The Broncos have lost their last three games by a combined score of 88-40 as they are limping into the playoffs.  The Steelers have won 6 of their last seven games and 10 of their last 12, so they are hot despite not playing too well recently.  In Ben Roethlisberger’s last three starts, the Steelers have only mustered 30 points.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are not going to change for the Steelers this Sunday.  The Broncos are going to unleash Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow against a Steelers’ run D that is allowing 99.8 yards rushing per game and 4.0 yards per carry.  The Broncos’ O-Line is a big part of the reason that the Broncos are averaging 164.5 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry.  The Broncos need to have a good running game if Tim Tebow is going to have a good chance of making some plays with his arm this Sunday.  The Steelers don’t rush the passer as good as they used to in 2011.  WRs Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker will both likely be able to get open this Sunday…..the question is…..Will Tebow get them the ball?

When the Steelers have the ball:  The Steelers will likely try to be a little more balanced than usual this Sunday.  Isaac Redman will be starting at RB for the Steelers and he lost two fumbles against the Browns last weekend.  With that in mind the Broncos’ D should be trying to strip him every time he touches the football.  The Broncos are going to unleash OLB Von Miller and DE Elvis Dumervil on Ben Roethlisberger.  The Steelers’ O-Line sucks, so there is a good chance that the Broncos can knock out Roethlisberger.  If that happens, the Broncos are going to win this game as Charlie Batch scares no one.  The Broncos will likely have to give help over the top against Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.  The safeties are also going to have to step up to stop TE Heath Miller.

PREDICTION:  STEELERS 16, BRONCOS 13

The Broncos need to get back on the right track if the want to win the AFC West.  They have lost their last two games by a combined score of 81-37!  The Broncos can win the AFC West tomorrow with a win over the Chiefs or a loss by the Raiders at home against the Chargers.  They can also still get a wildcard spot with a lot of help.  The Chiefs are going to be a tough out for the Broncos as Kyle Orton is going to be out for revenge in this game.  The Broncos won the first meeting of these two teams, 17-10 at Arrowhead Stadium.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos rushed for 244 yards in the first meeting of these two teams, but Tim Tebow only completed 2 passes.  Look for the Broncos to have the same gameplan this time around.  That means that Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow are going to run the ball a lot in this game.  But, I have a feeling that they are going to have to throw more this week, if they want to beat the Chiefs.  Tebow will also need to get Eric Decker back involved in the passing game, as Demaryius Thomas is likely going to be double covered in this game.

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Chiefs will come out running the ball early with Thomas Jones and Dexter McCluster carrying the load against a Broncos’ D that is allowing 127.7 yards rushing per game and 4.2 yards per carry.  But, the running game will just likely be for show as Kyle Orton is going to want to fill the air with footballs to try to stick it to his old team.  The Broncos need to get a good pass rush going against Orton, because if he has a lot of time to throw the ball….they are in big trouble.  WRs Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston, Jonathan Baldwin and RB Dexter McCluster give the Chiefs a lot of weapons in the passing game.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 23, BRONCOS 17

The Broncos control their own destiny as far as the AFC West goes.  They lost last weekend, but they are still one game ahead of the Chargers and Raiders in the division.  The Bills have now lost 7 games in a row as they look nothing like the team that started 5-2 in 2011.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are going to try to grind out a big win on the road tomorrow.  Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow will likely find a lot of running room against a Bills’ D that is allowing 139.5 yards rushing per game and 4.8 yards per carry.  This will set up Tebow for some playaction passes down the field.  He will be aiming for WRs Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker against a Bills’ D that is allowing 230.0 yards passing per game so far this year.

When the Bills have the ball:  The Bills are going to come out passing, so the Broncos need DE Elvis Dumervil and OLB Von Miller to get after Bills’ QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.  Fitzpatrick has 19 interceptions so far this year, so he can be sloppy at times with the football.  RB C.J. Spiller has the speed to stretch a defense, so the front seven are going to have their hands full for the Broncos tomorrow.

PREDICTION:  BRONCOS 20, BILLS 17

The Denver Broncos have won six games in a row and they are 7-1 with Tim Tebow at QB.  The Patriots have won five games in a row.  Both teams need this game for playoff reasons.  The Patriots are chasing to be the top seed in the AFC, while the Broncos are trying to win the AFC West.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos can’t afford to let the Patriots get a big lead in this game, so they will have to throw the ball a lot more than they like to early in this game.  With that being said, Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow are still going to run the ball a lot tomorrow.  The Broncos will have to protect Tebow, because if they give him time to throw the ball, he’s going to make some plays down the field against a Patriots’ D that is giving up 308.7 yards passing per game so far this year.  WRs Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Matt Willis are likely going to be open a lot in this game, so the question will be…..Will Tim Tebow get them the ball?

When the Patriots have the ball:  The Broncos only real hope of stopping Tom Brady is by getting a good pass rush on him.  Brady is likely to keep the pedal to the metal the whole game, because he knows all about Tim Tebow’s comeback ability.  TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are going to five the Broncos’ safeties big time trouble in this game.  That also means that the Broncos’ corners are going to have to go solo against WRs Deion Branch and Wes Welker….and that’s not good.  RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis will likely get quite a few carries if the Broncos load up to stop the pass and he is a very physical runner.

PREDICTION:  PATRIOTS 34, BRONCOS 20

The Broncos have now won five games in a row and six of their last seven.  It appears that Tim Tebow has sparked his whole team to “greatness”.  This is a HUGE game for the Broncos, as they are tied atop the AFC West with the Raiders right now.  The Bears have lost their last two games by a combined score of 35-23, as they are having problems scoring with Caleb Hanie at QB.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are a run first team and that isn’t going to change this weekend against the Bears.  Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow will take aim at the Bears’ run D.  The Bears are giving up 99.8 yards rushing per game but 4.5 yards per carry so far this year.  The Bears have 16 interceptions this year, so Tebow will have to be careful throwing the ball this weekend.  But, WRs Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas give Tebow a couple of really solid options down the field against a Bears’ D that is giving up 259.5 yards passing per game so far this year.

When the Bears have the ball:  The Bears are really hurting right now offensively.  They will be without Matt Forte, so Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell will split the carries in this game.  Neither Bell or Barber are in Forte’s class as a runner or receiver, so the front seven might be able to handle stopping the Bears’ running game this Sunday.  The Broncos are going to be blitzing a lot in his game as Caleb Hanie tends to hold onto the football too long.  He is also prone to throwing pickoffs, so the Broncos’ secondary could be in line for a good game.

PREDICTION:  BRONCOS 17, BEARS 16

The Broncos have now won four games in a row and they are 5-1 when Tim Tebow starts at QB.  The Vikings have lost three games in a row as they are regressing.  They have been outscored by a combined score of 96-42 in their last three games.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are a run first team, so that is likely the way they are going to roll tomorrow in Minnesota.  Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow are going to have to work hard tomorrow as the Vikings are only giving up 99.6 yards rushing and 3.7 yards per carry.  The Broncos might be able to throw the ball a lot more than usual tomorrow as the Vikings are giving up 258.2 yards passing per game and opposing QBs have a 104.5 QB Rating against them.  They have a lot of injuries in the secondary, so if the Broncos’ O-Line can keep DE Jared Allen (13.5 sacks), Tebow could have his best passing game of the season.  Tebow is going to have to find someone else to throw to in this game, unless WR Eric Decker can beat the double coverage he’s very like to see tomorrow.

When the Vikings have the ball:  The Vikings will be without Adrian Peterson tomorrow and that’s good news for the Broncos.  The Vikings will likely be a pass first team tomorrow with Toby Gerhart starting at RB.  The Broncos are going to have to get pressure on rookie QB Christian Ponder in an effort to force him into making some mistakes with the ball.  WR Percy Harvin is a true gamebreaker, so the Broncos are going to have to give safety help to their corners over the top.  TE Visanthe Shiancoe is likely to be targeted a lot in this game too, so the safeties are going to have a full workday for the Broncos tomorrow.  Toby Gerhart is a tough runner, but he doesn’t have the speed to hurt the D on long runs.

PREDICTION:  BRONCOS 17, VIKINGS 13

These are two teams going in opposite directions.  The Broncos have won 3 games in a row and they are 4-1 with Tim Tebow as the starting QB.  The Chargers have lost five games in a row and their last win was against the Broncos, 29-24 in Denver.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are going to run the ball a lot this weekend against a Chargers’ D that is allowing 124.4 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry.  Willis McGahee should be in line for a big game running the ball.  Tim Tebow is also going to get his fair share of carries this weekend.  The Chargers don’t have a good pass rush, so Tebow should have time to throw the ball when he wants to.  WR Eric Decker has been the favorite of Tim Tebow, but he’s starting to develop confidence in other receivers.

When the Chargers have the ball:  The Chargers are going to come out throwing the ball in an effort to jump to a quick lead on the Broncos.  The Broncos are going to have to get pressure on Philip Rivers, or he could be in line for a big game.  WR Vincent Jackson gives the Chargers a huge advantage due to his size and speed combo.  TE Antonio Gates and WR Vincent Brown give Rivers a couple of more targets in the passing game.  RBs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert are threats both in the running and passing game for the Chargers.

PREDICTION:  CHARGERS 30, BRONCOS 17

The Broncos are 3-1 with Tim Tebow as the starting QB, but all of the wins have come on the road.  The lone home game that Tebow started in this season was the 45-10 beating at the hands of the Detroit Lions.  The Jets are likely to be an angry bunch coming into tonight’s game after getting thumped at home by the Patriots last weekend.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are averaging 158.2 yards rushing per game and 5.0 yards per carry this year, so they are going to come out running the ball against a Jets’ D that has had issues stopping the run this year.  Willis McGahee is likely to miss this game with his broken hand, putting pressure on Lance Ball and Tim Tebow to be the featured runners tonight.  The Jets are not the best pass rushing team around, so Tebow should have time to throw the ball in this game.  But, he will have to be careful with the ball as Darrelle Revis will likely be locked up with Eric Decker.

When the Jets have the ball:  The Jets have turned into a run first team with Shonn Greene carrying most of the load.  He is a straight ahead power runner, so the interior of the Broncos’ D is going to get tested big time tonight.  The Broncos will need OLB Von Miller and DE Elvis Dumervil to get after Jets’ QB Mark Sanchez in an effort into forcing him into making some mistakes.  TE Dustin Keller is Sanchez’ go-to man in the passing game this year, so the safeties will have to know where he’s at all of the time.  WRs Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress give Sanchez two more solid targets in the passing game.

PREDICTION:  JETS 27, BRONCOS 13

The Denver Broncos are 2-1 under Tim Tebow at QB, as the team has risen to the challenge of having him under center.  The Chiefs got destroyed last weekend at home, 31-3 by the then winless Miami Dolphins.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are a running team now, so look for them to keep the ball on the ground this weekend.  Willis McGahee and Tim Tebow have been excellent running the ball this year and the Chiefs are giving up 120.3 yards rushing per game and 4.1 yards per carry, so the Broncos will likely be controlling the clock.  When the Broncos decide to throw the ball, Tebow should have more time than usual, as the Chiefs only have 9 sacks so far this year.  He will have to be careful with the ball when targeting his WRs as the Chiefs already have 13 interceptions so far this year.

When the Chiefs have the ball:  The Broncos are giving up 258.0 yards passing per game, so I expect Matt Cassel to come out throwing the ball.  He has three very capable WRs in Dwayne Bowe, Steve Breaston and Jonathan Baldwin….so the Broncos are going to have to turn up the pressure on him from the get go.  RB Jackie Battle has been carry the biggest part of the workload in the running game for the Chiefs this year, but Dexter McCluster has the moves and speed to hurt the Broncos’ D in both the running and passing games.

PREDICTION:  CHIEFS 20, BRONCOS 16

The Denver Broncos won the season opener 23-20 over the Raiders, but my how things have changed.  Tim Tebow is the starting QB now for the Broncos, who are 1-1 under him.  The Raiders now have Carson Palmer as their starting QB and he has had 2 weeks to prepare for this game.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Broncos have the ball:  The Broncos are going to try to establish the running game early with Willis McGahee (possible return from broken hand), Knowshon Moreno, Lance Ball and Tim Tebow.  The Raiders are giving up 116.9 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry, so there are yards to be had.  Tebow will have to get rid of the ball quicker (he has been sacked 13 times already this year), if he’s going to have success against the Raiders’ D throwing the ball.  WRs Eric Decker, Eddie Royal and Demaryius Thomas give Tebow three nice targets to throw to and the Raiders are allowing 266.0 yards passing per game this year.

When the Raiders have the ball:  The Raiders are going to be without Darren McFadden (due to a foot injury), but that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be a run first team.  Michael Bush is going to give the front seven of the Broncos’ fits tomorrow.  Carson Palmer is going to probably be ready to go for the Raiders this weekend.  They brought in one of his favorite WRs (T.J. Houshmandzadeh) and Palmer could be looking for him a lot in this game.  The Raiders boast a ton of speed at WR, so the secondary is going to have to be ready for them.

PREDICTION:  RAIDERS 24, BRONCOS 17