Foxborough - Arab Today
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots overpowered Indianapolis 45-7 to punch their ticket to the Super Bowl, where they'll face reigning NFL champions Seattle.
Superstar signal-caller Brady, in his ninth American Football Conference title game, reached the sixth Super Bowl of his career -- surpassing the five reached by John Elway.
Brady threw three touchdown passes and LeGarrette Blount rushed 30 times for 148 yards and three TDs Sunday as New England dominated the Colts at rainy Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots took charge early, taking a 14-point lead in the first quarter. They broke the Colts with three touchdowns in the third quarter and added another early in the fourth.
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck completed 12-of-33 passes for 126 yards and two interceptions, falling for the fourth time in four meetings with the Patriots.
The victory was New England coach Bill Belichick's 21st in the post-season, moving him past Pro Football Hall of Famer Tom Landry for the most all-time.
On February 1 in suburban Phoenix, Arizona, the Patriots will play in an eighth Super Bowl, tied with Dallas and Pittsburgh for the most appearances in the NFL's championship extravaganza.
New England have won three, after the 2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons. In the Seahawks, they'll be facing a team trying to be the first to repeat since the Patriots 10 years ago.
Seattle booked their berth by rallying to stun the Green Bay Packers 28-22 in overtime in the National Football Conference championship game.
Source: AFP