It's official: Rob Gronkowski has the single-season tight end touchdown record. Gronkowski caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady, his 14th of the season, and the New England Patriots lead the Washington Redskins, 14-3, with 5:49 left in the first quarter.
It's only fitting that Gronkowski caught the touchdown, because he put the Patriots that deep into Redskins territory with an incredible catch-and-run. He dragged DeJon Gomes several yards downfield on his back and finally was tackled on the 11-yard line. He then scored on the next play.
The Redskins' scoring drive was jump-started with a huge play when Rex Grossman lofted it deep to Donte Stallworth for a 51-yard gain on third and 10. Stallworth got a half-step on Devin McCourty and Grossman put it perfectly in his arms for the completion. Stallworth kept the drive alive on third down and seven later when he caught a slant for a first down to bring the ball to the three-yard line. But the Redskins couldn't jam it in, getting called for a false start on the one-yard line and throwing an incompletion on third down. They were forced to settle for a Graham Gano field goal that cut the lead to 7-3.
For more on the New England vs. Washington game, be sure to follow this StoryStream. For more on the Redskins, please visit Hogs Haven. For the perspective from the other side, please visit SB Nation Boston and Pats Pulpit.