Best Of Social Media: Week 1 Dolphins vs Patriots

The New England Patriots opened up the 2020 season with a new starting quarterback since 2016.

With Cam Newton under center leading the way, a new era of Patriots football was set to begin post Tom Brady.

Set to the bizarre backdrop of an empty Gillette Stadium due to COVID-19, the Patriots looked to get some revenge on the rival Miami Dolphins after last seasons shocking week 17 loss at the buzzer.

Take a look at all the best sights and sounds shared over social media from week one below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Julian Edelman (@edelman11)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFDd9LZhBko/

https://twitter.com/WillieMcGinest/status/1305164519702892547?s=20

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cam Newton (@cameron1newton)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Patrick Chung (@23patrickchung)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adrian Phillips (@phillips_17)

https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1305182273399140353?s=20

Bill Belichick has officially coached in 46 consecutive NFL seasons, the most by any coach in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/C2YUPSHhXH

— The Hall presented by RTX (@TheHall) September 14, 2020

Bill Belichick will be honoring Fritz Pollard, the NFL's first Black head coach, on his visor today.

(via @Patriots) pic.twitter.com/dvX42W4vJp

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 13, 2020

#Patriots owner Robert Kraft chats with Ernie Adams. pic.twitter.com/X1KPKtHrJ2

— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) September 13, 2020

Warming up for Week 1. #MIAvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/tR5PKbVVP7

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 13, 2020

For the first time since 1995, the #Patriots will not start the season with a kicker named Vinatieri or Gostkowski.

2 kickers. 24 seasons. 3,255 total points. pic.twitter.com/whNzgHK2mw

— The Hall presented by RTX (@TheHall) September 13, 2020

Patriots lined up on the goal line. Pregame video from the kickoff game Thursday night — with Alicia Keys singing “Lift Every Voice And Sing” — is on the big screen and they’re all watching it. They’d normally be in the locker room now but they made it a point to be out for this. pic.twitter.com/w6FOX1A27Q

— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) September 13, 2020

Together // Zusammen pic.twitter.com/LpsFvl66bz

— Jakob Johnson (@jakobjohnson) September 14, 2020

Julian Edelman with his trademark full sprint out of the tunnel … but no fans to fire him up as he arrives at the end zone. pic.twitter.com/MEJq7Wo1DK

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 13, 2020

In the first quarter both teams played to a scoreless draw, but wide receiver Julian Edelman hit a special milestone.

Edelman hauled in his 600th career reception, joining Wes Welker as the only Patriots to reach that number.

6??0??0?? catches for @edelman11.

2nd player in team history to reach 600 career receptions (Welker, 672). pic.twitter.com/3EfbUaIVVb

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 13, 2020

At the start of the second quarter, Cam Newton led the Patriots to the first points of the game, a four-yard touchdown run that gave fans an early look at the new style of offense.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1305204458306011137?s=20

Wakanda Forever. pic.twitter.com/cTGTkhCOZ5

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 13, 2020

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1305209766197645312?s=20

Ok @CameronNewton I see you. #Touchdown #NFL #Patriots

— Deion Branch #83 #84 (@deionbranch84) September 13, 2020

Most rush TD all-time for a QB in NFL history:

Cam Newton 59
Otto Graham 44
Steve Young 43@CameronNewton #GoPats pic.twitter.com/Gd1X5Sy7B1

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) September 13, 2020

Meanwhile the Patriots secondary continued to play at the level they did a season ago.

https://twitter.com/BumpNrunGilm0re/status/1305238748783837186?s=20

Ryan Fitzpatrick targeting Patriot Cornerbacks yesterday:
17 Attempts
8 Completions
75 Yards
2 INT
2 PBU
20.10 Passer Rating pic.twitter.com/wFUJLLdvhx

— El Capitãn (@DomGonzo12) September 14, 2020

A Jason Sanders 46 yard field goal cut the Patriots lead to four heading into halftime.

INT for @Phillips_17 in his #Patriots debut! #MIAvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/LxfVwf6fcU

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 13, 2020

In the third quarter, the Patriots pushed their lead out to 11 when Newton found the end zone again

14-3 Patriots through three.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1305215388452519937?s=20

https://twitter.com/BenjaminSWatson/status/1305215008553480197?s=20

Cam Newton ties the Patriots team record with 2 rushing TD’s by a QB in a regular season game

— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) September 13, 2020

SPIKE IT!#BudLightCelly | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/6GYBJxvUXM

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 13, 2020

Cam Newton gave the football to David Andrews to spike it after his second touchdown. Newton said it was because Andrews was in his boat by missing last season, and how none of his rushing success could've happened without the offensive line.

— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) September 13, 2020

David Andrews on getting a chance to spike it after Newton’s second touchdown run: “It was awesome, and you know you have to love watching that guy play the game and seeing all of the work that he has put in. I am super proud of him and we had some fun out there today.”

— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) September 13, 2020

6??0?? career rushing TDs for @CameronNewton.#MIAvsNE | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/AYJJTFzMXA

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 13, 2020

“No seriously, nobody signed me for 3 months. Anyway yea we’re going undefeated” pic.twitter.com/Gz99EZS8IE

— Steve Perrault (@Steve_Perrault) September 13, 2020

In the fourth quarter, a Dolphins rushing touchdown by Jordan Howard coupled with a successful two-point attempt made it a three point game but the Patriots would respond quick.

A Sony Michel touchdown put the Patriots up 21-11 with five to play while the defense did their job to close out the victory.

https://twitter.com/PatsNationTM/status/1305228561654185989?s=20

DEREK RIVERS HEARD YOU WAS CALLING HIM A BUST! pic.twitter.com/CgybpOEwkD

— Goose (@GooseOnBass) September 13, 2020

Feel good story for the #Patriots opener?

@MeganOBsports asked Bill Belichick about Derek Rivers, who had played in only six games in 3 years due to injury coming into 2020. @WBZ #wbz

(Via @Patriots @NFL) pic.twitter.com/yXJ0o506jE

— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) September 14, 2020

https://twitter.com/TerpsWatch/status/1305233258515398657?s=20

https://twitter.com/CaseyBake16/status/1305247251405602823?s=20

The Patriots would win Newton’s debut 21-11 at Gillette Stadium and will head west to Seattle to take on Russell Wilson’s Seahawks for the first time since 2016 next Sunday night.

From Elias: Cam Newton's 75 Rush Yds are the most by a Patriots QB since 1977, when Steve Grogan had 81 at the Bills.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 13, 2020

Patriots 1-0 good game fellas. #PatsNation

— Deion Branch #83 #84 (@deionbranch84) September 13, 2020

The Patriots offense looks just a little different.

– Newton had 15 rushes, most ever by a Patriots QB in a game.
– Newton ran for 75 yds, the most by a Patriots QB since 1977 (Steve Grogan).
– NE rushed 42 times for 217 yds, both their most in a season opener under Belichick. pic.twitter.com/7QziXOatKp

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 13, 2020

This is outrageous. pic.twitter.com/zVBAYREZNR

— Michael Hurley (@michaelFhurley) September 14, 2020

Great first win.@dandrews61 | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/qaQBR0FgI8

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 13, 2020

Cam Newton and a couple #Dolphins players came close to getting into it after the game.

Newton is also seen holding his hamstring as he walked away…pic.twitter.com/BGTRyP5ODi

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 13, 2020

Cam Newton celebrates his first win since 2018 by trying to fight the entire Dolphins organization https://t.co/EhCHhqXpFC

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 13, 2020

https://twitter.com/IanSteeleABC6/status/1305242564925292544?s=20

“I still got my chain. I got two of ’em. They were reaching for my chain”

Cam Newton says Dolphins players reached for his chain at the end of the game @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/GTmma3jjoK

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 13, 2020

https://twitter.com/CaseyBake16/status/1305258405041496065?s=20

Bill Belichick led off his post-game video conference by referencing the visor he wore with a Fritz Pollard patch on it; he took off the visor to look at it as he explained why he did it (full remarks below). pic.twitter.com/Dx765oTfKX

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) September 13, 2020