Buffalo native Rob Gronkowski enjoyed a record-breaking homecoming, setting a New England Patriots record with his 69th career touchdown in a 41-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills.
Gronkowski, who grew up in suburban Buffalo, eclipsed the mark Stanley Morgan had set in 1989.
"Definitely an honor to come home to my hometown and get that record," Gronkowski said.
"To hold the record for most franchise touchdowns is just unbelievable."
"Stanley Morgan actually called me to congratulate me.
"He was an awesome player and an awesome guy. He said congratulations and it was pretty cool. To get a phone call from him already, right after the game in the locker room, was something special."
Gronkowski has done more damage against the Bills than any other opponent, catching 52 passes for 813 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games.
The Patriots (7-1) are 9-2 against the Bills (4-4) with Gronkowski in the lineup. One of those losses came four weeks ago, when Gronkowski was still limited by a hamstring injury and quarterback Tom Brady was still suspended.
Brady improved to 26-3 against the Bills, tying Brett Favre's NFL record for most wins against a single opponent.
Elsewhere in the NFL, Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan hit Mohamed Sanu in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown with 31 seconds remaining as the Falcons beat Green Bay 33-32.
Drew Brees completed 27 of 35 passes for 265 yards, including a go-ahead 2-yard slant to Brandin Cooks in the fourth quarter, to lift New Orleans over Seattle 25-20.
Running back Jonathan Stewart ran for a pair of touchdowns and Carolina found a remedy for its recent struggles by holding off Arizona 30-20 in a rematch of last season's NFC championship game.
Oakland went for it on fourth down late in overtime and got a 41-yard touchdown to beat Tampa Bay 30-24.
Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins missed a 34-yard field-goal attempt late in overtime and the Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals settled for a 27-27 tie at Wembley Stadium in London.
Kansas City beat Indianapolis 30-14, Houston beat Detroit 20-13, the New York Jets rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit for a 31-28 victory over winless Cleveland while Denver had a 27-19 win over San Diego.
