Patriots Show Gutsy Performance in Win over Steelers
The New England Patriots showcased their determination in a hard-fought 21-18 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite having little to play for other than pride, the Patriots proved that they can compete with any team in the league. While their execution and clutch plays have been lacking this season, they finally came through against the Steelers, albeit by a narrow margin.
New England Patriots
Bailey Zappe, the backup-turned-starter, delivered an outstanding performance, giving the Patriots their best quarterback play of the season. He became the first New England player since Tom Brady in 2018 to throw for three touchdowns in a first half. Zappe’s 37-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster on the third offensive snap was a pivotal play, as it was the Patriots’ first completion of 30-plus air yards this season. Tight end Hunter Henry also had a breakout performance, scoring two touchdowns on his 29th birthday.
Despite the win, the Patriots’ draft position took a hit. They are now tied with the Cardinals for the second overall pick. Their next game against the Chiefs will be a tough test.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ postseason hopes took a blow with their second consecutive loss to one of the league’s worst teams. Their offense struggled to handle the constant pressure from the Patriots’ defense, resulting in a disjointed effort. The defense, which had been solid, gave up 21 points to the last-ranked scoring team in the league.
The Steelers’ troubling trends continued, as they had issues getting lined up correctly on offense and fell behind by three scores for the second straight week. Former Steelers players, James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster, had standout performances against their former team, adding to the Steelers’ frustration.
Despite the loss, linebacker Elandon Roberts showed resilience and toughness, making crucial plays on defense. Miles Killebrew’s blocked punt provided a glimmer of hope for the Steelers, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their struggles.
The Steelers face a tough matchup against the Colts in their next game.