AP/ February 5, 2012, 9:10 PM

Brady sets Super Bowl mark in completions

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady reacts after passing to Danny Woodhead for a touchdown during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. / AP Photo/Paul Sancya

INDIANAPOLIS - Tom Brady has broken the Super Bowl record for consecutive completions previously held by his idol Joe Montana.

The Patriots quarterback threw his 16th straight completion with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Hernandez on the opening drive of the second half Sunday. That gave New England a 17-9 lead over the New York Giants with 11:20 left in the third quarter. Brady threw an incomplete pass with 6:12 to go in the third to end the streak.

Brady broke Montana's record of 13 set in 1990 on a 5-yard completion to Wes Welker on the fourth play of the 79-yard drive.

On the final drive of the first half, Brady completed all 10 passes for 98 yards capped by a 4-yard scoring throw to Danny Woodhead, giving the Patriots a 10-9 lead.