New England Patriots: Ranking the Pats Divisional Round Wins Since 2001

#10. January 14, 2012 New England Patriots 45 Denver Broncos 10

One could argue that this was one of the most lopsided postseason match-ups in NFL history, and the Patriots left little doubt. Facing an 8-8 Broncos team led by Tim Tebow during the height of ‘Tebowmania”, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tied a playoff record with six touchdown passes, three of which when to tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Tebow made national headlines the week prior with his improbable win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wildcard Round the week before, but his magical season season would run out of steam in Foxborough. The Patriots sacked Tebow five times and by halftime, he had fewer completions (3) than Brady had touchdowns (5).

The Patriots would go on to face the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game the following week and win 23-20 on kicker Billy Cundiff‘s missed FG attempt, which would have sent the game to overtime.

For the Tebow and the Broncos, an overhaul awaited them in the offseason. Tebow was shipped off to the New York Jets while the Broncos acquired Patriots and Tom Brady rival Peyton Manning after his release by the Indianapolis Colts. To date, this is Tebow’s most restart start in the NFL.