Why Tim Tebow's Success Has Been a Mirage All Along

At 7-1 as a starter this season, Tim Tebow was hailed as the savior of a struggling Denver Broncos football team.

After an 0-2 record in the past two games, when Tebow and his teammates could have captured the AFC West division, everything the former Heisman Trophy and two-time National Championship winner has done to create a buzz has turned to major questions marks about his ability to lead an NFL team.

The success Tebow enjoyed while making the improbable probable, has faded away for the moment, much in the quick fashion his stardom took off.

The mirage of his success may finally be swept away in the winds through the Mile High state, as Tebow appears more mortal than ever before.

And the four-interception game against the Buffalo Bills may just prove he is still a work in progress and the need to grow and develop is part of the maturation process.

This past week, team president and Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway gave Tebow the vote of confidence he has been looking for. In a story out on ESPN.com, Elway said Tebow will be a Bronco for the future.

"Tim Tebow's not going anywhere," Elway said. "I mean, he's going to be a Bronco and we're going to do everything we can and hopefully he's that guy."

Elway's endorsement meant a lot to Tebow.

"Mr. Elway is obviously one of the best to ever play the game. To get any compliment from him is extremely nice," Tebow said Tuesday. "He's been around this game a long time. That's nice to hear."

But now that endorsement may ring hollow if Tebow continues to regress. The 40-14 loss was the worst of Tebow's career as a starter, and with the playoffs now hanging in the balance with the team needing to win next week, does it mean all the work Tebow has done with his image, the fan support and the improvement over time will all be for naught?

And the aura built around one of the faces of this year's NFL may continue to blow south if his productivity does not pick up. Tebow needs a solid game in the finale against Kansas City, who will start former Broncos starter Kyle Orton, the man whom Tebow replaced, next week.

It will be up to Tebow to silence his critics again.