FOXBORO, Mass. — On a night their fans came poised to party and vent pent-up frustrations, the Patriots settled for coming ready to play. Together, the combination produced a victorious night, a celebratory scene, and a fairly convincing performance as Tom Brady and the defending Super Bowl champions unveiled more than just another banner at Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
Also put on display was the notion that there will be no hangover in Foxboro this season, not from New England’s fourth Super Bowl title, its draining seven-month-long Deflategate saga, or anything else that might serve to complicate the brand new 2015 season.