Without a healthy Gronk, we weren't winning today anyway. Not that should make you feel better.
But that's the reality. Brady's #'s with and without the beast were staggering. The offense runs much smoother with him - pass and run.
Who were the 2012 Patriots? They weren't title-ready, not without Gronk, and that's all there is to it. They lost to the Niners, Ravens (twice), and Seahawks - those teams were legit. They beat up on the Texans, Colts and the Broncos - none of those three teams were legit.
We did not beat the best teams we faced this year.
Let's face it - this team just wasn't ready, not without Gronkowski.
Next year, let's hope for better health, one more weapon on the offensive side, and one more body in the secondary, and I think we'll be ready.