ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Could we be watching the best tight end in the history of the NFL?

The question came to mind after considering Rob Gronkowski’s body of work in the New England Patriots’ 41-25 victory over the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on Sunday, in addition to what he's accomplished over the past four weeks.

The headline news from Sunday is that Gronkowski became the Patriots’ all-time franchise leader for touchdowns with 69. In just his seventh NFL season, he broke a tie with wide receiver Stanley Morgan (1977-89) by streaking up the right seam and hauling in a 53-yard scoring pass from quarterback Tom Brady.

Good luck covering that, as the Pittsburgh Steelers also learned the week before. The score, much like one in the Week 7 win over the Steelers, was a momentum-turner, as the Patriots’ offense was coming off back-to-back three-and-out drives after Buffalo cut the deficit to 14-10.

"It's a great accomplishment and he's a dynamic player for us, there's no doubt," Brady said. "He makes great plays in the pass game -- down the field, intermediate, short -- and he's tough to tackle. He's got a great enthusiasm about him. He's just done an amazing job since he's been here. It's a credit to him and his mental toughness; I've always talked about that with him, to overcome the difficulties that he's faced in his career to get to this point."

After breaking the franchise record in his native western New York on Sunday, Gronkowski added an athletic toe-tap reception for 18 yards along the left sideline in the third quarter, before contributing one of his trademark I’ll-carry-the-defense-on-my-back, catch-and-run plays for 33 yards in the fourth quarter. On that play, Gronkowski rang up 21 yards after the catch after the football arrived quickly as he turned.

Gronkowski's five-catch, 109-yard performance came in addition to his usual solid blocking work; he played every snap but two until the outcome was decided late in the fourth quarter.

So as the Patriots enter their bye week at 7-1, in command of the AFC East (Buffalo is next at 4-4) and among the NFL’s few elite teams, it provides an opportunity to take a bigger-picture view of things in relation to players such as Gronkowski.

The way he’s playing -- in terms of being a difference-maker both as a blocker and pass-catcher -- puts him in the discussion among the NFL’s best ever in terms of “true” tight ends who aren’t glorified wide receivers.

"There are a lot of great players in this league, and there have been a lot of great players," coach Bill Belichick said Sunday when asked if he's ever seen a player like Gronkowski. "Rob does a good job, he competes hard, makes plays in the passing game, blocks in the running game, and does whatever you ask him to do. A very unselfish player. He's great to coach."

Since Brady’s return from a four-game suspension in Week 5, which coincided with Gronkowski's return to full health from a hamstring injury, the numbers have been off the charts: 21 catches for 473 yards and three touchdowns. It's no wonder Belichick was also raving last week about Gronk's technical route-running ability.

Add in Gronkowski's blocking presence, and the question comes up again: Is he the best ever?

He just might be.