Tom Brady picks apart Tebow’s Broncos
Tom Brady put in a stunning display to see off rival quarterback Tim Tebow’s Denver Broncos and hand the New England Patriots a 45-10 play-off victory.
Tebow had been a revelation since being summoned from the ranks to act as the starter but he found himself convincingly outgunned by Brady, who threw five of his six touchdown passes in the first half.
Rob Gronkowski was the chief recipient of Brady’s excellence, pouching three touchdown catches and making 145 yards in the game.
Brady’s six TD throws were the joint most in a post-season game, tied with Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica, while his career total of 36 in play-offs places him third in the all-time list.
Tebow, meanwhile, was made to suffer as he gained just 136 yards to Brady’s 509.
Masterclass
Brady hit Wes Welker and Gronkowski for touchdowns from seven and 10 yards respectively in the first quarter to give the Patriots an early advantage.
The Broncos responded early in the second quarter with a five-yard Willis McGahee run into the end zone.
But Brady served up three unanwsered touchdowns before half-time, Deion Branch’s 61-yard effort sandwiching a pair of Gronkowski efforts.
Gronkowski’s fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez got in on the act in the third quarter as the match turned into a rout.
Matt Prater and Stephen Gostkowski exchanged field goals to complete the scoring at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots, for whom it was a first post-season win for four years, advance to play either the Baltimore Ravens or Houston Texans, for the AFC title next Sunday.
