2012 NFL Playoff Schedule: Patriots Have Smooth Path to Super Bowl XLVI

The New England Patriots ended Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos’ incredible postseason run last night.

Tom Brady threw for six touchdowns in a 45-10 win over the AFC West winners in a game that was never in question.

Before the referee even blew the halftime whistle, the Pats held a 35-7 lead and would not relent on defense, despite being one of the most suspect units in the playoffs.

As the No. 1 seed in the AFC, New England will be hosting the conference championship game against either Baltimore or Houston, who are set to do battle this evening.

The most incredible part of the victory was the Patriots’ ability to absolutely lock down Tebow and keep the game out of reach.

They played great defense and never allowed it to become close, which is how the Broncos won many games during the 2011-12 season. They won seven of eight games after installing Tebow as the starter and had many of incredible comebacks along the way.

If New England can continue to perform this well on defense, it’s not even a question that they will make it back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2008, when the New York Giants ruined their perfect season.

The Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens are both solid teams, but neither possesses the firepower on offense that would be required to overcome the Patriots.

Can you picture Joe Flacco or T.J. Yates putting up five touchdowns in the first 30 minutes of football?

Of course not.

And as good as their defenses are, they aren’t going to stop a motivated Brady and Belichick, who won their first postseason game since the AFC Championship in 2008.

It’s simply the Patriots’ year and they will find themselves in Indianapolis in February, playing whoever the NFC has to offer.