NFL: New England 36, Chicago 7

CHICAGO, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Tom Brady connected on a pair touchdown passes during a big first half Sunday, propelling the New England Patriots to a 36-7 rout of Chicago.

Brady ignored the snow and wind at Soldier Field to hit Rob Gronhowski for a 7-yard scoring strike early in the game, then capped off a 26-point second quarter with a 59-yard TD bomb to Deion Branch as the Patriots (11-2) clinched a playoff berth.

Brady finished 27-of-40 for 369 yards and wasn't intercepted in the dominating performance.

Branch made eight grabs for 151 yards and Wes Welker also hauled in eight passes for 115 yards in the win.

Jay Cutler was held to 12-of-26 through the air for 152 yards for the Bears (9-4), who maintained their lead in the NFC Central despite the one-sided home loss.