Rob Gronkowski Fails To Save Patriots’ Season Thanks To Tom Brady’s Bad Decision
Rob Gronkowski almost single-handedly saved the New England Patriots season against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship game Sunday. But despite two unbelievable 4th-down, desperation catches with under two minutes to play, Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels inexpicably decided not to get him the ball with the game on the line.
And the worst part? According to CBS Sports, Gronkowski was wide open on the two-point conversion try that ultimately cost the Patriots the game.
Gronk was wide open on the 2-pt try. Brady looked him off: pic.twitter.com/VCXheI6v24
— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) January 24, 2016
“On the Patriots’ two-point try, which they needed due to Stephen Gostkowski’s missed extra point in the first quarter, they didn’t go to Gronkowski. It resulted in an interception, effectively ending the Patriots’ season. The worst part: Gronkowski appeared to be open on the play.”
The Broncos defense held Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in check for most of the game. But with under two minutes to go, the Patriots got the ball back around mid-field trailing the Broncos by eight points. Beginning the drive with three straight incompletions, and facing a daunting Denver Broncos pass rush lead by DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, the Patriots faced a fourth-and-10, with the season on the line.
Brady, facing pressure yet again from the Broncos defensive line, reared back and tossed a hail mary to the streaking Gronkowski, who snagged the football out of the air, prolonging the drive
Rob Gronkowski makes a the catch in double coverage. pic.twitter.com/wqZfNWPH7z
— ?arcusD (@_MarcusD_) January 24, 2016
That’s Gronk in a nutshell. Double covered. Ball is just lifted into the air. He goes and gets it. Hall of Fame greatness.
— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) January 24, 2016
Then, with the game on the line yet again, Gronkowski made yet another incredible grab, snaring the potentially game-tying touchdown despite being double-covered by two Broncos defenders.
“On fourth down, Brady — under pressure — appeared to loft up nothing more than a prayer toward the back of the end zone. Gronkowski answered that prayer by somehow staying in bounds and working his way back to the floater.”
On the very next play however, Tom Brady and the Patriots decided not to throw the ball to their most productive player on their offense, instead forcing a pass while under pressure once again, to Julian Edelman instead. The ball was tipped by former Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib and ultimately intercepted by fellow cornerback Bradley Roby.
The Patriots’ Stephen Gostkowski attempted an onside kick, but ultimately came up short. The Patriots season ended despite Rob Gronkowski finishing with eight receptions, 144 yards, and one touchdown.
According to ESPN, Gronk almost wasn’t available to be in position to save the Patriots season, as he dealt with lingering cramping and breathing issues experienced throughout the game.
“Early in the fourth quarter, Gronkowski was seen lying on his stomach on the sideline as he was getting his legs worked on by members of the athletic training staff. Gronkowski was also shown holding an oxygen mask to his mouth.”
Gronk took himself out of the game in what appeared to be a violent collision leading some to speculate whether he had re-injured his knee or back. Gronkowski has a history of injuries that have kept him out of multiple games throughout his career. As reported by the NY Daily News, Gronkwoski tore his ACL and MCL in a December 8th game against the Cleveland Browns, ending his season at the time. He’s also broken his forearm and had back surgery while in college.
Thankfully for the Patriots Rob Gronkowski was able to return to the AFC Championship. And he nearly won them the game all by himself.
