Gronkowski's Performance a Reminder of What the Patriots Have Been Missing in the Postseason

It's been a long time since Rob Gronkowski entered the postseason completely healthy, and Saturday night's win over the Ravens was a big example of just how much the veteran tight end means to the offense.

Gronkowski had a strong performance, finishing with 7 receptions for 108 yards along with a touchdown against Baltimore, and after the Patriots got down by 14 early in the first quarter it was Gronkowski who helped kick things into gear. After catching a 16 yard reception to get New England out to the 40 yard line on their second possession, Brady hit Gronkowski on a perfectly thrown ball down the seam that went for 46-yards, setting New England up with a first and ten at the Ravens 14-yard line.

Rob Gronkowski had a strong performance against the Ravens on Saturday.
(USA TODAY Images)

Four plays later Tom Brady took the ball in on his own for the touchdown, and just like that, the Patriots were back in the game trailing by seven at 14-7.

Later in the second quarter Gronkowski came up for a second time, hauling in a 23-yard reception that, once again, got the Patriots into Ravens territory. Five plays later Brady and Danny Amendola connected for a 15-yard touchdown, and suddenly the 14 point advantage was gone for the Ravens with the game knotted at 14-14.

The Ravens went up 14 again in the third quarter after the Patriots failed to get anything going on their opening drive, with Joe Flacco connecting with Justin Forsett for a 16-yard touchdown on the ensuing possession. However, it wouldn't last long. Brady immediately lead them on a 9 play, 80 yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown to Gronkowski to pull New England within seven. That touchdown pass also put Gronkowski over 100 yards on the afternoon, the second time he had done that during the postseason in his career. The last time was back on January 14th, 2012 during the team's blowout win over the Broncos where Gronkowski caught 10 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns.

Gronkowski's been absent during the team's previous two postseason runs, lasting just minutes into their Divisional match-up against Houston two years ago after re-breaking his forearm, followed by last season's knee injury against the Browns that cost him his season.

This time around, he's healthy and playing at what could arguably considered an MVP level, and Saturday's Divisonal win over the Ravens was a big example of how much he means to this football team. Gronkowski's presence on the field made a difference, and you could clearly see the Ravens trying to account for where he was. They took advantage of that in the second half, and the Patriots put together an effective plan to help open up opportunities for other players. Julian Edelman (8 receptions, 74 yards), Danny Amendola (5 receptions, 81 yards, 2 touchdowns), Brandon LaFell (5 catches, 62 yards, 1 touchdown), Michael Hoomanawanui (4 catches, 43 yards) and Shane Vereen (4 catches, 39 yards) all had productive afternoons, largely in part thanks to having Gronkowski out there.

It ended up being a fight to the finish and it's hard to imagine this game turning out the same way had they not had the veteran tight end on the field. Fortunately he's back, and after the game Gronkowski told reporters he was just pleased the team stayed together despite being behind for most of the game.

"We just stuck together as a team and took it one play at a time," said Gronkowski. "We knew we couldn't put up two touchdowns in one play so we just stuck together, got first downs, and we came through. [Our] defense played well, stuck together, and executed, as well as on offense."

And now they're moving on.