The master outplayed the apprentice as the New England Patriots ran out convincing winners over the Denver Broncos to book an AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow was hyped up in the football betting before the game but it was Tom Brady who stole the show in the 45-10 playoff victory at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. The experienced quarterback threw for 509 yards and six touchdowns as he equalled the record for most touchdowns in a post-season game. Rob Gronkowski was the main beneficiary with three touchdown catches and 145 yards.
Five of Brady’s six touchdown passes came in the first half. He hit Wes Welker and Gronkowski for touchdowns in the first quarter to give the Patriots an early advantage.
The Broncos responded early in the second quarter through a Willis McGahee touchdown. However, Brady inspired three unanswered touchdowns before halftime – Gronkowski scoring his second and third of the game either side of Deion Branch's 61-yard effort. The Patriots went into the break with an unassailable 35-7 lead.
Aaron Hernandez scored in the third quarter as the New England threatened to run riot. The scoring was completed when Matt Prater and Stephen Gostkowski exchanged field goals.
It was a sobering experience for Tebow, who had been a revelation for the Broncos on their run to the play-offs and there was a flood of NFL bets hoping for a fairytale ending. However, Tebow gained just 136 yards to Brady's 509.
The Patriots take on the Ravens for the AFC title on January 22 and a place in the Super Bowl finale against either the New York Giants or San Francisco 49ers.
With Brady in this kind of form, you wouldn’t back against the Patriots lifting the Super Bowl for the first time since 2004.
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