Rob Gronkowski scored three touchdowns as the New England Patriots eased to a crushing 51-23 win over the Chicago Bears to extend their winning streak to four games.

The Patriots were ahead after their first possession of the game when Tom Brady found Gronkowski, completing a touchdown to the tight end for the 46th time to set a new franchise record.

The hosts doubled their advantage when Gronkowski picked up a big gain, before Brady found Tim Wright in space at the back of the endzone.

An interception from the Patriots quarterback allowed the Bears to keep themselves in the game early in the second quarter when Jay Cutler tossed the ball forward for Matt Forte.

However, the Patriots recovered quickly as Brady threw a pass deep for Gronkowski, who just kept his feet in bounds on the sidelines to score his second of the game, before a big punt return from Julian Edelman set up Brandon LaFell for a trip to the endzone.

Cutler tried to reduce the deficit for the Bears before the break, but the quarterback fumbled the ball, allowing Rob Ninkovich to recover it and return it for a touchdown.

The Patriots continued to increase their advantage at the start of the third quarter when Brady connected with Gronkowski for the third time in the game.

While New England rested their starters late on, the Bears kept their first string on the field, resulting in late touchdowns for Martellus Bennett and Alshon Jeffery, making the scoreline a little more respectable.

Steven Gostkowski added a field goal late on, taking the Patriots past the 50-point mark and leaving them with a 6-2 record so far this season.

That record leaves them at the top of the AFC East, while the Bears' 3-5 record leaves them three wins behind the NFC North leaders, the Detroit Lions.