Rob Gronkowski gives the Jaguars defense its props

After Jalen Ramsey assessed that Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski doesn’t fare well against cornerbacks, the Jaguars defense shut down the star tight end. After the game, Gronk had no problem giving the unit their props.

The supposed battle between Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey and Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski didn’t materialize, but the Jaguars defense made a collective effort to stop the star tight end.

Gronk would finish the game with two catches for 15 yards, his fourth-lowest output in his career with at least 40 snaps. While Gronk wasn’t matched up against Ramsey primarily — it was Jaguars safety Tashaun Gipson who took the tight end out of the game — Gronk gave the Jaguars defense their credit, and vowed to play better.

“They did a good job overall,” Gronkowski said of the Jags’ coverage. “I just have to watch the film, how they did it. They’ve got good players. I have to play better. They did a good job. They’re a good team.”

“It is what it is. Got to deal with it, got learn how to get off it,” he said. “Just another thing I have to learn to deal with.”

The Patriots would end the game with only 302 yards of total offense — a far cry from their usual standard. With Gronk covered throughout the game, it forced Brady to look elsewhere for instant offense in the passing game. The Patriots are now in familiar territory, starting the season 1-1 in three of their last five seasons, but it’s likely the Patriots will make the adjustments needed in case the two teams meet again.

As for Ramsey and his Jaguars, his proclamation that Gronk could be limited depending on the matchup rung true. It will now be up to the Patriots and Gronk to make sure the rest of the NFL doesn’t play copy-cat with the Jaguars blueprint.