For at least a night, the New England Patriots had naysayers on hush mode after marching into Acrisure Stadium and knocking off the Pittsburgh Steelers in a surprising upset win.
The victory came on a night when the Patriots were as limited as they’ve ever been at the skilled positions. There was no Rhamondre Stevenson, DeVante Parker or Kayshon Boutte in this matchup.
And it didn’t matter.
The Patriots offense rallied around quarterback Bailey Zappe and put together their best performance since their win over the Buffalo Bills back in October.
With the win, New England improved to 3-10 on the season and officially put an end to their five-game losing streak. Here are the studs and duds from the game:
RB Ezekiel Elliott: STUD
After being completely shut out by the Los Angeles Chargers last week, the Patriots came storming out for a first-drive touchdown on the road against the Steelers.
With so many receivers out, the Patriots did the one thing fans have been asking them to do since the start of the season: They fed Ezekiel Elliott. The former two-time NFL leading rusher hauled in a pass and carried it 12 yards for a touchdown to put the Patriots ahead early.
Zappe ➡️ Zeke! @baileyzappe04 | @EzekielElliott
📺: #NEvsPIT on @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/MB9eFOQWwj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 8, 2023
Despite the offensive struggles, Elliott has quietly been a reliable running back when called upon. If anything, he has shown he’s more than ready to carry the load with injured running back Rhamondre Stevenson out with a high ankle sprain. He finished Thursday’s game with 22 rushes for 68 yards, along with seven receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.
S Jabrill Peppers: STUD
Jabrill Peppers has been making plays all year long in the defensive backfield, and Thursday’s game against the Steelers was no different. His second quarter interception on Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky put the Patriots in position to score their second touchdown of the game on Pittsburgh.
🚨 INTERCEPTION 🚨 Jabrill Peppers takes it away!
(via NFL)pic.twitter.com/OcVYP04st0
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 8, 2023
There’s no question that Peppers is the most improved player on the Patriots’ roster. He went from being a rotational piece last season to being one of the most important defensive players on the field for the team in 2023.
He was my MVP for the Patriots in my midseason awards piece.
TE Hunter Henry: STUD
Hunter Henry celebrated a birthday and his best first half of the season against the Steelers defense.
WOW! 😱 Zappe to Henry AGAIN for another @Patriots TD#NEvsPIT on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0GJemAElFj pic.twitter.com/8kv5FZRGjb— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2023
The veteran tight end hauled in two touchdown passes against a secondary that was absolutely shredded by Zappe and company early in the game. There was a time when Henry was considered the Patriots’ most reliable pass-catcher.
That could once again start being the case with Zappe under center at quarterback.
ST Brenden Schooler: DUD
It wasn’t a good night for special teams, and it all started with a ridiculous unnecessary roughness penalty on Patriots special teamer Brenden Schooler.
There’s no denying Schooler’s talent, but he does have a tendency to make the sort of mistakes a player like Matthew Slater wouldn’t make. Look, it’s not fair comparing Schooler to the greatest special teamer of all time, but he’s also a player being groomed to step into Slater’s role when he retires.
He’s going to need to learn how to play with more control if he hopes to truly evolve into an elite player.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: STUD
This was the version of JuJu Smith-Schuster the Patriots hoped they’d get when they allowed Jakobi Meyers to walk out the door in free agency. The former Steeler looked more locked in than he’s been all season, racking up four catches for 90 yards.
Big gains for @TeamJuJu! ➡️#NEvsPIT on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0GJemAElFj pic.twitter.com/wXl4O31f6m— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2023
There have been some injury concerns with Smith-Schuster, but he’s still only 27 years old with plenty left in the tank in a more competent offense. At the very least—as has been the case with DeVante Parker—he looked significantly better catching passes from Bailey Zappe than he did from Mac Jones.
QB Bailey Zappe: STUD
Bailey Zappe was cooking under center in the first half of Thursday’s game, throwing for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
.@Patriots make use of the interception quick! Zappe to Henry for the TD 🙌#NEvsPIT on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0GJemAElFj pic.twitter.com/sMZTrR0LRv— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2023
Keep in mind, the Patriots were down multiple offensive weapons in this game. Yet, even with a less than stellar cast of skilled players, Zappe was dropping dimes right out of the gates against Pittsburgh.
Things did slow down a bit in the second half, but the Patriots’ second-year quarterback never lost his composure. He played a smart and mostly clean game, outside of one interception.
ST Ty Montgomery: DUD
The punt protection for Bryce Baringer was shaky early in the fourth quarter, which opened up an opportunity for Steelers special teamer Miles Killebrew to make a play.
He powered his way into the backfield and got a hand on Baringer’s punt to put the Steelers in great field position and cut into the Patriots’ lead. Ty Montgomery tried to hold off Killebrew, but it wasn’t much of a fight.
Blocked kick by Miles Killebrew! Things are getting wacky in Pittsburgh… #NEvsPIT on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0GJemAElFj pic.twitter.com/doz8TYddyo— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2023
Special teams has typically been a strength for the Patriots over the years, but things have been shaky with the unit this season.
CB J.C. Jackson: DUD
It was a rough night for Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson, who gave up a touchdown to Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson in one-on-one coverage.
Trubisky connects with @Juiceup__3 in the end zone! #NEvsPIT on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/0GJemAElFj pic.twitter.com/3chiKFkfoc— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2023
He also got called for a defensive pass interference penalty that ruined a would-be interception.
Since returning to New England, Jackson has been a streaky player in the secondary. There are weeks when he plays so well that it looks like he never left the Patriots. But then there are games like the one he had against the Steelers, when he hurts the team with multiple mental errors.
LB Jahlani Tavai: STUD
Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai was all over the field on Thursday night. Granted, it was a strong effort all around by the Patriots’ defensive front, but Tavai was like a janitor cleaning up everything in sight.
He led the Patriots defense with 15 tackles on the night and proved why he remains one of the unsung heroes on the team. There’s nothing flashy about his game, but he has remained a calm and consistent presence at the second level for New England.
That’s as good as it gets for a Bill Belichick-coached defense.
CB Jonathan Jones: STUD
Jonathan Jones is back for another week as a stud after an incredible performance against the Steelers. He didn’t have an easy matchup with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens at receiver, but he competed valiantly and helped hold both players in check on key plays in the game.
Should there have been a pass interference on Jonathan Jones here? #NFL #Patriots pic.twitter.com/rfTc6ILgrz
— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhiferNFL) December 8, 2023
Some might have felt like the above play was pass interference, but from this vantage point, it just looked like a great defensive play from Jones.
You won’t find a cornerback in the league that plays with more heart. Jones might be undersized at the position, but he consistently plays like a giant when it matters most.
