Photos from the Patriots – Week 1

A New England Patriots’ fan arrives in the rain for the Thursday night season kickoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Heavy rains kept the tailgating crowds down outside the stadium.

Patriots fan Clayton Witham, from Maine, holds up lobsters he brought as he spends time tailgating with friend in the Gillette Stadium parking lot.

Pittsburgh Steelers fan Andy Chancey and New England Patriots fan Chad Marchand tailgate together.

Bill Bamford waves a Patriots flag outside Gillette Stadium.

Roger Goodell said he would watch the game on TV — the first time as NFL commissioner he has missed the season opener.

A view of Gillette Stadium before the game.

A New England Patriots fan looks on while wearing a snorkel in the rain before the game.

The End Zone Militia enter the stadium.

Tom Brady enters.

Pregame activities before the Patriots play the Steelers.

The entire team takes the field.

Fireworks are ignited from Gillete Stadium during pregame ceremonies.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft hoists the Lombardi Trophy for his team’s win of Super Bowl XLIX as Patriots veterans hold the team’s other three Lombardi trophies before the game.

The Patriots unveil their Super Bowl XLIX championship banner.

Fans hold up a sign during the game.

Fans perform a card stunt honoring the Patriots’ Super Bowl XLIX championship.

Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo take the field before the game.

Tom Brady passes against the Steelers in the first half.

Rob Gronkowski scores a 16-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Gronk spike.

He’s back.

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the first half at Gillette Stadium.

Bill Belichick watches the action from the sideline.

Gronkowski scores his second touchdown.

“Where’s Roger?”

New England Patriots’ cheerleaders perform in the first half.

“Do your job … Goodell.”

Darrius Heyward-Bey of the Pittsburgh Steelers points to the endzone as an official gestures for an incomplete pass in the second quarter.

Danny Amendola of the New England Patriots dives and fails to make a catch in the first half.

Scott Chandler of the New England Patriots makes a catch for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Tom Brady calls signals at the line of scrimmage in the first half.

A fan holds a sign directed at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Julian Edelman signals he had enough on the reception for a first down on this reception in the fourth quarter.

Dion Lewis runs past Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier in the second half.

New England Patriots celebrate an interception by strong safety Duron Harmon during the fourth quarter.

“Hey Mr. Trump Tom Brady For V.P.”

Rob Gronkowski and Darrius Heyward-Bey speak after the Patriots defeated the Steelers 28-21.

Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots walks off the field.

Rob Gronkowski catches his third touchdown of the game.

Rob Gronkowski celebrates his first touchdown.