Foxboro, MA – He may be just 22 years young, but Rob Gronkowski is fast becoming the best tight end in the NFL, if he's not already.
Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes and ran for another score, as the New England Patriots beat the lowly Indianapolis Colts, 31-24, at Gillette Stadium.
The 2010 second-rounder tied Vernon Davis (2009) and Antonio Gates (2004) for the league's single-season record for receiving touchdowns at his position with 13.
Gronkowski appeared to surpass the mark in the third quarter when he caught a pass from Tom Brady in the right flat and raced into the end zone from the Indianapolis two-yard line to put New England up 31-3. However, the play wound up being a rushing TD for Gronkowski after it was changed to a lateral.
Brady had 293 yards on 29-of-38 passing for AFC-East leading New England (9-3), while Wes Welker had 11 receptions for 114 yards.
Making his first start since December 28, 2008 with Detroit, Dan Orlovsky connected on 30-of-37 throws for 353 yards with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes and an interception for the Colts, who dropped to 0-12 for the first time since 1986, when they lost their first 13 games.
