The divisional showdown began with the spotlight on Denver's intriguing quarterback Tim Tebow but ended with it firmly focused on Brady and the Patriots, who await Sunday's winner between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens.

Brady provided Tebow with a quarterback master class, the twice Super Bowl most valuable player putting the game out of reach with a record-breaking opening half, setting a new mark with five touchdown passes, three of them to big tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Wes Welker, Deion Branch and Aaron Hernandez caught touchdown throws as Brady also equaled the NFL record for most touchdowns passes in a playoff game shared by Oakland Raiders Daryle Lamonica (1969) and San Francisco 49ers Steve Young (1994).

(Editing by Patrick Johnston)