There are multiple instances in the Chicago game where Gronk couldn’t have been covered better, yet still made good on easy completions. He’s too big and too strong. You can be his fanny pack and there are still plenty of places for Tom Brady to fit the ball for a score. As Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and his crew are sitting to study Patriots film, if their resolution to stop Gronk centers on who they cover him with, the Patriots offense has already won.

The flip side of that coin is once teams decide to shift schemes (and not a particular person) to Gronk, the flood-gates should open for other Patriots receivers. This makes for a New England offense that can once again be dominant, while their defense concentrates on situational wins, turnovers, and healing. With this development, the AFC picture just got repainted.