BSJ Game Report: Patriots 21, Steelers 18 - New England survives as Zappe's big first half stands up

Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ win over the Steelers in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:

BOX SCORE

HEADLINES

Patriots hang on: It looked like the Patriots were going to roll to a big victory as they led 21-3 midway through the second quarter and with Mitch Trubisky playing QB like he was from WR (seriously, he was awful). But the Steelers scored before halftime, the Patriots started to revert to their previous do-no-right form with an interception and punt block, and the offensive playcalling got real conservative - some of it dictated by the game situation and Trubisky. But in the end, a Steelers team that lost at home to the 2-10 Cardinals on Sunday was just inept enough at QB and head coach, could not put it together to pull off the victory against another 2-10 team.

Zappe rips through Steelers in first half: In his second start of the season, Zappe looked comfortable, confident and played with swagger as he spread the ball around wide and deep to finish the first half 14 of 21 for 196 yards with three touchdowns. The 37-yard pass to Juju Smith-Schuster was a bit lucky - it was underthrown and Smith-Schuster made a hell of a tough catch - but his two touchdowns to Hunter Henry were perfectly played, and stepping up and delivering a big 28-yard pass to Smith-Schuster on 3rd and 3 were big-time plays.

"It comes from those guys, you know, they helped me out a lot," Zappe said of his confidence. "To be able to have this moment and have these guys be able to go out there and have a game that we had, you know, was awesome. And I think you know, as far as confidence that just comes from preparation of what you do in the week before. And also having confidence in these guys that these guys go and make plays like Juju, I mean, given those guys a chance, you know, that also gives you confidence when you see him go out and make a play. Then you're like, 'Alright, I'm gonna do it again.' And you know, it just continues to build over time."

Defense does its job: The Patriots dominated up front against the run (2.9 yards per carry) and executed some really nice pre- and post-snap read changes against a clearly confused Trubisky to limit the Steelers to 4 of 17 on third and fourth downs. Obviously Trubisky played a lot into this but getting a turnover early and short field for the Patriots offense's second touchdown was the type of thing that was not happening very much this season. It wasn't pretty in the second half, but they did their job again.

Patriots nearly fall apart: In the second half, the offense had drives with plays of 4, 4, 3, 5, 3 and 3. Zappe forced two balls, one of which was intercepted (shout out to Ezekiel Elliott for making the tackle). There were several penalties, the Patriots allowed a punt block and Bryce Baringer had some rough punts, including two touchbacks. The Patriots got the benefit of a curious false start called on the long snapper on 4th and 3, but it didn't amount to much.

TURNING POINT

The 24-yard shot play from Zappe to Henry where Zappe faked the bubble and then lasered the ball before the safety, and the sensational catch by Henry, which was a lot harder than people realize. At this point, Trubisky was not leading the Steelers to 21 points unless the Patriots threw up on themselves (which they almost did).

"To read that, you know, you've really done your whole life," Zappe said. "It's a pump screen, the corner drives it and the safety plays over top and kind of throw a hole shot. It wasn't much of a hole shot. I kind of left it a little bit inside but it was high enough to where it got over him and Hunter made a great catch."

SECOND GUESS

Basically everything Tomlin did in the second half. Dumb timeouts and decisions. Ridiculous playcalls. The Steelers came out like they didn't want to be there after playing uninspired against the Cardinals. George Pickens was dogging it all game. Steelers have some big-time issues.

I did not have a problem with the conservative second half by the Patriots offense. Got to play the scoreboard.

FIVE UP

Zeke Elliott: With Rhamondre Stevenson out, he barely came off the field and carried a big load with 22 carries for 68 tough yards, and a team-leading seven catches on eight targets for 72 yards and a touchdown. Oh, and he saved a TD on the interception. He did it all.

Bailey Zappe: Sure, he got a little tight in the second half but he was obviously ready for this chance and the Steelers defense, and he executed. Better yet, he inspired his teammates, who had more pep in their step. Finished 19 of 28 for 240 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT (115.2 rating).

Juju Smith-Schuster: 4 catches for 90 yards ... nice to see.

Hunter Henry: After being MIA for weeks, Henry looked like a force with two touchdowns and a tough third-down catch.

Jahlani Tavai: His game-high 14 tackles were emblematic of a lunchpail game from the defense.

THREE DOWN

JC Jackson: Got burned for a touchdown and had at least two pass interference penalties (maybe three).

Special teams: Had a punt blocked, Byrce Baringer was mostly bad again, Branden Schooler had another penalty and they should have been flagged for a big offsides on 4th and 3.

Sidy Sow: Seemed to have some really rough reps.

INJURIES

None that I can think of.

TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL REGRET LATER

It's Zappe's job for the rest of the season: Not that I personally thought Mac Jones should go back in unless the bottom fell out — Jones is broken — but with four games to play, there's no reason not to continue forward with Zappe. For whatever reason - and there could be many - he quite obviously can execute this offense at a much higher level at this point and he gets everyone involved.

Yes, it's fair to wonder why this wasn't done earlier: The Bills game changed a lot of things temporarily but there's little doubt in my mind that Jones should have gone to the bench after the Colts game and heading into the bye. He was done at that point. Anything more about Zappe and the job is a much larger conversation.