Tom Brady and Tim Tebow have absolutely nothing in common.
Well, except one thing. When they're under center, all they do is win.
They do it in different ways, though, and we're going to find out whose way is more effective when the New England Patriots square off against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon.
If you believe the spread, which according to Bovada (formerly Bodog) has the Patriots favored by a full seven points, Tom Brady's style of winning football games is the one you want to bet on.
At the same time, this is a spread that double-dares you to bet on Tebow and his unorthodox method of winning football games. "Go ahead," it says, "be bold and have faith in Tebow Time."
And you know what? You should.
But before we get into quarterbacks, it must be stressed that this game will come down to the defenses, one of which is very, very good, and one of which is very, very bad.
The Broncos have the very, very good one. Since Week 10, this Broncos defense has allowed 13 or fewer points in four of five games. In the one game it didn't allow so few points, rookie sensation Von Miller was sitting out with a wounded thumb.
Make no mistake about it. After starting the season as a bit of a joke, this defense has become elite. That there is John Fox's influence, as it's apparent now that his defensive know-how is still strong.
It takes an elite defense to truly limit the Patriots. The only defense that has really gotten the better of them this season was Pittsburgh's, as the Steelers held the Pats to 213 total yards and 17 points back in Week 8. On that day, Brady and friends looked totally human.
Denver won't dominate the Patriots quite like the Steelers did, but the Broncos will make life tough for them. Do not expect the Patriots to pile up points early and often.
On the flipside, New England's own defense is not going to dominate Tebow and the Broncos' offense. Say what you will about the Broncos being a one-quarter team, but Tebow has demonstrated that he can pick apart a subpar defense.
He did as much against the Minnesota Vikings, completing 10-of-15 passes for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That's a lot of production for so few throws, and Tebow was able to do it because he found the soft spots in Minnesota's bad secondary.
New England's secondary is just as bad, if not worse. We're talking about the league's worst pass defense, and that's not an accident. These guys have trouble keeping people in front of them.
This doesn't mean we're due for a shootout, mind you. Brady and the Pats' offense are going to score points, and we can expect to see Denver's offense sputter along, tacking on points where it can.
By the end of the game, the Patriots are going to have the edge. In other words, the Broncos are going to have them right where they want them.
In the end, the Broncos will win this game by the same formula they've won all the others: the defense sets 'em up, and Tebow knocks 'em down.
Expect a late touchdown, and an upset victory for the Broncos.
Broncos 28, Patriots 24
Nick Johnson Javier Lopez Alex Hinshaw Ramon Ramirez Sergio Romo Brian Wilson
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