FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Rob Gronkowski, who grew up outside Buffalo, has always been proud of his roots. He has also never forgotten that his hometown team, the Bills, did not want him.
Gronkowski made a one-handed touchdown grab, giving him 12 scores in 13 career games against the Bills, and the New England Patriots stayed on track for home-field advantage throughout the A.F.C. playoffs with a 37-16 victory on Sunday.
Gronkowski has more touchdowns against Buffalo than against any other opponent.
“It’s cool when your hometown team passed on you twice in that draft,” Gronkowski said, referring to the 2010 event.