Brady, Pats' offense explode in rout of Steelers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady threw for season highs of 432 yards and four touchdowns. Rob Gronkowski had a career-high nine receptions. And the New England Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 55-31 on Sunday.

The 55 points were the most scored in an NFL game this season and the most ever scored against the Steelers (2-6).

Brady had 252 yards passing in the first half, more than he had in five of his other eight games for New England (7-2).

And 119 of those came on seven catches by Gronkowski -- in his third game since missing the first six while recovering from surgeries on his left forearm and back.

The two-time Pro Bowl tight end caught his first touchdown pass of the season, a 19-yarder, as the Patriots took a 14-0 lead with 4:30 gone in the second quarter.

Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press

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