Rob Gronkowski recorded 10 catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns.
The Patriots' defense was equally impressive. They held Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow to 9 of 26 passing for 136 yards and the Broncos team to 252 total yards.
2:35 4th quarter: Patriots 45, Broncos 10 -- Tom Brady had a 48-yard punt on third down (weird, right?) and then a rumble broke out with Denver's Von Miller in the middle of it. Multiple penalties on the play as the Broncos take over.
It was Brady's second career punt.
7:14 4th quarter: Patriots 45, Broncos 10 -- Tim Tebow completed his longest pass of the night, a 41-yarder to Demaryius Thomas that got some help from a spring block by Denver running back Lance Ball. But the drive fizzled as Tebow was unable to do anything from the Patriots 3-yard line, unable to complete four straight passes. Lots of pressure from LB Rob Ninkovich and DE Shaun Ellis on fourth down to force a turnover on downs.
12:39 4th quarter: Patriots 45, Broncos 10 -- Stephen Gostkowski kicked a 20-yard field goal as the Patriots pushed their lead back to 35 points.
The kick capped an 11-play, 78-yard drive that featured two big passes from Tom Brady to tight end Rob Gronkowski. One for 20 yards and another for 28 to get the Patriots into the red zone. After three meaningless rushes from the 4- or 2-yard line, the Patriots settled for a field goal.
End of 3d quarter: Patriots 42, Broncos 10 -- Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has surpassed the 100-yard mark in the game. By the end of the third quarter, he has nine catches for 117 yards and three touchdowns.
Tom Brady is an efficient 24 of 32 for 321 yards and six touchdowns.
2:19 3d quarter: Patriots 42, Broncos 10 -- Denver's Matt Prater kicked a 41-yard field goal to cap a 14-play, 58-yard drive by the Broncos that spanned 6:16.
Patriots DE Shaun Ellis recorded a big hit and sack on Tim Tebow, which got the quarterback fired up. He was seen yelling at his offensive line, and then at nobody, all at the same time.
Patriots LB Brandon Spikes also recorded a sack on the drive, getting the help of some pressure from DL Brandon Deadrick.
8:30 3d quarter: Patriots 42, Broncos 7 -- Patriots RB Stevan Ridley fumbled after catching a pass from Tom Brady. The ball was recovered by Broncos DT Marcus Thomas.
