Gronk's out, but fans stay confident

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WHDH) -- The Patriots get the win on the scoreboard but suffer a big loss on the field when Rob Gronkowski left the game in the first quarter.

The pro-bowl tight end fell onto his left arm when he caught a pass out bounds. It’s the same forearm that he broke on Nov. 18 that caused him to miss part of the season.

Gronk is down and out, but fans aren't losing confidence.

“They've done alright without him,” said a fan.

“We played without him for 3 to 4 weeks, we'll be alright,” said another fan.

Rob Gronkowski re-injured his forearm in the first quarter when the Patriots were down 3-0.

Gronk caught the pass-albeit out of bounds-and never returned to the field.

The pro-bowl tight end was clearly in pain when he walked off the field to get x-rays, only to learn his post-season was done.

Fans, bumming over the loss, know other players can step up.

“It's awful, but I think we have everything else, we have Hernandez, we have Welker, I think we’re gonna be okay,” said a fan.

“They rely on Gronk a lot but they have a lot of options that get you to the end zone,” said another.

Gronk's teammates feel the same way and know it's possible because they've done it before.

Gronk first fractured his forearm in November in a blow-out win against the Colts.

In his absence, the Patriots still averaged more than 30 points a game, a reassuring stat for fans.

“Gronk is a beast, but our whole team is a beast, I’m not worried, bring on Baltimore,” said a fan.

However confident a fan can be of these talented back-ups, they all know what they're missing.

“He’s a great athlete, it goes to show, we have enough depth and talent, but I’d rather them do it with him,” said a fan.