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The Miami Dolphins are chasing the New England Patriots in the AFC East, with the front-running Patriots two games ahead of Miami heading into Week 13. The Dolphins have one head-to-head meeting with the Patriots remaining this year, but they are going to need New England to stumble at some point while Miami keeps winning if they are going to dethrone the perennial division champions.
On Thursday, media reports indicated the Patriots could spend the rest of the regular season - and most of the playoffs - without their freak-of-a-tight-end Rob Gronkowski:
Rob Gronkowski's back injury worse than thought. He is getting surgery tomorrow, per source. No time frame on possible return.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2016
More on Gronk from #NFL sources: Suffered a ruptured disk vs. #Seahawks, surgery in L.A. Expected to be out eight weeks.
— Vic Carucci (@viccarucci) December 1, 2016
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has a herniated disc in his back, per source. Surgery on Friday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2016
An eight week recovery time would have Gronkowski out of action until the Super Bowl, should the Patriots make it that far.
Though injuries are never something you want to see anyone suffer, this could open the door slightly for the Dolphins to make a run at New England. The Patriots still have to play the AFC North leading Baltimore Ravens (6-5), the Denver Broncos (7-4), and the Dolphins (7-4), along with the Los Angeles Rams (4-7) and New York Jets (3-8). Miami’s remaining schedule features the Ravens, the Arizona Cardinals (4-6-1), the Jets, the Buffalo Bills (6-5), and the Patriots.