It didn't take long tonight to figure out that the Denver Broncos weren't going to put up much of a fight against the New England Patriots, who looked sharp after their bye week.
In an AFC Divisional Round game at frigid Gillette Stadium, the Pats (14-3) jumped out to a 35-7 halftime lead and rolled to a 45-10 win.
New England's first playoff win since 2009 (technically the 2008 season) vaulted them into the AFC Championship game next Sunday, 3 p.m. at Gillette against the winner of tomorrow's Houston at Baltimore matchup.
Despite all of the attention on Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (9 of 26, 136 passing yards, 0 TDs, 0 INTs; 13 yards rushing) coming into this divisional round game, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (26 of 34, 363 passing yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT) showed that any comparisons between the two are laughable.
Brady's six touchdowns tied an NFL record while tight end Rob Gronkowski (10 catches, 145 yards) also tied a postseason record with three touchdown catches.
The limitations in Tebow's ability to throw intermediate routes and Denver's refusal to open up the playbook basically guaranteed that the Broncos were just happy to be here. They shocked Pittsburgh last week, which was a huge break for the Patriots, but they were an overmatched team in every sense of the word tonight.
Deion Branch (3 catches, 85 yards), Wes Welker (6 catches, 55 yards) and Aaron Hernandez (4 catches, 55 yards; 5 carries, 61 yards) each had a touchdown catch from Brady.
After getting gashed in the first quarter against Denver in December by their running game, New England's defense tightened it up and only allowed 144 yards on 40 carries (3.6 yards per rush). The Patriots recorded 5.5 sacks, including a couple kill shots on Tebow, who lacks much pocket presence or awareness.
Oddly enough, turnovers weren't a factor at all in the game since Brady had an interception and Stevan Ridley had a fumble. Denver only had one turnover, a fumble by Tebow that was caused by Dane Fletcher and recovered by Brandon Spikes.
For once the Patriots chose to receive the opening kickoff and the move paid off since Welker scored on a 7-yard touchdown catch less than two minutes into the drive.
Gronk scored his first touchdown in the first quarter, a 10-yard grab.
Willis McGahee (17 carries, 76 yards) got the Broncos on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run to start the second quarter but that's as close as Denver would get.
Once again, Denver failed to account for Gronkowski in the red zone as he caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Brady. Even more pathetic, the Broncos allowed two touchdowns in the last two minutes of the half.
Branch tightroped down the sideline for a 61-yard touchdown catch and then Gronk caught a 19-yard touchdown with five seconds left in the half.
The second half got so pathetic that I hoped for running time. A bunch of Broncos got hurt which only prolonged the agony for them.
Hernandez had the final Patriots touchdown, a 17-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.
Denver elected to kick a 41-yard field goal by Matt Prater when they were down 42-7 later in the third.
Stephen Gostkowski needed some work too so he was called on for a 20-yard chip shot in the fourth quarter.
The most interesting play in the fourth quarter was in garbage time when Broncos rookie linebacker Von Miller decided to take a cheap shot against Dan Connolly on a punt return. It sparked a rare football brawl on the sideline.
This game couldn't have worked out any better for New England. They avoided the Steelers, a team that they probably would have beaten but at least would have been much tougher than the Broncos. This win gives them plenty of confidence after two brutal losses the past few seasons in the playoffs, both at home.
Clearly, we're all rooting for the Texans tomorrow to upset the Ravens. With Baltimore's defense plus Ray Rice, they present many more challenges for the Patriots. Houston has a good defense and Arian Foster but I feel like the Pats could stack the line and make the immortal T.J. Yates beat them (unlikely).
Regardless, we should all be very happy at the moment. The Patriots are in the AFC Championship Game and regardless of who they face, they will be favored. Win once more at home and they'll be in the Super Bowl for the fifth time in the last 11 seasons.
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