Best of Social Media: Week 2 Patriots vs Dolphins
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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. #MIAvsNEhttps://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.
Great team win!!!
— Dion Lewis (@DionLewisRB) September 18, 2016
hard fought win boys #gopats #patriots pic.twitter.com/qAEH2uoFvB
— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) September 18, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKg7_YMBW_8/
Martellus Bennett asked if he can play quarterback: "I cannot throw the ball worth a damn."
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) September 18, 2016
Last but not least, The Tom Brady times released its second issue following the game.
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