The first weekend of the NFL's 2011-2012 Playoffs concludes with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Denver Broncos. The Steelers come into this game having compiled the second best record in the AFC this year at 12-4, but fell behind the Baltimore Ravens in tie breakers, making the Steelers the top Wild Card team. Meanwhile, the Broncos slipped into the playoffs as the NFL's only postseason team without a winning record, winning the AFC West with an 8-8 record.
But, the story of the game will be Tim Tebow. Tebow came out of training camp as the third quarterback on the depth chart, but when the team faltered behind Kyle Orton, Tebow was elevated to the starter. Tebow carried the team to a 7-4 record over the final 11 weeks of the year, and, despite losing their last three games, the AFC West crown.
The Tebow Time magic that so dominated the quarterback's early performance seems to have disappeared, and, if the Broncos are going to have any chance to beat Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers, they will need it to return in a hurry.
Enjoy the game!