Dawkins.

Elsewhere, this will cause some other vulnerability on Denver as Welker and Deion Branch will be in single coverage. Luckily for the Broncos though, neither is much of a presence at stretching the field but Welker can widen the coverage.

It's yards after the catch where Welker can get you, so consistent tackling is required. As for Gronk, not only preventing him from yards after the catch, but keeping him at the line of scrimmage.

Whoever is covering Gronk must jam him as much as possible. The longer it takes for him to get off the line—even if it's just an additional one second—that's all you need. Thereafter, the pass rush can takeover.

Physical Presence

Denver needs to just smash the Patriots in the mouth, straight up.

Offensively, whenever Willis McGahee or Tim Tebow run the ball they must punish every single defender that tries to tackle them. Forget running out of bounds or making swift moves, just pick the knees up like the legendary RB Roger Craig and run through as many guys as possible.

Just ask any defense that's tried to stop Marhawn Lynch. The Seahawks have a distinct advantage because it's mentally intimidating when it takes five or six guys to tackle the ball carrier.

New England has a weak defense and the Broncos need to exploit everything about them, including their inability to tackle and get QB pressure. Anytime they run between the tackles, a lowered shoulder must knock someone over.

Defensively, it's even more important. Obviously the more Brady gets hit the better and a gang tackle on every receiver or running back. And as mentioned before, remaining physical with Rob Gronkowski even when he doesn't have the ball is key.

That said, it also goes for every other WR.

Whoever Champ Bailey and Andre Goodman line up across, constant jamming and press coverage to impose a physical presence will ruin the WRs confidence. If you out-hit New England for 60 minutes like the Pittsburgh Steelers did, the odds of winning astronomically increase.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27