The Patriots came out of the gate firing and putting points on the scoreboard, building an early lead that they were able to hang on to through the second half, knocking off the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18.
The win breaks New England's five-game losing streak and gives Bailey Zappe his first win as a starting quarterback this season. Zappe was outstanding early, throwing for three first-half touchdowns as he brought the passing offense to life with some well-delivered strikes, though it was more of a struggle to move the ball in the second half, when an interception and blocked punt made things interesting down to the game's final minutes.
The Steelers have made a habit of digging themselves into holes this season. And more often than not, they had dug themselves out of them with a furious fourth-quarter rally.
Thursday night against the Patriots, they came up short.
Bailey Zappe threw three first-half touchdown passes, as the Patriots jumped out to a 21-3 lead on the Steelers en route to a 21-18 victory here Thursday night at Acrisure Stadium.
The loss, the second-in-a-row for the Steelers, drops them to 7-6 this season and puts any playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Steelers came into the game sitting in the 5th spot in the AFC playoff field. New England improves to 3-10.
Pittsburgh rose into contention by beginning the season 6-0 in games decided by eight points or less, a streak that included wins over AFC North rivals Cleveland and Baltimore, games in which the Steelers were outplayed and outgained but somehow not outscored thanks largely to the play of Defensive Player of the Year candidate T.J. Watt and some curious coaching decisions by the guys on the other sideline.
Fitzpatrick was by far the most critical of his own team's performance after the loss, but the message from coach Mike Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers was similar: The only thing they can do is get back to work.
The Patriots (3-10) scored a touchdown off an interception on a short field in the first half, the Steelers were turned away on a similar opportunity late in the third quarter.
With Mitch Trubisky starting in place of injured Kenny Pickett, the offense faltered early. It was Trubisky's first start since leading the Steelers to a win at Carolina in Week 14 of last season.
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