Patriots 31, Colts 24
Rob Gronkowski caught two touchdown passes and ran for another score to set a single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end as the New England Patriots jumped out early and held off the Indianapolis Colts 31-24 on Sunday.
Tom Brady completed 29 of 38 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns and BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for a score as the Patriots (9-3) won their four straight to maintain at least a two-game lead in the AFC East.
The Colts (0-12) remain the lone winless team in the NFL.
It took the New England offense a few minutes to get in gear, but it cruised once it did. The Patriots reached the end zone on four straight possessions sandwiched around halftime.
Brady and Gronkowski hooked up on an 11-yard score and Green-Ellis burst in from 1 yard out to make it 17-3 going into the break.
Gronkowski matched an NFL record for a tight end with his 13th touchdown reception early in the third and set the record outright on the next possession, when Brady hit him with a short pass that the Arizona product took two yards into the end zone.
The official scorer ruled the pass a lateral, making it a rushing score for Gronkowski.
Wes Welker added 11 catches for 114 yards for the Patriots.
Dan Orlovsky made his first start for Indianapolis and led three touchdowns drives in the fourth quarter. He finished 30 of 37 for 353 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.