For the Steelers, Tim Tebow’s success on Sunday was a nightmare. For the NFL, it was a dream come true. The AFC Wild Card game on Sunday evening was the most watched television show since last season’s Superbowl. Why? Because of a mediocre quarterback’s ability to silence the haters…. momentarily.

If you read our blog on Sunday morning, we told you that the Broncos, 8 point underdogs at home against a banged up Steelers team, had the perfect match-up. The Steelers were without key players and were banged up at key positions. The Steelers put 8 defenders in the box and, didn’t dare Tebow to throw the ball down-field but, FORCED Tebow to throw the ball down the field. When you have a depleted secondary, it doesn’t seem logical to put less guys back there. Tebow lit them up with the deep pass.

The excitement behind Tebow stems from the general consensus he can’t be a successful NFL quarterback. He has faced back-up quarterbacks, teams on super short weeks, and teams riddled with injuries. Everyone said the end of his run would be against the Steelers, but Timmy Rah Rah did it. He beat the Steelers that no one thought he would beat. But, it’s not about how fast you get there. It’s not about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb, and Tebow has had one of the most captivating climbs to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs that we have ever seen.

The captivating nature of Tebow doesn’t come from people’s love for him or people’s disdain for him. It comes from the absence of any middle ground. No one is “eh” on Tebow. If you ask anyone about him, you will get an emotional answer. If you hold a conversation about him, it won’t be over quickly.

Tim Tebow is a polarizing athlete comparable to Tiger Woods and Brett Favre for one simple reason: if he’s playing, everyone’s watching. He doesn’t have to win Superbowls. Of course, if he always loses, he’ll drop out of the league and be forgotten. But, what Timmy does is prove people wrong. He has enough lows to fuel the doubters, but enough highs to prove the doubters wrong. He struggles for 3 quarters, only to pull it out in the 4th in grand fashion. He’s human, but he’s capable of greatness. He’s the ultimate underdog and, if he’s not breaking records on the football field, he’ll at least be breaking records on the television. Patriots/Broncos – Love or hate, you’ll be watching….

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The struggling Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals renew their rivalry tonight in D.C. on the Versus NBC Sports Network at 7:30. The Penguins are coming off 5 straight losses and have a tough task ahead of them to avoid a 6th. The Capitals have won 4 straight home games in the Verizon Center and, despite two recent road losses, have seemed to find a groove.

The Capitals find themselves out of the playoffs in the current standings and have struggled defensively, allowing 3 goals a a game for 23rd in the league. Nicklas Backstrom, the team’s leader in assists, was placed on IR (head) and will not play tonight versus Pittsburgh. Star Defenseman Mike Green, nursing a groin injury, is expected to play tonight after sitting out against the Kings. The Capitals need Backstrom and Green on the ice if they want to rattle off a string of victories.

The Capitals also need Ovechkin to return to the Ovechkin of old. After 65 goals in 2008, he has declined each year since, scoring 56, 50, and 32 in consecutive seasons. Is his stardom a thing of the past, or have the Capitals lost chemistry? “Ovie” had 5 goals in Washington’s most recent win streak, so it’s pretty clear that having Green and Backstrom on the ice is good for him.

Sidney Crosby has skated in 8 games this year and his head problems bring him dangerously close to a career ending collision. Crosby hasn’t been the only player missing for Pittsburgh, as the Penguins have been decimated by injuries. Defender Paul Martin probably won’t play tonight, but winger Craig Adams is expected to put on his gear.

The rivalry has been overshadowed by each team’s struggles, but you will still witness a hell of a game tonight, either way. The atmosphere is electric in the Verizon Center with the sea of red giving the Capitals a huge home-ice advantage. If Green hits the ice tonight, I see Washington pulling this one out. They have been excellent at home and Pittsburgh is in free-fall. Also, after dropping out, a win would put the Capitals back in the the top 8. Both teams have a lot to play for, so this will be a good watch.

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