![](https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/71/2023/12/USATSI_22057830_168403262_lowres-e1702002817375.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1)
Bailey Zappe is cooking in primetime.
The New England Patriots quarterback finished a shocking first half against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football with 196 passing yards and three touchdowns.
Things started off fast with Zappe linking up with running back Ezekiel Elliott for a touchdown on the first drive of the game, before coming back with consecutive touchdown passes to tight end Hunter Henry.
Zappe-Mania is running wild in Pittsburgh with the Patriots down to their bare bones at receiver. DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte were all ruled out for the game. But that hasn’t stopped Zappe from lighting up a struggling Steelers defense.
Here’s what fans were saying on Twitter about Zappe’s incredible first half:
Bailey Zappe is owning you in prime time. Couldn’t be me
— RJ (@Jimmie_DennyFan) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe tonight pic.twitter.com/tmlva1EkQb
— Wisconsin Homer (@wisconsintakes) December 8, 2023
Did someone forget to tell Bailey Zappe that the Patriots are tanking?
— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe must have watched Brady tape cause he’s DEALIN’
— 💵🇺🇸ice🏴💷 (@Cycokllr) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe is playing like Tom Brady against the Steelers
— James (@jayjayxmazoku) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe and Hunter Henry pic.twitter.com/8HjrdHMhEO
— Nick (@NotoriousFNTSY) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe praying on Mac Jones’s downfall in the locker room after every game pic.twitter.com/nhVYusMDNl
— 👑 𝓝𝓲𝓬𝓴 👑 (@neverbeenequal) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe playing a better game than Kenny ever has in his career
— Roddy (@RoddyThat) December 8, 2023
bailey zappe took the shutout last week as fuel for this game
— Mika Jones (@JonesMika8100) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe doing his best Brock Purdy impression
— Saul Goodman (9-3) (@SoCalNiners) December 8, 2023
The fact BAILEY ZAPPE looks this comfortable against the steeler defense tells us all something.. yes we are injured but even with 2nd teamsters is you prepare them properly they are in a better position to succeed
— ✨STEELER GANG WESTCOAST✨JAYLEN WARREN IS ELITE (@SteelerGangWest) December 8, 2023
Wild that Bailey Zappe is cooking that defense now. It was unstoppable earlier in the season
— Sammy (@sammy______G) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe is giving us hope again… #ForeverNE
— Austin Mendes (@AustinMendes20) December 8, 2023
Who knew Mac Jones was blocking the Patriots next hall of fame quarterback Bailey Zappe? #ThursdayNightFootball pic.twitter.com/hAa5PdGQ3s
— ksuwildcatsrock (@ksuwildcatsrock) December 8, 2023
I might actually owe Bailey Zappe an apology… I wasn’t aware he was built like that. He might actually got that dawg in him 👀😤#ForeverNE https://t.co/R2M0C7kEVK
— Tatum Pasta SZN (@BrianThePatsGuy) December 8, 2023
Sooo Bailey Zappe is the 2nd coming of Tom Brady
— Chef DF (@AyyChef) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe pic.twitter.com/8sOeHhOEMs
— Regulators Podcast (@RegulatorsPod) December 8, 2023
I get Pitt isn’t that good but whew Bailey Zappe might be him
— Jacob 🦃🦃 (@HokieFanatic22) December 8, 2023
Don’t need Maye when we have the 🐐 and QB1 of the future Bailey Zappe
— Jihad Vedder (@CTGorilla) December 8, 2023
Bailey Zappe with 3 TD passes?? Isn’t the Steeler’s D supposed to be good?
— Stephanie Renee (@srenee96) December 8, 2023
Everyone had Bailey Zappe as the top QB in fantasy football this week, right? pic.twitter.com/693dnCRkcr
— Nate Miller (@Miller_RotoDad) December 8, 2023
Looks like I shouldn’t be sleeping on Bailey zappe
— Tristan (@TristanSpoof) December 8, 2023