The Denver Broncos are hopeful that they will have the services of their spiritual leader on defense for their first playoff game in six years. But safety Brian Dawkins again sat out practice yesterday with the same neck injury that has kept him out of all or part of the final four regular season games. The team continues to list Dawkins as day-to-day. Dawkins’ presence would be a major boost to a defense that will have added pressure on them in Sunday’s AFC Wild Card matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of the recent struggles of the team’s offense. After nine weeks of mostly turnover-free football, quarterback Tim Tebow has thrown five interceptions and lost a fumble in the last two weeks. The Broncos will be hosting their first playoff game since the 2005 AFC Championship Game on Sunday afternoon.