Here’s a quick rundown of the Patriots’ victory over the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
The Patriots quickly put points on the scoreboard and grabbed an early lead, which they maintained in the second half, eventually defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18. The win ended New England’s five-match losing streak and ensured Bayley Zappe’s first win of the season as an opening quarterback. Zappe started brilliantly, scoring three goals in the first half and bringing the team to life with well-done attacks. However, the second half faced challenges, with an interception and a blocked punt adding suspense to the final minutes of the game. The Patriots’ defense put up another solid performance, leaving the Steelers disappointed for most of the game. Despite some hiccups and special teams in the second half, the defense made crucial stops when needed and won. Here are the highlights of this victory:
- First Drive Score: The Patriots started the game with a strong drive, highlighted by Bailey Zappe’s 37-yard connection with Juju Smith-Schuster. The campaign concluded with an 11-yard touchdown welcome by Ezekiel Elliott, giving the Patriots an early 7-0 lead.
- Peppers Picks, Henry Scores: After several puns, the Jabril Peppers intercepted Trubisky, setting up Hunter Henry’s touchdown. The order gave the Patriots a 14-0 lead, surpassing their total points in the last three games.
- The Juju and Hunter Formula Keeps Working: With the defense dominating in the first half, Zappe continued to capitalize on ties with Juju Smith-Schuster and Hunter Henry. The Patriots raced to a 21-3 lead, leaving Steelers fans dissatisfied with their team’s slow start.
- Steelers Strike Back: Trailing 21-3, the Steelers gave Dionte Johnson a 25-yard touchdown pass from Trubisky. Despite this scoring play, the Patriots maintained a 21-10 lead by halftime, showcasing their best half of football in the 2023 season.
- Zappe Gets Picked, Defense Steps Up: In the third quarter, Zappe’s interception gave the Steelers a chance, but the Patriots’ defense thwarted their lead. The defense showed resilience and maintained their lead by making a crucial pause at number four.
- Special Teams Letdown: The Patriots’ offensive clashes and a blocking punt allowed the Steelers to narrow the gap to 21-18. Despite these setbacks, the defense continued the important game and won.
- Patriots are 3-10:The win broke the Patriots’ losing streak, extending their 2023 record to 3-10. Major contributions from Juju Smith-Schuster and Hunter Henry, along with a resilient defense, provided a glimpse of the complementary football that has defined the Patriots in recent years.
Despite a challenging second half, the Patriots’ defense played a crucial role in securing the much-anticipated win. The team is scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday at 1 p.m.