ATLANTA (AP) — Rob Gronkowski rumbled down the field Quinnen Williams Jersey , got past two defenders and hauled in the football to set up New England’s go-ahead touchdown.If this was the farewell performance for the Patriots tight end, he went out in playmaking style.Was it his biggest catch ever?“You tell me,” Gronkowski said after New England’s 13-3 Super Bowl victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. “It’s up there. I like making big catches like that.”That, of course, is what he has done his entire nine-year NFL career.The 29-year-old Gronkowski is a three-time Super Bowl champion who has been one of the most dominant players at his position.Ever.But his time is running out, and just when that happens has been a question all season. Back, knee, ankle and arm ailments have sapped him of his ability to stay on the field. And, when he did play this season, he looked mostly like a shell of his All-Pro self.“Tonight, it’s about celebrating with my teammates and that decision will be made a week or two down the future,” Gronkowski said. “Because tonight http://www.jetsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-jachai-polite-jersey , that’s what it’s about, is celebrating with my teammates. That’s what I’m worried about tonight.”Gronkowski was seen limping out of Mercedes-Benz Stadium after the game after injuring a quadriceps muscle on a hit in the third quarter.“Yeah, my quad, it hurts a lot,” he said. “I can barely walk right now.”He was plenty mobile when it mattered most, though. His two biggest catches came after the painful hit.Gronkowski finished with six catches for 87 yards, including two receptions on New England’s only touchdown drive. With the score tied at 3, Tom Brady found his tight end for an 18-yard gain on first down . Two plays later, the Patriots had second-and-3 from the Rams 31 when Brady saw Gronkowski get free down the left sideline.He launched the ball and Gronkowski reached out to catch the ball and put New England at the 2.“When it comes to crunch time,” Gronkowski said, “I always find a way.”For a few moments, it was just like old times.Brady to Gronk.“Incredible catch Chuma Edoga Jersey ,” Brady said. “He’s an awesome teammate, friend, and I’m just so proud of everything that he’s done for our team. He just had an incredible game.”Added center David Andrews: “It was a hell of a catch. The best players show up at the best time.”On the next play, Sony Michel ran it up the middle for a touchdown that put the Patriots ahead for good.“Tom threw it to me and I had to make a play,” Gronkowski said. “I just come through where it needs to be that time. He knows to trust in me and throw that ball and I’m going to go grab it.”But, for how much longer?Gronkowski has danced around the question of retirement whenever the question has come up, but he’s due $9 million in base salary next season — a hefty amount for an aging player whose health will always be a concern.Even if he wants to keep playing, the Patriots could very well say goodbye to one of their best and most popular players in the next few months.And, if that’s the case, Gronkowski and the Patriots went out a winner. As they have so often done.“I’ll tell you this: It was the most satisfying year I’ve ever been a part of,” Gronkowski said. “How we came together, the obstacles we had to overcome http://www.jetsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-trevon-wesco-jersey , the grind from the beginning of training camp to now, it’s just surreal.” The Patriots have crafted a narrative that the perennial AFC power has faced doubt and disrespect during the 2018 postseason.“You know, everyone thinks we suck,” Brady said after the Pats thrashed the Chargers. “You know, can’t win any games. So we’ll see. It’ll be fun.”During a Friday media availability, a reporter called Brady on his contention that no one believes in the Patriots, asking whether there’s a “genuine feeling of disrespect” within the locker room.“I mean, we’re going against a team that’s the No. 1 seed in the league,” Brady replied. “I’m sure there’s a lot of people that are thinking they’re going to win. Everyone can have their own opinion. We certainly have an opinion, and we’ve got to go out there and execute our best in order to accomplish that.“So, it’s going to be a tough game. I mean, we’re not certainly expecting to go 15 minutes into the game and think that it’s over. It’s going to go down to the end. They’ve got a great team. Like I said Clelin Ferrell Jersey , we feel like we have a team that can compete well against anybody. We’re going to need to play really well, and that’s what makes for a championship game. Hopefully, we can have our best one of the year.”Brady’s remarks come at a time when the New England and Kansas City fan bases are arguing incessantly over which team is actually the underdog. The betting line favors the Chiefs by three, which means (given that home-field advantage has a three-point value) that the game would be viewed as a toss-up at a neutral site.Still, New England rarely finds itself getting points. Coupled with the sense that emerged in December that the window has finally slammed shut on the only post-salary cap dynasty, it’s easy for the Patriots to persuade themselves that the world views them differently than it recently did.And if that helps get the coaches and players better motivated to do everything they need to do to win on Sunday, so be it.