It was the type of monotone understatement that has become the norm for a Bill Belichick press conference, but it struck a chord, regardless.
After the Patriots clinched a seventh straight playoff berth with a 27-6 win over the Texans to improve to 11-2, Belichick was asked what it was like to have All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski back on the field after suffering a knee injury against the Broncos two weeks ago.
"Yeah," Belichick said, "I mean, he missed one game."
That Eagles game Gronkowski missed last week was the second of two straight losses, but against the Texans, Gronkowski was back to his old self with four receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.