Best Of Social Media: Preseason Week 1 Patriots vs Lions

For the first time since their sixth Super Bowl championship back, the New England Patriots returned to game action in their preseason opener out in the Motor City.

Check out some of the best sights and sound from social media over the course of the game.

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A post shared by Jason+Devin McCourty (@mccourtytwins)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B06T2SnAo19/

https://www.instagram.com/p/B06NdPgBo-y/

Lord thank you for another day, another opportunity to be GREAT?? #GameDay
— Joejuan Williams (@JoejuanW) August 8, 2019

TOM BRADY
Heartwarming video of #Patriots QB meeting Larry Prout @fordfield – Larry is a part of @GoTeamIMPACT connecting kids with chronic illnesses to local college teams. Larry is a big @UMichFootball fan. He's also a big Tom Brady fan! #WBZ #Michigan #BigBlue #Lions pic.twitter.com/NqLubOzPgk
— Scott Sullivan (@sullybunZ) August 8, 2019

Best day and so very grateful! I saw Chase on the field and he is looking awesome! And I met Tom Brady for the first time! I am so grateful! Today is the best day! @Wino @Patriots @GoTeamIMPACT @kraftgroupjobs @UofM_Football_ pic.twitter.com/JMS4HUkmyA
— Larry Prout Jr BEAR (@coobles321) August 8, 2019

https://www.instagram.com/p/B07AZ8_n4B3/

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1159609738629406720?s=20

In the first quarter, the Patriots new-look defense showed their presence early.

“Jamie…Collins…still…has it.” pic.twitter.com/DFC2awvgzb
— Tim Whelan (@thattimwhelan) August 9, 2019

Savage thrown down HARD by Bentley. Can’t imagine he’s coming back into game. Hit his head hard to turf. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/xzcO247zV4
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) August 9, 2019

Quarterback Brian Hoyer hooked up with rookie N’Keal Harry for a highlight first catch as a Patriot.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1159620328433176577?s=20

Patriots first-rounder N'Keal Harry's first preseason reception, on a comeback route that gains 11. pic.twitter.com/FlUeF2sOin
— Oliver Thomas (@OliverBThomas) August 9, 2019

The Patriots offense got on the board first as receiver Maurice Harris hauled in a 14 yard touchdown reception from Hoyer.

7-0 Patriots after one quarter of play.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1159619244591501312?s=20

N'Keal Harry now with a 25-yard catch against the #Lions

But he did limp off after the play.pic.twitter.com/oymdzqXpLu
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 9, 2019

Brian Hoyer is having himself a half here. 12-14, 147 yards, 2 TDs, 150.0 rating. #Patriots
— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) August 9, 2019

In the second quarter, Hoyer continued his hot start, finding Jakobi Meyers for his first of two touchdown hauls on the night.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1159623484864995329?s=20

The Patriots defense continued to pressure the Lions and John Simon forced a fumble in the process.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1159624512201035776?s=20

Hoyer's night is over. He finishes the evening 12/14 147-yards, 2TDs

Jarrett Stidham now in the game.
— PatsFans.com (@PatsFans) August 9, 2019

Rookie Jarrett Stidham entered the game for Hoyer and the offense continued to shine as Meyers again found the end zone.

20-0 New England at the half following a missed two-point conversion attempt.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1159626583193161733?s=20

The stats were ugly for Matt Patricia’s Lions.

Tick … tick … tick … pic.twitter.com/gWt6PUy0Fa
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) August 9, 2019

Kicker Stephen Gostkowski missed a 37 yard field goal before the half…or was it Stephen Gostowski?

Stephen Gostkowski: Career 87.4% hit rate on field goals

This Gostowski fellow: Career 0-1#Patriots https://t.co/pHJkp8x9S4
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) August 9, 2019

Don’t tell Lions fans it’s just a preseason game.

Getting booed at home at halftime of the first preseason game is HARSH, Lions.
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) August 9, 2019

Check that. Six sacks. Rivers (2), Shelton, Calhoun, Bentley, Collins. Yikes. https://t.co/5cbPxA1mmT
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) August 9, 2019

Patriots 20, Lions 0 (half): Six sacks and INT as defense swarms, while QBs Brian Hoyer/Jarrett Stidham impressive, and pass-catchers Jakobi Meyers, N'Keal Harry, Maurice Harris & Braxton Berrios all show up. Injuries to Harry/Matt LaCosse bear watching (they haven't returned).
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 9, 2019

Halftime high fives.@TomBrady | #NEvsDET pic.twitter.com/b08QrasG7a
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 9, 2019

So much potential for this @Patriots linebacking unit.
— Tedy Bruschi (@TedyBruschi) August 9, 2019

In the second half the Patriots picked up right where they left off, extending their lead to 28-0 early in the third quarter. A second two-point attempt was good.

Rookie RB Nick Brossette out here conjuring up memories of Ralph Webb. He gets the 1-yard TD run and the 2-point conversion catch as #Patriots stretch their lead to 28-0.
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) August 9, 2019

https://twitter.com/NBrossette/status/1159673209622618112?s=20

One Lions fan had some unfortunate explaining to do after the game.

Some guy just ran on the field, sprinted to the end zone and front flipped over the goal line
— Mark Daniels (@ByMarkDaniels) August 9, 2019

Guy in a Barry Sanders jersey just sprinted across the field. It was the loudest ovation Lions fans gave all night.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 9, 2019

Some Lions fan sprinted across the field only to be tackled in the end zone. At least he scored, right?

Fans chanting “let him go.”

Wearing a Barry Sanders jersey. pic.twitter.com/NCvdrNmmkT
— Greg Levinsky (@GregLevinsky) August 9, 2019

After three quarters and a four touchdown lead there was plenty of praise to go around for the 2019 Patriots debut.

End 3rd Q: #Patriots 28, Lions 0

Jarrett Stidham is 11-17 for 139 yards and 1 TD. And honestly, he should probably have 2 more.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) August 9, 2019

Stephen Gostkowski tacked on a field goal to open the fourth quarter to push the lead to 31-0 and the Patriots defense did the rest to close out the evening.

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1159648475333758976?s=20