Well, after declaring false prophecy last week when I picked Pittsburgh to dispose of Tim Tebow and the Broncos, I was not expecting to be blindsided by a tsunami of unparalleled hype. However, when I read the news Thursday morning that an ESPN poll rates Tim Tebow as the most popular athlete in the U.S., I — apparently unlike a lot of people — experienced acute disgust at yet another Tebow headline. But this was far worse. As Charles Barkley so eloquently states, this is more than just turrible, it’s a national nightmare.

After my stomach had settled down somewhat from rage-induced vomiting, I became perplexed at how all of this is even possible. Then a “light bulb moment” struck me. I realized that Americans, as a whole, have the absolute worst taste in just about everything imaginable. We are a nation that loves the taste of McDonald’s. We lap up sequel after sequel of horrible movies faster than Hollywood can rip them off and spew them out. Almost half of us voted George W. Bush into office in 2000 and more than half re-elected the buffoon to a second term.

Perhaps our greatest detriment as a society at large is an unfounded infatuation with pre-pubescent bubble gum pop music. That’s when it hit me. I realized that Tim Tebow is the Justin Bieber of sports.

This realization did not settle my stomach any, but it has allowed me to make sense of the Tebow phenomenon unlike anything else before.

The official litmus test for the Bieber-Tebow connection:

• Both are portrayed (or portray themselves) as squeaky-clean choir boys. And while I cannot confirm this, I am pretty sure both wear purity rings.

• Both have half-decent footwork and moves…for white boys.

• Females and casual fans alike, who typically know nothing (or care) about performance in either profession, inexplicably fawn over them.

• Neither were born in America (yet somehow, Americans still love them).

• Parents say they are good role models. In fact, many will likely pull their children out of school to begin vocal and dance training in hopes of becoming the next Bieber, or enlist their young in regimens of simultaneous weightlifting exercise, Pop Warner football, and bible study to become like Mr. Tebow overnight.

• Most importantly, there is no middle ground–you either love them or hate them. Not because of what they do onstage or on the field, but because of their constant invasion into our daily lives.

Granted, it’s not entirely their fault. The blame lies with the media, who never hesitates to shove their cash cows in our face at every possible opportunity and laughing all the way to the bank.

Hopefully, for the sake of whatever is left of our nation’s bloated, blackened soul, their meteoric surge into the consciousness of every American man, woman and child  dissipates as fast as the phenomenon gave rise, and the “next big thing” is thrust upon us. Sadly, I don’t think either Bieber or Tebow is going away anytime soon, so I’m left to rant on a blog that nobody reads. But alas…

For those of you who actually care about football and made it to this point without closing the tab to go read another freakin’ story about Tim Tebow, here are my predictions for this weekend’s games.

Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots

After finding myself having to cheer for Pittsburgh in a most unnatural fashion, I wondered whether pulling for a team I really dislike (moreso than even Denver) is really worth it if only to hope for the demise of the Great White Hype in Denver. Well, I nearly relented this week because I cannot bring myself to root for New England–or any other team from Boston–ever. Then somebody was voted Mr. Popular, setting the stage for what will surely be a sloppy one-way love fest on Saturday night when the American media has their next chance to shove Tebow down their–and our–throats.

Rather than pulling for a hilarious Pats meltdown featuring Tom Brady screaming at his offensive coordinator and another appearance of the Bill Belichick Mad Face, I have no choice but to hope and pray that the Broncos are beaten by any means necessary, because…I. Cannot. Take. Any. More.

Prediction: Patriots spot Bieber and the Broncos two touchdowns, then throttle the Donkeys. Patriots win 42-14. And we’ll still hear how great Tebow is…

New Orleans Saints vs. San Francisco 49ers

This is the game I am most excited to watch. I have loved the San Francisco 49ers for as long as I remember watching football. I really like the New Orleans Saints, having spent a couple of years living in the Crescent City. I’m not going to bother breaking this down too much. We’ll hear about San Fran’s inability to score touchdowns in the red zone, which is an accurate assessment. However, to beat the Saints, the offensive game plan will have to allow Alex Smith to play more aggressively against a mediocre New Orleans defense, which is a dicey proposition. Yes, I’m torn, but I will be wearing my Joe Montana jersey and hoping to see the Niners register their first playoff win in almost a decade.

Prediction: SF controls the Saints running game, forcing Brees to attempt over 40 passes. Niners capitalize on a turnover and take down Drew Brees and the Saints. 49ers, 27-21.

Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens

Houston looked quite impressive last week, but then again, they beat a Cincinnati team that proved they don’t belong in the playoffs. Going into a rocking M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore will be too much for the Texans to endure. The Ravens will shut down the running game of Houston and rookie T.J. Yates will crumble in one of the toughest environments to play. Flacco won’t impress, but he’ll do enough to advance Baltimore to the conference championship.

Prediction: Ravens win 24-6.

New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers

Rounding out the weekend’s contests is what might be one of the better match ups. Ah, what can I say at this point in the article. How about: the Green Bay Packers have to be the most underrated, least-mentioned team to go 15-1 in dominating fashion. Why is that? Oh yeah, because Tim Tebow is god incarnate.

Prediction: Giants will keep it close early on, but Green Bay pulls away in the second half to a victory. Packers win 31-17.
Final prediction: Tim Tebow coverage will be smattered all over ESPN, FOX, CBS, NBC, NFL Network, CBN, and CNN throughout the entire weekend–win or lose. Double or nothing says he’s on the Republican ticket as Vice Presidential candidate.