In honor of the New England Patriots’ 21-18 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday night, Tony Mazz ranked New England’s best wins over the Black and Gold.
Notes from Thursday night’s game:
- The Patriots snap a five-game losing streak with their win over the Steelers. They had not won since defeating the Bills back on October 22.
- Zappe completed 19-for-28 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown. Mac Jones backed up Bailey Zappe for the second-straight game.
JuJu Smith-Schuster played well, catching four passes for 90 receiving yards.
Zeke Elliott had 140 scrimmage yards. - Jabrill Peppers made a nice defensive play by intercepting Mitch Trubisky and returning the ball for 32 yards.
- Neither team scored in the 3rd quarter.
- The Patriots will host the Chiefs next week. The game was originally scheduled for “Monday Night Football.” The game was subsequently flexed into a 1 p.m. start time this Sunday.
- New England is now 3-10 on the season. Accounting for strength of schedule, they are still in position to make the second pick of next year’s NFL Draft.
- The Patriots have four games remaining on their schedule: Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos (Christmas Eve), Buffalo Bill, and New York Jets.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots embrace after the game at Acrisure Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Each week Tony Mazz ranks different aspects of the NFL. Instead of ranking teams this week, Mazz ranks some of the Patriots’ best wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bill Belichick, as Patriots head coach, has faced the Steelers 18 times. The coach has gone 14-4 in those contests.
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27 Jan 2002 : David Patten #86 of the New England Patriots looses a pass against an interception by Dewayne Washington #20 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Patriots won 24-17. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Tier 1
- 2001 AFC Championship Game, 24-17 — @ Pittsburgh
- 2005 AFC Championship Game, 41-27 — @ Pittsburgh (#1 Defense)
Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots runs upfield after a catch as Sean Davis of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts a tackle in the first half during the game at Heinz Field on December 17, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Tier 2
- September 9, 2002 — Patriots win, 30-14 (Opening night, Super Bowl banners go up)
- Week 9, 2010 — Patriots win, 39-26 (Gronk scores three touchdowns for breakout game)
- Week 15, 2017 — Patriots win, 27-24 (Jesse James game)
Jan 22, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; The New England Patriots offense lines up against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Tier 3
– September, 25, 2005 — Patriots win, 23-20 (Vinatieri field goal with one second left)
– Week 13, 2007 — Patriots improve to 13-0
– Week 1, 2015 — Patriots win, 28-21 (Game was never close and Patriots raise another banner)
– 2017 AFC Championship game — Patriots win, 36-17 (Brady passes for 384 yards, 3 Touchdowns)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 07: Bailey Zappe #4 of the New England Patriots throws the ball in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 07, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Tier 4
– Week 7, 2016 — Patriots win, 27-16 (Steelers fall to 4-3, Patriots move to 6-1)
– Week 1, 2019 — Patriots win, 33-3 (Another banner raised for Patriots)
– Week 14, 2023 — Patriots win, 21-18 (Zappe throws for three touchdowns during Thursday Night Football)
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 13: Mitch Trubisky #10 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium on August 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
Tier 5
– 2013 — Patriots win, 55-31 (Pats move to 7-2 on season, Steelers fall to 2-6)
– Week 2, 2022 — Patriots win, 17-14 (Pats barely edge out Mitch Trubisky in Pittsburgh
