 Gronkowski continues establishing himself as one of the best in the game. (USA TODAY Images) |
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady leaned pretty heavily on Rob Gronkowski in San Diego on Sunday night, and after his performance the veteran tight end is closing in on another 1,000 yard season.
He finished Sunday night having been targeted 11-times by Brady against the Chargers, with 8 receptions for 82-yards on a night where every play counted against a tough San Diego defense. That gives him 73 receptions on the season, trailing Julian Edelman who currently has 85.
He has 997 yards receiving, putting him just three yards away from the 1000-yard mark on the year. After his 14-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, the veteran also has 10 touchdowns on the season which set a team record for the Patriots and it's now the most of any player with 10 plus touchdowns in team history as it's the fourth time he's done it, moving him ahead of Randy Moss and Corey Dillon, who each had three.
He's also the first tight end in the NFL to ever record 10 or more touchdown receptions in four separate seasons.
It was a terrific night overall for a team that battled hard, and is now 10-3 on the season as they get set to come home to face the Dolphins.
"We battled and I knew it was going to take 60 minutes," said Tom Brady after the game. "This team has been in more close games than anyone else in the league and they fought hard. It was a physical game and it is great to come out with a win. It's always tough winning on the road, especially against a team that's 8-4, so it was a big win."
It's been a terrific season for Gronkowski, who after a slow start has settled in and appears to be at the top of his game as he continues marching his way up the NFL record books. Not bad for a player who at just 25-years old still has plenty of football left in front of him.
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