Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski didn't exactly give newly signed wide receiver Brandon Lloyd the red-carpet treatment for his welcome to New England.
In fact, Gronkowski gave Lloyd an instant tutorial in his popularity among the Patriots' fan base.
Gronkowski and Lloyd squared off in the first round of the Madden 13 cover bracket, and the hulking tight end won in a blowout with 85 percent of the vote. It was the third-most lopsided victory in the first round, which consisted of 16 matchups. Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson beat Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe with 92 percent of the vote, and Panthers quarterback Cam Newton outlasted Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount with 87 percent of the vote.
Gronkowski, the second seed on the right side of the bracket, and Lloyd were the only teammates to go head to head in the first round. The qualifying round began before Lloyd signed with the Patriots, so he was the victor from the Rams' bracket.
Gronkowski will take on Vikings defensive end Jared Allen in the second round, and the voting runs through April 4. The winner of that will meet either Johnson or Texans running back Arian Foster, who miraculously managed to defeat Jets quarterback Tim Tebow.
There was only one official upset in the first round, as 11th-seeded 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis knocked out sixth-seeded Bears running back Matt Forte.
Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, who went to UMass, beat Redskins linebacker Brian Orakpo in the first round and will square off against Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis in the second round.
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