Best Of Social Media: Week 9 Patriots vs Panthers

The New England Patriots traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to take on the Panthers this past Sunday looking to not only extend their winning streak but go a game over .500 for the first time this season.

Waiting for them was cornerback Stephon Gilmore just weeks after the trade to his hometown team.

Check out how the game unfolded through all the best postings shared across social media before, during, and after the game.

https://twitter.com/nflnetwork/status/1457374064847175680?s=20

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A post shared by Julian Edelman (@edelman11)

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1457395727001427972?s=20

Dominate on three.@dandrews61 | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/uCePVQnBT8

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 7, 2021

In the first quarter, both offenses struggled to do much of anything as sloppy play and penalties kept the game scoreless.

A Zane Gonzalez field goal gave the Panthers the lead to open the second quarter, but the Patriots offense finally found a spark courtesy of running back Rhamondre Stevenson

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1457420722016489472?s=20

https://twitter.com/SweetFeet_White/status/1457420871107231756?s=20

The play helped set up a Damien Harris touchdown to give the Patriots a 7-3 lead.

https://twitter.com/PatsBuzz/status/1457421305221894152?s=20

https://twitter.com/SweetFeet_White/status/1457421149911064577?s=20

From @ESPNStatsInfo: Damien Harris now has 5 straight games with a rushing TD, the longest streak by a Patriots player since LeGarrette Blount in 2016 (also 5 straight)

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 7, 2021

The Panthers would answer with another field goal on the ensuing drive to draw within one at 7-6, but once again it was the Patriots running backs delivering big plays.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1457427365294903305?s=20

https://twitter.com/SweetFeet_White/status/1457426486768640009?s=20

The Bolden reception contributed to another Patriots scoring drive just before halftime when Mac Jones found Hunter Henry in the end zone to increase the lead to 14-6.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1457429289096433672?s=20

Spike it, @Hunter_Henry84!#BudLightCelly | @budlight pic.twitter.com/gAGYP2wgGi

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 7, 2021

From @ESPNStatsInfo: Mac Jones' 2nd quarter TD to Hunter Henry was his 6th to a TE this season, currently tied for most in the NFL (Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz the others).

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 7, 2021

USA Today with a great snapshot of this Rhamondre Stevenson stiff-arm. pic.twitter.com/rQfoRXO09t

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) November 7, 2021

In the third quarter, it appeared Sam Darnold was going to get the Panthers back in the game, J.C. Jackson had other ideas.

Jackson, aka “Mr. Int” picked off Darnold and returned it 88 yards to the house to give the Patriots some much-needed second-half breathing room by pushing the lead to 21-6.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1457437539988647940?s=20

LISTEN: @BobSocci and @scottzolak with the call of JC Jackson’s Pick Six in Carolina pic.twitter.com/GhnMZZQmm5

— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) November 7, 2021

https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Jones2/status/1457437131090108423?s=20

Mr. Interception #LFG

— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) November 7, 2021

Mr. Int back at it again

— James White (@SweetFeet_White) November 7, 2021

J.C. Jackson had more yards on that pick-six (88) than Sam Darnold has in this game (78).

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) November 7, 2021

Seemed like Bill Belichick ALMOST smiled after seeing that pick-six from J.C. Jackson. Almost. pic.twitter.com/bLYOjpG32Y

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) November 7, 2021

With the clock winding down on the third quarter, the Patriots defense again gave Sam Darnold “ghost” flashbacks when Jamie Collins hauled in one of the most athletic interceptions you’ll ever see.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1457439510468481031?s=20

https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Jones2/status/1457439266011762689?s=20

With that pick, Jamie Collins has now has at least one interception in eight straight seasons. The only year he didn't have one was his rookie season in 2013.

— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) November 7, 2021

Jamie Collins, are you kidding me? pic.twitter.com/emboqH4TS0

— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) November 7, 2021

The Patriots capitalized on the turnover with a Nick Folk field goal to extend their lead to 24-7 as the defense closed the game out in the final quarter.

“Mr. Int” would record his second clutch interception of the day following this Darnold toss to the end zone.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1457444116997066759?s=20

…. pic.twitter.com/baNfuTkMLz

— Julian Edelman (@Edelman11) November 7, 2021

Sam Darnold in his career vs. the Patriots:

1 touchdown
9 interceptions
Zero wins

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) November 7, 2021

https://twitter.com/MikeReiss/status/1457444580597579783?s=20

Leading by 18, Jones got to exit the game early for Brian Hoyer and the Patriots would go on to win their straight game by a final score of 24-6 and come within one of the first place Buffalo Bills following their upset loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Patriots will return home to take on the 5-4 Cleveland Browns this Sunday afternoon.

Mac Jones' day is over. Brian Hoyer now in at QB.

Jones finished 12-for-18 for 139 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, with just one completion after halftime.

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) November 7, 2021

https://twitter.com/Ryan_Spags/status/1457452078494793728?s=20

Big Dub! LFG

— Davon Godchaux (@ChauxDown) November 7, 2021

Love RKK ?? https://t.co/cWhj42HmvZ

— The Gilly Lock (@BumpNrunGilm0re) November 7, 2021

With the man of the hour, JC Jackson #Patriots pic.twitter.com/ALpt1EyCUu

— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) November 7, 2021

Feels GOOD. Gotta keep it rollin’@McCourtyTwins | #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/gBYqXOkLZw

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 7, 2021

Patriots QB Mac Jones joins Andrew Luck (2012) and Dak Prescott (2016) as the only rookies since the merger to have 5+ wins, 10+ pass TD and 2,000+ pass yds in their first 9 career games

— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 7, 2021

https://twitter.com/NVBentley33/status/1457483575113273348?s=20