Studs duds New England Patriots upset Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night

The New England Patriots pulled off a surprising upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, improving their season record and showcasing standout players.

The New England Patriots pulled off a stunning upset win against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 21-18 victory at Acrisure Stadium. Despite missing key players like Rhamondre Stevenson, DeVante Parker, and Kayshon Boutte, the Patriots rallied around quarterback Bailey Zappe for their best performance since their win over the Buffalo Bills back in October. This win put an end to their five-game losing streak and improved their season record to 3-10.

Running back Ezekiel Elliott was a standout player, scoring a touchdown and proving his reliability as a running back with 22 rushes for 68 yards and seven receptions for 72 yards. Safety Jabrill Peppers also made impactful plays, including an interception on Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky, showcasing his significant improvement this season. Tight end Hunter Henry had a standout performance with two touchdown passes, making him a reliable pass-catcher for the Patriots.

However, there were also some areas of concern. Special teamer Brenden Schooler's unnecessary roughness penalty and Ty Montgomery's struggle to defend against Steelers special teamer Miles Killebrew highlighted issues with the Patriots' special teams. Cornerback J.C. Jackson had a rough night, giving up a touchdown and a defensive pass interference penalty, while linebacker Jahlani Tavai was a standout player with a strong effort, leading the Patriots' defense with 15 tackles. Jonathan Jones also stood out with an incredible performance against the Steelers' receivers.

Overall, the Patriots' victory against the Steelers was a surprising and impressive feat, demonstrating the team's resilience and the ability of lesser-known players to step up in crucial moments.