FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- When tight end Rob Gronkowski wasn’t on the field for the first play of the New England Patriots’ victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, it was a statement of intention by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
In Gronkowski’s place was No. 2 tight end Dwayne Allen, who prides himself on being one of the most devastating blockers in the NFL at the position. Behind Allen was bulldozing fullback James Develin and fresh-legged rookie running back Sony Michel.
There haven’t been many times this season when the Patriots have subbed out Gronkowski for Allen, but they did it quite a bit on Sunday.