[nesn_embed service=springboard src="http://cms.springboardplatform.com/embed_iframe/899/video/1559509/nesn039/nesn.com/10"]

For just over three hours, all was well in Patriot Nation.

The New England Patriots unveiled their fourth Super Bowl banner at Gillette Stadium, the Dropkick Murphys and T-Pain tore down the house, and quarterback Tom Brady, fresh off an overturned suspension, was nearly perfect in their 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It being Week 1 and all, there were some obvious issues, but there was never any doubt the Patriots were going to win this one.

Here are five Patriots who shined Thursday night in the NFL kickoff game:

TOM BRADY
What lawsuit? What scandal? What distractions?

Brady went 25 of 31 for 288 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. With the Deflategate scandal over (for now), Brady was his usual dominant self in the Patriots' season opener.

Brady didn't have his two favorite weapons this summer, tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Julian Edelman, but there was no time needed to knock off the rust in the season opener. Edelman caught 11 passes for 97 yards, and Gronkowski dominated.

It's official: Brady is in "eff you" mode.

ROB GRONKOWSKI
Opposing defenses must have nightmares before playing Gronkowski. The big tight end is nearly uncoverabl.e

He scored three touchdowns on five catches for 94 yards and is officially on pace for 48 scores this season. If he played the Steelers every week, that might be attainable.

It's going to be very, very difficult for opposing defenses to cover Gronkowski and fellow tight end Scott Chandler, who had a touchdown for himself.

Gronkowski also came up big with a fumble recovery at the 6-inch line when running back Dion Lewis coughed it up after a 19-yard catch and run.

DION LEWIS
Lewis drew the start not only at third-down back, but also as the Patriots' primary ball-carrier.

He caught four passes for 51 yards and carried the ball 15 times for 69 yards. Lewis is incredibly difficult to bring down despite his small stature. He's slippery, and he has quick feet that can stop on a dime.

Lewis will likely maintain a big role in the Patriots' offense even when LeGarrette Blount comes back from his one-game suspension. It's Lewis' third-down role to lose.

TARELL BROWN
The veteran cornerback, who was signed right before training camp, was beat for two catches for 27 yards by Markus Wheaton on five targets. He also allowed a two-point conversion but was rarely targeted as Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger went 26 of 38 for 351 yards with a touchdown and interception.

Brown will start opposite Malcolm Butler this season, and while Butler has more upside, it's possible the veteran will be more consistent.

DONT'A HIGHTOWER
Hightower was solid against the run and made the most of his pass-rushing opportunities, sacking Roethlisberger.

He led the Patriots with eight tackles and received playing time over longtime Patriots captain Jerod Mayo in the "regular" and nickel defense. Jamie Collins was the lone linebacker in dime personnel groupings.

Hightower has emerged as one of the NFL's best linebackers over the past three years, and this game flashed his versatility, stuffing the run, rushing the passer and covering running backs out of the backfield.

Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images