Without Gronk you lose the matchup advantage vs Denver and they can suffocate the short middle and Cincinnati already showed what they can do in the red zone when they don't have to defend Gronk.
Then there's what's likely Seattle.
While Seattle is probably the best team in the league right now, don't forget we won't see them until a cold winter night in an outdoor venue away from home. The Seahawks are a much different team on the road.
They would still be the favourites, but I like our chances in a winter wonderland against anyone. The question is if we can get there.
Yesterday, I was pretty defeated after the injury but there's still hope I suppose. Win out and that's the #2 seed. One Broncos slip-up would give us the #1 seed. Then again, we're probably more likely to drop one (@ Miami, @ Ravens) so who knows?
But we did put up 27 points in less than a half without Gronk against a top 10 defense yesterday. Granted, we needed every last second we could get. This offense is obviously not as potent without Gronk, but still dangerous enough to make some noise. And the run defense is much improved with Siliga in there. Of course the pass defense was atrocious but assuming Talib and Dennard get healthy in time for the play-offs, we could have a puncher's chance.
We'll be the heavy underdogs to everyone, but I will still watch the games until there's 0:00 on the clock. Tom Brady and BB have proven over the years that they cannot be counted out under any circumstances, and if you don't believe me, just ask the Saints/Broncos/Browns this year alone.