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Come Fan with UsSunday, June 21, 2026

AFC Wild Card 2012: Tim Tebow Won’t Change Steelers Defense

The Denver Broncos set the 24/7 sports universe on fire after winning six straight games with Tim Tebow under center, running a modified form of the spread option that made the quarterback so successful at Florida under Urban Meyer. Since that winning streak, Denver has dropped three in a row, including a 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 in which Tebow went 6-of-22 passing for 60 yards and interception. Still, the Broncos have frustrated unprepared defense on occasion. The Pittsburgh Steelers, however, don't believe they have to change a thing on defense for Sunday's AFC Wild Card game in Denver.

"We've been a solid defense around here for a long time," defensive end Brett Keisel said. "Regardless of who we're playing, we understand what we're capable of as a defense. If we all just do our job, we're pretty good."

The Steelers seemingly have a lot of faith in their defensive playmakers. They also have Dennis Dixon, who played in a spread offense at Oregon and mounted a legitimate Heisman campaign in 2007 before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. Though a different type of runner than Tebow, Dixon has reportedly been mimicking similar offensive plays in practice to prep the Steelers' defense.

The Steelers have done pretty well for themselves from the Wild Card spot, winning the Super Bowl in 2005 as a 6-seed, so it’s safe to say they know what they are doing. The Broncos, meanwhile, are 1-6 all time in Wild Card playoff games. They do hold an all-important home field advantage, however, not to mention whatever funky magic is still left in Tebow’s tank.

For more on Sunday’s game, head over to Broncos blog Mile High Report and Steelers blog Behind The Steel Curtain.

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