WRITTEN BY GEOFF FOSTERFOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL...
http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2012/01/13/nfl-divisional-round-playoffs-wsj-picks/
...and it's awesome!
Denver Broncos (+13.5) at New England Patriots
DR: Broncos; KC: Pats; GF: Broncos; HTC: Broncos
When I wrote the prediction for the Broncos vs. Patriots game a couple weeks ago, I drew an analogy to the scene from “Star Wars” where the Dark Side (Patriots) unleashes the full power of their best weapons to destroy the peaceful planet of Alderaan (aka Planet Tebowmania). That more or less happened in Week 15, as the Patriots racked up 451 yards and 41 points and left Denver fans second-guessing their faith in the power of the Force (the Tebow). The Broncos would lose the next two and trip backwards into the playoffs. But then, they shocked the galaxy with their defeat of the Steelers in the wild card round, and a new hope was born. The scrappy Rebel Alliance, disregarding decades of football logic and blindly following its belief in Tebow, has lived to battle the Dark Side again. So in this possible climax to the season, will Denver’s young leader use his cosmic powers to destroy the Death Star (Gillette Stadium)?
Last week, Pittsburgh made the mistake of assuming the Denver quarterback couldn’t make the big throws down the field. They thought he was a one-dimensional running threat who could be contained with a modest scheme. But John Fox trusted his QB’s arm and unleashed him. Here is a “Star Wars”-inspired scene before that game where our hero Tim was training with Obi-Won Fox and Han Elway, an old gunslinger who has never been a true believer in this type of gimmicky football.
[Tim is training with his throwing arm aboard the Millennium Bronco.]
Fox: Remember, a professional option quarterback can feel the Tebow flowing through him.
Tim: You mean it controls your actions?
Fox: Partially, but it also obeys your commands.
[Tim gets sacked.]
Elway: [laughs] Hokey religions and college football weapons are no match for a good pro-style quarterback at your side, kid.
Tim: You don’t believe in the Tebow, do you?
Elway: Kid, I’ve flown from one side of this NFL to the other. I’ve seen a lot of strange stuff, but I’ve never seen anything to make me believe there’s one all-powerful Tebow that can make a team win. There was no mystical energy field that controlled my team’s destiny. Anyway, it’s all a lot of simple tricks and nonsense.
Fox: I suggest you try it again, Tim. Only this time, let go of your desire to run and act on instinct.
Tim: But with the run game down, I can’t even move the ball! How am I supposed to fight?
Fox: Your legs can deceive you. Don’t trust them. Stretch out the field with your arm! [Watches Tim complete a long pass] You see? You can do it.
Elway: I call it luck.
Fox: In my experience, there is no such thing as luck.
This is a valid question: Was Tebow just lucky in his defeat of the Steelers, which was sealed on an inexplicable 80-yard overtime bomb to Demaryius Thomas? Can it be repeated? Luck or not, they showed the Patriots their cards, and Bill Belichick certainly won’t make the same miscalculation as Mike Tomlin. And this is key, as this game will come down to whether or not the Denver offense can exploit a vulnerable (OK, lousy) New England defense. No matter how underrated rookie Von Miller and the Denver defense is, you know the Patriots will score points, probably 25 to 55, depending on their mood that day and wind conditions. It is very likely this saga will end with Tebow doubled-over on the ground, while Emperor Belichick shoots lightning into him and tackles.
Another quick scene:
Emperor Belichick: Young fool. Only now, at the end, do you understand. [Shoots another bolt of lightning into Tim] Your feeble skills are no match for the power of the Dark Side! You have paid the price for your lack of throwing ability! [Continues shooting lightning at Tim]
But then Darth Brady realizes he believes in Tebow and picks up Belichick and throws him down a reactor shaft, and all the Broncos celebrate with a dance party with the Ewoks who joyously play the drums on old Patriot helmets. … OK, that might not happen. And it’s a pity, because a complete New England implosion is probably the Broncos’ only hope of winning. Still, the last contest should have been closer (New England recovered three fumbles that changed the game), so I will take the points and not underestimate the power of Tebow. – GF
