Gronkowski's 2 TDs help Pats beat Chiefs 34-3
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP)
Rob Gronkowski should be used to catching touchdown passes by now.
He already has 20 of them in less time than any tight end in NFL
history, needing just 26 games. But there are moments when he has to
remind himself how good he became so quickly.
''It's still a dream come true being in the NFL,'' Gronkowski said.
''Some days I'll wake up, I talk to Dane (Fletcher), my roommate, and
we're like, `Dude, we're in the NFL.' It's crazy still. We still can't
kind of believe it.''
His production in just two NFL seasons is hard to believe. He added to
it Monday night, catching two touchdown passes from Tom Brady as the
New England Patriots overcame a sluggish start and beat the Kansas City Chiefs 34-3.
Gronkowski surpassed Mike Ditka's mark of 31 for the fewest games
needed by a tight end to reach 20 touchdowns. He also pulled within
three of the single-season, tight end record of 13 touchdown receptions
held by Antonio Gates of San Diego and Vernon Davis of San Francisco.
''Everyone's doing their job and I just happen to be an open guy and
Tom hits me in the end zone,'' Gronkowski said.
That's not all the 6-foot-6, 265-pound powerhouse does.
''He catches the ball great,'' Brady said. ''He's tough. He runs well.
He blocks. He really does everything you ask a tight end to do. He's
dangerous out there.''
Kansas City struggled offensively, not a big surprise with Tyler Palko
making his first pro start after throwing just 13 passes in two
seasons. He replaced Matt Cassel, who is out for the season with an
injured right throwing hand. Palko completed 25 of 38 passes for 236
yards and three interceptions, two of which were tipped.
''All in all, I felt pretty confident,'' Palko said. ''Obviously,
there's a few things I'd like to have back.''
Kyle Arrington got two of the interceptions, increasing his NFL-leading
total to seven.
''Turnovers and points off turnovers, that decides a game a lot in most
cases,'' he said.
 |
| New
England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski #87 scores a touchdown in
the first half against the Kansas City
Chiefs at Gillette Stadium Nov.
21, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) |
The Patriots also got a big play on special teams as Julian Edelman
returned a punt 72 yards for another score, putting New England ahead
24-3 with 9:24 left in the third quarter.
The Patriots (7-3) increased their AFC East lead to two games.
The Chiefs (4-6) lost their third straight and didn't score after Ryan
Succop's 26-yard field goal gave them a 3-0 lead with 1:30 left in the
first quarter.
''He did a fairly good job in the huddle,'' wide receiver Steve Breaston said of Palko. ''He did a great job executing the plays. We
just have to help him out.''
With Gronkowski collecting his ninth and 10th TD receptions of the
season, the Patriots had their second straight dominant game after
beating the New York Jets 37-16.
Brady was under pressure early, but the protection improved. After
throwing for just 19 yards in the first quarter, he led the Patriots on
three consecutive scoring drives.
He connected with Gronkowski for a 52-yard score when the tight end
caught the ball over the middle and scampered the last 35 yards, barely
managing to remain inbounds on the right side.
''When I get the ball, you just don't want to go down,'' he said.
''You've got to try and do something with the ball. That's why you get
it.''
Arrington got his first interception on Kansas City's next series and
Stephen Gostkowski made it 10-3 at halftime with a 21-yard field goal.
''We were still fighting and we knew it was a close game going into
halftime,'' Chiefs safety Kendrick Lewis said. ''They got a big play
and a big score (Gronkowski's second touchdown) in the second half and
that started their rally.''
The Patriots got the ball to start the third quarter and went 85 yards
on nine plays, scoring on Brady's 19-yard pass to Gronkowski, who went
head over heels, landing on his neck in the right corner of the end
zone for a 17-3 lead.
''He's a great football player,'' Patriots guard Brian Waters said.
''It doesn't surprise me for him to be able to bounce up.''
Arrington picked off another pass on the Chiefs' next possession,
leading to a 19-yard field goal by Gostkowski.
And just when it looked as if Palko, who had thrown just 13 passes
before Monday night, might direct his team to a touchdown, he threw an
interception to Phillip Adams in the end zone with 10:50 left in the
game.
The Patriots held the Chiefs without a touchdown despite missing three
key injured starters - linebacker Brandon Spikes, safety Patrick Chung
and cornerback Devin McCourty.
''Every week we are going to go into practice and work hard,'' Adams
said, ''regardless if (teams) are going to give us respect or not.''
The Patriots finished the scoring on rookie Shane Vereen's first NFL
touchdown on a 4-yard run with 1:01 left.
Notes: Gronkowski's 52-yard reception was the longest of his career.
... The Chiefs tried an onside kick after Succop's field goal but were
called for touching the ball before it went 10 yards. ... Wes Welker
extended his streak to 88 games with at least one catch. His first
reception didn't come until six minutes remained in the game and he
finished with two.
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