Best of Social Media: Week 2 Patriots vs Dolphins

On Sunday afternoon the New England Patriots ran onto the field for their first 2016 regular season game at Gillette Stadium against the division rival Miami Dolphins. Coming into the matchup the Patriots had won seven consecutive regular season home games against the Phins dating back to 2009.

Before the game, the Patriots honored Boston Red Sox Designated Hitter David Ortiz who is set to retire following the 2016 season. He was briefly spotted wearing a Tom Brady jersey before being given his own customized one.

https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/777601701796651008

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/777546061598556160

Update: Big Papi has changed into a No. 12 jersey. pic.twitter.com/5khhD9julj

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 18, 2016

https://twitter.com/dave1foos/status/777553140308709376

When the first quarter began, Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo came out on fire.

He torched a Miami defense that had allowed just 12 points total the week before, including this laser to tight end Martellus Bennett for his first career touchdown pass as a Patriot.

Two @Patriots Drives:

9 of 10
136 YDs
2 TDs
158.3 pass RTG@JimmyG_10 is making this look TOO easy. #MIAvsNE https://t.co/cJUip94Px3

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) September 18, 2016

https://twitter.com/NEPD_Loyko/status/777562573277425664

Former Patriot Wes Welker was spotted in the stands.

Welker seemed to enjoy himself today pic.twitter.com/KaVIx6N215

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 18, 2016

The Patriots were off and running early. Dominating the Dolphins to a 21-0 lead, Garoppolo having his best game as a professional…and then heartbreak.

Jimmy G hurt pic.twitter.com/XUH0jbpAZw

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) September 18, 2016

Garoppolo hurt. Down on one knee. Hanging right arm strangely.

— Andy Hart (@JumboHart) September 18, 2016

Here's the play where Jimmy Garoppolo appeared to suffer an injury pic.twitter.com/TDU5AZrX6P

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) September 18, 2016

Garoppolo was pulled from the game and would not return following that brutal hit by Kiko Alonzo injuring his shoulder. In a matter of seconds, the Patriots found themselves in even more bizarre territory to start the 2016 season.

https://twitter.com/FitzyGFY/status/777571647326785536

Rookie Jacoby Brissett was immediately thrust into the starting role as all of Gillette Stadium fell into disbelief.

The Patriots have officially ruled Garoppolo OUT for the rest of the game vs. Miami.

He had 3 TDs prior to the injury.

— ESPN (@espn) September 18, 2016

The Dolphins managed to get on the board before the first half ended with a field goal. 24-3 into the half, but the sense of dominance had all but left the fans in the stands.

Former running back and newest member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, Kevin Faulk was honored at halftime, tweeting this special picture of himself with Owner Robert Kraft, Jerod Mayo, Andre Tippett and David Ortiz.

https://twitter.com/feezy_k/status/777653614990864385

Although struggling to get going on his first drive due to some unlucky drops, Brissett remained calm and got the Patriots within scoring range twice to start the second half. Patriots 31-Dolphins 3.

Brissett's first career completion is a 37-yard catch-and-run by @MartysaurusRex. #MIAvsNE

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 18, 2016

Jacoby Brissett was a perfect 3-of-3 for 59yds on the Patriots scoring drive, off to a good start here in the second half. #NEvsMIA

— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) September 18, 2016

LeGarrette Blount rumbled into the end zone for this score to open up a 28 point lead for the Patriots.

Touchdown BLOUNT #Patriots https://t.co/Hf2zVMcIjK

— BOSTON™ (@BoucherMitch) September 18, 2016

While Brissett handled himself well, the Patriots defense began to falter as the second half progressed.

Nice grab by @DeVanteParker11 https://t.co/LrLSM1zMF9

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 18, 2016

Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry had multiple highlight reel catches as they clawed their way back into the game.

https://twitter.com/TrevorSikkema/status/777590116844011520

Kenny Stills got into the end zone for the Dolphins first touchdown of the game, it would be the first of three scores as Miami flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the Patriots 21-7.

Ryan Tannehill to @KSTiLLS! https://t.co/Cww69xeg4P

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 18, 2016

Kenyan Drake finds the endzone!! https://t.co/aibV6j44UR

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 18, 2016

Dolphins score. What once was a 31-3 lead is now down to one score.

— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 18, 2016

In between the Dolphins scoring frenzy, Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount produced this incredible hurdle.

https://twitter.com/OnlyInBOS/status/777592392249544704

With 2:13 remaining in the game and the score now 31-24, it was up to the the rookie Brissett to get the Patriots on the scoreboard one final time.

Getting the Patriots inside the 30, it was up to AFC Special Teams Player of the Week Stephen Gostkowski to ice the win.

Not quite.

Gostkowski's 39-yard field goal attempt is no good, wide right. #MIAvsNE

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 18, 2016

Gostkowski kicks wide right. Keeps door open for Dolphins. Amazing.

— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) September 18, 2016

We saw 2 one-handed catches and a 250-pound guy hurdle another man, and yet nothing was as shocking as Steve Gostkowski missing a 39 yarder

— Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) September 18, 2016

WOW! Meat doesn't miss those #Pats

— Dan Koppen (@koppen67) September 18, 2016

With 1:04 to go in the game the Dolphins had one more chance to force overtime.

Enter Mr. Game Sealer, Duron Harmon.

https://twitter.com/PatriotGirlsMex/status/777601904067145728

Duron Harmon intercepts Tannehill's pass in the end zone. Patriots 31 Dolphins 24. NE's defense escapes through the skin of their teeth.

— Courtney Fallon (@CourtneyFallon_) September 18, 2016

With the interception in the end zone, the Patriots snuck out with a victory and moved to 2-0 without Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and now Jimmy Garoppolo.

Next. Man. Up.