Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski hoping to break NFL record

Tom Brady hopes he and Rob Gronkowski can break the NFL record for the most regular-season touchdowns by a pair of players after combining in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 30-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Brady and Gronkowski turned back the clock, teaming up for two touchdowns to lead NFL Super Bowl champions the Bucs past the Falcons on Sunday.

Super duo combine

It was the 89th and 90th TDs between star duo Brady and Gronkowski – moving them second on the all-time list, topped by Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison (112).

"I hope we do. I look for him down there, he is a really big target most of the game," the 44-year-old Brady said when asked if he and Gronkowski would play long enough to eclipse Manning and Harrison.

"I think what makes him so amazing is to do what he does in the run game and block defensive ends. Some of the biggest and strongest guys in the world. To run routes and catch balls and be so athletic. Along with the endurance he has, it is just really amazing."

Team-mates at the New England Patriots before teaming up in Tampa and guiding the Bucs to last season's Super Bowl title, Brady and Gronkowski dazzled against the Falcons.

Gronkowski's first touchdown came via a 27-yard pass in the second quarter before Brady found the four-time Super Bowl-winning tight end with an 11-yard throw in the third period.

A record seven-time Super Bowl champion, Brady finished with four TDs on 38-of-51 passing for 368 yards and one interception as he improved to 10-0 as a starter against the Falcons.

"He kind of makes it easy on any quarterback," Brady said of Gronkowski. "He's just so big, so quick, great hands. Just does an amazing job. A great catch-and-run that he had and then I threw the fade for a touchdown, which was really cool -- he makes those pretty easy, too. I obviously love being out there with him.

"It was good to see him make those plays. He was out for quite a while this year, you know? Just seeing him back, playing great, really enjoying it -- it's really fun for me. That's the best part."

Gronkowski added: "That second touchdown definitely brought us back to the heyday -- the fade. I wasn't supposed to have a fade but he saw and just reminds me of the heyday for us."

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said of the pair: "I think when you play that long together -- I mean, like Gronk said the other day, Tom knows what he's thinking before he does.

"And it's obvious out there a couple of times Tom's thrown a couple balls and even Gronk wasn't quite ready because he knew where he was going. It's great chemistry they have."