New England Patriots shock Pittsburgh Steelers with upset 21-18 victory… Bailey Zappe throws for three touchdowns after starting over Mac Jones
- Bailey Zappe started for Mac Jones and threw three touchdown passes.
- The Patriots improve to 3-10, while the Steelers are now 7-6 in a tight AFC race.
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The New England Patriots picked up a 21-18 upset win on the road Thursday night over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
New England improved to 3–10 while Pittsburgh fell to 7–6 in a tight AFC playoff race.
The Patriots led 21–3 midway through the second quarter and, despite going scoreless for the final 37 minutes of the game, held on for the win.
The Steelers’ loss moved them from fifth place in the AFC standings to eighth place, the best position for a non-playoff team.
Considering how crowded the conference Wild Card field will be, a loss to one of the worst teams in the NFL at home may have hurt the Steelers’ chances of making the playoffs.
New England Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe scored three touchdowns in the game.
Zappe started the game, replacing Mac Jones, who had controlled the Patriots’ starting job the last three seasons.
Jones has been terrible this season, with New England’s offense stagnant and him winning just two of his dozen starts. Zappe is now 1-0 to start this season.
At 3-10, New England is still the worst team in the AFC.
Pittsburgh has lost three of its last four games with four games remaining in the regular season and its schedule continues unabated.
Next week, the Steelers play on the road against the Indianapolis Colts and then host the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pittsburgh then closes out the season with a pair of games on the road against the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens.