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Patriots Gridiron News 10/17: Rob Gronkowski Runs Wild on Bengals

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Oct 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski set a career-high in reception yards in Sunday’s 35-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

If there was any question about the health of Rob Gronkowski, that was put to rest Sunday.  In a 35-17 rout, the New England Patriots tight end was hitting on all cylinders both physically and emotionally.

With the offense struggling to get anything started during the majority of the first half, Tom Brady got things rolling last in the second quarter.  His primary targets were a combination of running back James White and his two tight ends.  Gronkowski really turned things loose in the second half of the game.  He scored his first touchdown of the season on a nice pass from Brady in the red zone.

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Following a couple of more big catches, Gronkowski created some fireworks emotionally.  With 8:14 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Patriots driving, Gronkowski made a 12-yard catch over the middle and picked up a taunting penalty.  The big tight end seemed to be reacting to Bengals players going low on him.

In any event, Gronkowski knew he should’ve just let his play on the field do the talking and took full responsibility for engaging in the heated back and fourth between the two teams.

"“I have to take full responsibility on that personal foul; can’t be letting that happen,” Gronkowski said after the game. “It’s a good thing it didn’t hurt the team in this situation. We still got the win. But down the road, it can always hurt the team, getting a personal foul. I definitely have to be more aware of that.”"

On the play before that, he made a 29-yard catch in which he powered over Bengals cornerback Adam Jones, Gronk threw some words towards Jones and then butted heads with Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict.

In all, Gronkowski ended the day with a career-high 162 receiving yards and a touchdown.  With his play on Sunday, he proved that he is just about back to being the unstoppable force Brady has at his disposal.

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Eric Rowe: Newly acquired Patriots cornerback Eric Rowe saw his first action on Sunday.  Rowe came in to defend Bengals All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Green and did a pretty good job.  Not only did he limit Green, he broke up a big pass in the end zone.  Rowe called his play against the elite receiver as a “confidence-booster” and then explained his approach to the red zone play.

"“The key is you’ve got to get a jam on them,” Rowe said via nesn.com. “I make sure each time I was lined up with him, get a hand on his chest because I don’t want a free release. That makes my down tougher. It’s then playing the ball in the air. Once I saw his eyes get big, I looked back for the ball. Then I turn into the receiver, too — no PI gets called on me. The main thing is just getting a hand on him.”"

LeGarrette Blount:  Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount didn’t have a huge game, but he was a factor.  He rushed the ball 13 times for 50 yards and a touch down.  He also caught two passes or 20 yards.

Next: Patriots Communications Systems Failed During Game

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