Describe the game in two words: Zappe hour. Backup-turned-starter Bailey Zappe gave the Patriots their best quarterback play of the season, becoming the first New England player to throw for three touchdowns in a first half since Tom Brady in 2018. BAILEY ZAPPE TO HUNTER HENRY = TB12 TO GRONK VS STEELERS! W14 NFL TNF 2023 BAILEY ZAPPE TO HUNTER HENRY = TB12 TO GRONK VS STEELERS! W14 NFL TNF 2023 BAILEY ZAPPE TO HUNTER HENRY = TB12 TO GRONK VS STEELERS! W14 NFL TNF 2023 Pivotal play: Zappe's 37-yard pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster on the third offensive snap. It was the Patriots' first completion of 30-plus air yards on the season, as they were 0-for-18 on those throws entering the night, and it reflected their willingness to attack down the field. Buying a breakout performance, Part I: Tight end Hunter Henry scored two touchdowns on his 29th birthday. The captain has been a standup presence throughout a challenging season for the team and this was a just reward for him. He became the first Patriot to score a touchdown on his birthday since running back Dion Lewis on Sept. 27, 2015 (who did so on his 25th birthday). Henry became the fifth player over the past 30 seasons with two receiving touchdowns on his birthday, joining DeVonta Smith (2021 vs. Broncos), Jimmy Graham (2014 vs. Ravens), Terrell Owens (2003 vs. Cardinals) and Isaac Bruce (2002 vs. Chargers). Troubling trend: The Patriots entered the night with the No. 2 draft position behind the Bears (from Carolina), but with a win to improve to 3-10, they are now tied with the Cardinals. Buying a breakout performance, Part II: Veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott was a workhorse, starting in place of the injured Rhamondre Stevenson. He hardly came off the field, was a dual threat as a rusher and pass-catcher, and had a terrific hustle play to record a tackle on a Zappe interception. -- Mike Reiss Next game: vs. Chiefs (1 p.m. ET, Sunday, Dec. 17) via  @espn   @GmiasWorld  Social: Twitch-http://twitch.tv/GmiasWorld Facebook-http://www.facebook.com/GmiasWorld X-https://www.twitter.com/GmiasWorld Donate:https://streamlabs.com/gmiasworld Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/GmiasWorld GmiasWorld Merch: https://gmiasworld.myspreadshop.com Background Music (Exclusive) by @ZaneAlexanderNC #MADDEN24 #MADDEN24ULTIMATETEAM #GMIASWORLD