Three things to consider as the days count down to the New England Patriots’ eighth consecutive AFC Championship game:
- New England Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski was on the field for 77 of 83 total offensive snaps in the Patriots’ 41-28 domination of the Chargers on Sunday afternoon. That comes out to 93 percent of possible snaps, yet the 29 year-old only managed one catch for 25 yards in the win.
- Kansas City Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce played in 83 of 87 possible offensive snaps (95%) in the Chiefs 31-13 rout of the Colts in the other divisional matchup. Kelce, also 29, caught seven balls and led the Chiefs in receiving with 107 yards.
- The two tight ends, both sporting number 87, had the same impact on their respective teams’ victories in the Divisional Round.
The headlines are plentiful for this rematch of a week six tilt, where the Patriots escaped with a 43-40 win. A favorite for MVP against a favorite for the Greatest of All Time. A flashy and explosive offense against a team that entered the year with uncertainty and doubt, but still managed to rinse and repeat. A game featuring the two best teams in the American Football Conference, with two of the NFL’s top offenses.

I want to talk about a different headline, however. The matchup of Gronkowski vs. Kelce, two of the best tight ends in the NFL. Two 29 year-olds with very similar builds that could go down in history as two of the best to ever play the tight end position.
Regular Season Performance
Rob Gronkowski: After an offseason riddled with questions surrounding his future and rumors about trades and retirement, Gronkowski still put together a decent 2018. He isn’t the overwhelming physical force of the past, nor is he as healthy as he once was. However, the Patriots’ tight end still played in 13 games and caught 47 passes for 682 yards. Gronkowski only found the end zone three times, but at this point in his career, his health and availability trump the numbers.
Travis Kelce: Meanwhile, Kelce put together the best season of his career. The First Team All-Pro tight end racked up 1336 yards and 10 touchdowns on 103 receptions, all career-highs. Kelce placed second among all tight ends in catches, receiving yards, yards per game, and touchdowns, earning him his fourth straight Pro Bowl invitation.
-
Ep 120: Frank Clark To Denver, DeAndre Hopkins, Dalvin Cook
by Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 8:12 pm

Usage on Offense
Rob Gronkowski: Gronkowski’s 79 career receiving touchdowns are the most by any player in Patriots history. His 7,861 receiving yards are good for second-most in franchise history, behind only Stanley Morgan’s 10,352. But over the years, and the injuries, his role in the offense has evolved.
“He’s a great blocker,” said Tom Brady following the Divisional Round victory, “I think that’s something that goes maybe a little under the radar with his skill set”. His quarterback hit the nail on the head, as Gronkowski played a major role in his team’s 155 rushing yards and 4.6 yards per carry. Rob Gronkowski the blocker has been more prominent than ever this season, and his multifaceted skill set will once again impact the Patriots’ offense this Sunday.

Travis Kelce: On the other hand, Kelce currently looks a lot like Gronkowski of Patriot Past. With career-highs across the board, the star of those new McDonald’s commercials is one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite targets and a formidable red-zone threat. This season, Kelce led the Chiefs in targets and receptions, while second in yards and touchdowns, behind only Tyreek Hill. While Gronkowski now operates as more of a decoy and draws coverage away from other receivers, Kelce is a focal point in the Kansas City passing game.

Sunday Outlook
Rob Gronkowski: In the Patriots’ week six victory against the Chiefs, Gronkowski turned three receptions into 97 yards. In five career matchups, he’s totaled over 300 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Gronkowski should continue his success against the Chiefs and their bottom-two pass defense this weekend, when he’s not creating running lanes of course.
Travis Kelce: The Patriots contained the All-Pro tight end in week six, holding him to five catches for just 61 yards. He has just three touchdowns in three meetings between the two teams, and I can guarantee Kelce is a featured component of the Patriots’ defensive gameplan going into the AFC Championship.
The Patriots will play the Chiefs this Sunday at 6:40 PM, where two elite teams, and two elite tight ends, will play for a trip to Atlanta.
-Ethan Roy is a Staff Writer for Full Press Coverage Sports Media and covers the New England Patriots. Follow him on Twitter @_ethanroy
-
Ep 159: Remembering Norma Hunt With Chiefs Historian Bob Mooreby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 8:33 pm
Chiefs historian Bob Moore joins Clark and Ira to discuss the life of […]
-
Ep 158: Billy "White Shoes" Johnson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
Former Oilers star Billy "White Shoes" Johnson joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Understanding Post June 1 Cuts & Potential Trade Candidatesby LandryFootball.com on June 8, 2023 at 2:10 pm
One of the important dates on the NFL calendar has come and gone, with […]
-
See How Incoming SEC Freshman QB's Rankby LandryFootball.com on June 7, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Every year hundreds of high school quarterbacks receive college offers to […]
-
Ep 289: QB Xtreme with John Hogueby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 3:42 pm
-
Ep 288: Coast 2 Coast 2-Copy Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 1:55 pm
-
Ep 287: BLeague Brings His A-Gameby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 4:41 pm
-
Ep 286: FPC Dynasty Rookie Draftby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 3:01 pm
-
Episode 3.12: Mini-Camp Preview with Craig Hoffmanby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 1:16 am
George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) hosts Craig Hoffman from the "Take Command […]
-
Episode 3.11: OTAs and Hot Topics w/Sam Fortier from the Washington Postby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 9:20 pm
George Carmi hosts Sam Fortier from the Washington Post to discuss the […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
After Connor Bedard going #1, who are some prospects to look at for the […]
-
Full Press Kraken - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Areas of improvement, prospect look and AHL playoffs. Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Islanders - Wednesday, June 7thby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Lou Lamoriello holds a press conference yesterday we talk about what was […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 770by Charlie Saunier on June 6, 2023 at 7:13 pm
Ep 770 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Game 6 & Preview Calder Cup Final […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - Tuesday, June 6thby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 5:20 pm
A brief look at game one of the Stanley Cup Final and potential draft […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - Tuesday, April 6thby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:00 pm
It is the Connor Bedard show at the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Will Connor […]
-
6/8 - Nuggets Dominate; PGA/LIV Mergeby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 2 win over the Heat and the recent […]
-
6/6 - Golden Knights Cruise; NBA Final Heads To Miamiby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2023 at 2:36 pm
Ian and John discuss the Golden Knights dominating win and look ahead to […]
-
6/5 - Heat Take Game 2; Golden Knights; Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Loveby Full Press Coverage on June 5, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Ian and John discuss the Heat's win over the Nuggets, the Golden Knights […]
-
6/2 - Nuggets Take Game 1, Barry Bonds, Stanley Cup Chat w/ Jim Biringerby Full Press Coverage on June 2, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John discuss the Nuggets Game 1 win over the Heat, the upcoming […]
-
6/1 - NBA Finals Preview, Aaron Rodgers, and Moreby Full Press Coverage on June 1, 2023 at 1:53 pm
Ian and John discuss Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Nuggets and Heat […]
-
5/30 - Heat Dominate Celtics; Vegas Advances; Jimmy Gby Full Press Coverage on May 30, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics disappointing Game 7 performance against […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, June 8thby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep 120: Frank Clark To Denver, DeAndre Hopkins, Dalvin Cookby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 8:12 pm
-
Miami Dolphins Preview and Win totalsby Broken Controller Media on June 8, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: UFC 289 - Malott vs Fugitby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Ep 289: QB Xtreme with John Hogueby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 3:42 pm
-
6/8 - Nuggets Dominate; PGA/LIV Mergeby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 12:38 pm
-
Fight Stack: UFC 289 - Ige vs Landwehrby Full Press Coverage on June 8, 2023 at 11:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Wednesday, June 7thby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Ep. 248 - Would the Heat be the Most Unlikely NBA Champions Ever?by Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 9:22 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "Too Much Wrestling"by Boot 2 The Face on June 1, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Your boys are back talking ALL of the pro wrestling that happened this […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "PPV Predictions"by Boot 2 The Face on May 26, 2023 at 1:06 am
BIG weekend in wrestling and EJ and Rucker are here to predict!AEW Double […]
-
AEW Double or Nothing and WWE Night of Champions Review and CM Punk Returnby Full Press Coverage on June 7, 2023 at 9:57 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they review AEW Double […]
-
AEW Double or Nothing and Night of Champions Previewby Full Press Coverage on May 26, 2023 at 9:59 pm
Jim is back once again joined by Teddy Repantis as they preview Double or […]
-
Ep 167: Ahmed Johnsonby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ahmed Johnson was a red-hot act in WWF in the mid to late 1990s. We looked […]