The 9-3 New England Patriots traveled to Washington to take on the struggling 4-8 Redskins, and the Redskins gave them all they could handle. In the end, the difference maker was second year tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught 2 TD passes and set a record in the process.
Gronkowski broke the single season record for touchdown receptions by a tight end, catching 2 more on Sunday to bring his season total up to 15. Gronkowski entered the game with 65 receptions for 928 yards at 13 TDs this season, and added another 6 receptions for 160 yards and 2 TDs to his totals today.
The old record was 13, held by the Chargers Antonio Gates (2004) and the 49ers Vernon Davis (2009).
Still the Redskins battled back all day against the patchwork New England defense, behind the play of rookie RB Roy Helu, who had 26 carries for 126 yards capping his third consecutive 100-yard rushing day. Rex Grossman also had a solid day, completing 19 of 32 passes for 252 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT.
The Redskins were game and answered New England score for score, tying the game at 27-27 midway through the third quarter on a 6-yard TD pass from Grossman to David Anderson.
But in the end, there was too much Tom Brady, Wes Welker and Gronkowski, as the Patriots took the lead for good later in the third quarter on a 24-yard TD pass from Brady to Welker. Welker added 7 catches for 86 yards and 1 TD and Brady had a characteristic exceptional day, completing 22 of 37 passes for 357 yards and 3 TDs with 1 INT.
The Patriots advanced their record to 10-3 to keep pace with the leaders in the AFC. The Steelers, Ravens and Texans all share the best record at 10-3, and it could be a narrow difference between the number 1 seed and the number 4 seed in the AFC.
