The Pittsburgh Steelers were old, slow and injured, which explains why they were evicted from the NFL playoffs by quarterback Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos last week.

At least that’s what so many talking heads on ESPN, not to mention forlorn Steeler fans, would have you believe.

So expect the excuse machine to be working overtime later tonight if Tebow somehow orchestrates a win on the road against three-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots.

I can hear it now. Oh, the Patriots are pathetic on defense; they can’t stop anybody. Belichick has lost his touch, can’t win a playoff game. Tom Brady had a hangnail that made it difficult to grip the football, let alone deliver it accurately. It’s as if nobody can believe it when Tebow beats them, which only adds to the fun when he does, even if you’re not a dyed-in-the-wool Broncos fan.

There’s no question I’m rooting for it to happen at least once more, and if it doesn’t, let’s not forget this will have been only Tebow’s 15th NFL start and already he will have a playoff win to his credit.

To put that in perspective, John Elway, who runs the Broncos and might be the best quarterback ever to enter a huddle, didn’t win in the postseason until his fourth year, when he eviscerated the Browns on the way to the Super Bowl.

Tebow’s doing OK, elongated throwing motion and all, for a guy ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper and others thought would be nothing more than an H-back (does anyone still even use those?) coming out of college.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2408 or smcclelland @DaytonDailyNews.com.