FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady silenced Tebowmania with a record-shattering performance.
Brady threw six touchdown passes, five in the first half, putting the New England Patriots into the AFC championship game after roughing up Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos 45-10 Saturday night.
The Patriots (14-3), winners of nine straight games, will host either Baltimore or Houston next Sunday for a spot in the Super Bowl. Saturday night’s romp snapped a three-game postseason losing streak, two of those at Gillette Stadium, and lifted the Patriots to the verge of their fifth Super Bowl appearance in 11 seasons. They’ve won three of those.
“We came in and started fast and it was a big win for us,” said Brady, who even got off a 48-yard punt on third down.
From the first snap, this was a mismatch. The Patriots were not going to make the same mistakes the Steelers made against this team.
“He’s been around the block a few times. He knows how to win games,” the Broncos’ Champ Bailey said of Brady. “If you’re not ready to punch him in the mouth he’s going to eat you up all night.”
A nation transfixed by Tebow’s play, if not his principles, tuned in Saturday to see if he had more heroics in store for Brady and company. He had nothing left as the Patriots made this must-see TV only for those who live in New England.
With New England up 42-7, the fans began their derisive Teeee-bow chants. On the next play, the Broncos quarterback was sacked for an 11-yard loss — one of five sacks for New England’s 31st-ranked defense.
“We went out and played very hard and good things happened,” defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. “A great team win.”
And so ended one of the season’s most exciting story lines — one that began when Denver was 1-4 and made Tebow a starter. The one-time third-stringer promptly won six in a row and seven of eight, with a string of stunning comebacks.
“I was really proud of what he showed and where he brought this football team,” coach John Fox said. ” We’re a work in progress.”
That surge ended with a 41-23 home loss to New England, and the Broncos dropped their next two, backing into the AFC West title.
But they rebounded nicely in their first playoff game since the 2005 season with the longest overtime touchdown in playoff history, an 80-yard catch and run by Demaryius Thomas against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Like everyone else on the Broncos’ offense, Thomas was invisible against the Patriots.
Denver couldn’t cover or tackle All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski, who tied a postseason mark with three touchdown catches, all in the opening half. Brady toyed with the Broncos (9-9), throwing more TD passes than Tebow had completions (three) in the first 30 minutes.
“We were playing complementary football, and it was awesome,” Gronkowski said. “Obviously, you can’t start off the game any better than that.”
Brady’s sixth TD was to his other tight end, Aaron Hernandez, as the quarterback tied Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica for the most in a postseason game.
The two-time league MVP threw for 5,235 yards during the season, second in NFL history to Drew Brees’ 5,476 in 2011. He looked ready to get that much against the Broncos as he moved to third place in career touchdown passes in the playoffs with 36, trailing Joe Montana (45) and Brett Favre (44).
Brady was 26 for 34 for 363 yards and Gronkowski made 10 catches for 145 yards as the Patriots gained 509 yards in all. In stark contrast, Tebow was 9 for 26 for 136 yards.
The Broncos won the coin toss and elected to defer. Bad idea: They never were in the game after that.
Brady hit his first eight passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who’s leaving to become Penn State’s coach once the Patriots are done, threw in a wrinkle by using Hernandez as a running back. On one of those plays, Hernandez broke free down the left sideline for a 43-yard gain, the team’s longest run this season.
But with the ball in his hands and a 14-0 lead, Brady momentarily stumbled. His throw over the middle for Julian Edelman sailed directly to safety Quinton Carter, whose weaving return set up Denver at the New England 24.
Willis McGahee scored on a 5-yard run.
Carter left the game moments later with a neck injury; Denver was already without strong safety Brian Dawkins with a neck problem. And it’s secondary had no chance without them.
Yes, Brady had cooled off in the 24-degree temperature (wind chill of 12), but only for a while.
Using the no-huddle, and aided by an effective running game, Brady hit three passes for 31 yards, with Gronkowski getting free over the middle this time for the 12-yard score. Several times, and not just on his romps into the end zone, Gronkowski simply shoved aside would-be tacklers to tack on yards after catches.
Brady’s TDs covered 10, 12 and 19 yards to Gronkowski, 7 to Wes Welker, 61 to Deion Branch and 17 yards to Hernandez early in the third quarter. Coach Bill Belichick wasn’t about to back off at that point, but thePatriots stalled inside the Denver 5 early in the four period and Stephen Gostkowski made a 21-yard field goal to conclude New England’s scoring.
Hernandez left in the fourth quarter with a head injury.
“He’s feeling great,” Gronkowski said. “Hernandez is a beast and I love playing with him and everything.”
On Brady’s surprise punt, which Belichick said they had worked on for years without using, Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller slammed into the back of New England’s Dan Connolly, who wasn’t looking. Matt Light then shoved Miller, Connolly turned around and got into a pushing match with Miller as several players joined in and shoved each other, spilling onto the Patriots’ sideline.
Miller drew an unnecessary roughness penalty.
Tebow is certainly no Tom Brady!!!!!
Outstanding game…..Go Pat’s!!
Great win for the Patriots, but Tim Tebow is still the one to be considered a role model for our children and grandchildren, and he is not TIMid about stating the Foundation for his life. He will not be drowning his loss via a beer, etc., and he would not celebrate a victory in that fashion. The loss will not effect his relationship with his Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, since he knows where the true winning is.
Why do you need someone else to be a role model for your kids? You should be their role model. That’s the problem with this country, everyone is looking for someone else to do their work.
Are you saying that kids who have good parents never ever look up to anyone except mommy and daddy? Really….. …. ? Doubtful. Good parents will be their kids’ role models, however, those same kids will absolutely look up to other people in their lives and in the media… especially entertainers and athletes….. Parents who actually recognize that (good parents) are hoping that someone in those industries will shine who exemplifies good values…… BTW, there’s nothing wrong with that…
That would be the day that I would want my kids to look up to someone who gets paid millions just to walk out on a field. Doesn’t matter if he wins or looses, he still gets paid the same. And you think he is a role model? I rest my case your honor.
That’s loser talk! I wonder why God would destroy his main man Tebow in such embarrassing fashion?
God didn’t destroy Tebow – the Pat’s D did…. God gave Tebow the gifting necessary to get to this point in his life – how he uses it and what happens from there will be a combination of many things…
I like Tim Tebow too, but whats wrong with beer?
No, he is not a role model. The bible warns not to pray in public but in a quiet place by yourself. Tebow’s ostentatious public praying is quite self serving and unchristian Additionally, it is just plain boorish not to thank the people that give one tremendous support in order to do extraordinary things. That would be his coaches and team mates.
well, I guess God is a patriots fan. Who knew?
Man if you want to see something funny, go to youtube and watch the Jimmy Fallon video about Tebow.
If you haven’t heard or seen Jimmy Fallon’s new hit song “Tebowie” yet Google it to see the video for a good chuckle. Here’s an excerpt of the lyrics.
Tim Tebow to Jesus Christ.
Commencing fourth-down hut, hut, hike.
Snap the football and may God’s love be with me.
Two, One, Touchdown.
This is Jesus Christ to Tim Tebow.
Please leave me alone.
Don’t you know my day of rest is Sunday.
And I’m sick of watching all these Bronco’s games!
I hear that you play New England next week.
Dude you’re on your own.
Brady is too good, and I’ve got better things to do.
DEFENCE DEFENCE DEFENCE.
Brady one word. Masterfull
It was a thumping of biblical proportion. The Broncos were crucified, but maybe they will be resurrected next season?
Denvers Offensive Plan seemed to be to run up the gut of the Pats Defense. After that was showed not to be viable I dont understand how Denver did not try to start a passing game. No deep routes from the recievers, no bump and run routes either. I just didnt get what Denver was trying to accomplish on offense.
That’s what happens when you have a QB who can’t pass. Once the Pats had 2 scores on them, it was over for the Broncos.
I guess Jesus was too busy with more important things then to intervene in a stupid football game. Sometimes prayers don’t come true. Give it up Tebow you are such a LOSER.
Why is Tebow a loser? Is it because he has faith? Is it because he chooses to thank his God for the opportunities in his life? Is it because of the way he demonstrates so much kindness off the field? As a die hard Pats fan, I can say Tim Tebow handled the loss with humility and grace and haters – like yourself – are just rididulous
Perhaps if Tebow had been extending his thanks more to his coaches and his team mates for their support in making those plays happen and less to a god that has more important business than a Pats game they might have won. It’s usually appropriate to thank the people that helped you get “stuff done”.
Tebow’s got nothin. Brady is a true GOD!
He’s a loser because he lost. It is what losers do.
Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That’s life and that is just how it goes. It all depends on how you play the game .
Tebow isn’t a loser. His a pretty good quarterback that’s made some amazing plays but kinda spoils the fun with his kneeling schtick. The people that are losers are those that have turned a rough and aggressive game into an irrational proof that God is on their side.
He is at best a mediocre QB, he has a QB rating of less than 75.
Tim who??