National Football League

Thursday Night Football live updates: Patriots hold off Steelers for 21-18 win

Updated Dec. 7, 2023 11:22 p.m. ET

Week 14 of the NFL season started with the New England Patriots holding off the Pittsburgh Steelers to win 21-18 at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday Night Football.

It's only the Patriots' third win of the season, and it came after they scored zero points in the second half following a three-touchdown outburst in the first half thanks in large part to quarterback Bailey Zappe and tight end Hunter Henry. The Steelers rallied in the second half, but backup Mitch Trubisky, starting for the injured Kenny Pickett, was unable to complete the comeback.

Here are the top moments!

New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

Big start for the Pats!

One week after getting shut out by the Chargers, Bailey Zappe marched New England down the field on the game's opening drive thanks to a big completion to Juju Smith-Schuster before finding Ezekiel Elliott on the swing route for an early touchdown score.

INT turns into TD!

The Patriots quickly made good when Jabrill Peppers picked off Mitch Trubisky, with Zappe connecting with Hunter Henry on a touchdown pass to give the tight end a special birthday present.

Look who's here…

As Trubisky struggles and boos rain down, there was a fan in attendance who knows a thing or two about playing quarterback for the Steelers.

What a throw, what a catch!

Zappe and Henry connected for their second touchdown of the night in beautiful fashion.

Steelers get back in it!

Pittsburgh clawed back — and helped hit the over in the first half thanks to a historically low point total — with a nice throw from Trubisky to Diontae Johnson.

Heyward bros balling out!

A nifty hurdle from tight end Connor Heyward and a big sack from his big brother, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, had the Steelers showing signs of life to begin the second half.

Picked off!

The Steelers finally got their own interception on Zappe, setting them up deep in Patriots territory.

Big stop!

Pittsburgh went for it on fourth-and-2, and the Patriots defense got the stop.

Getting wacky in Pittsgburgh!

The Steelers got another start of posession deep in Patriots territory after a blocked punt.

Mitch does it himself!

Trubisky punched it in for the touchdown, then hit Pat Friermuth for the two-point conversion to bring Pittsburgh within a field goal.

Steelers clawing back!

A look at how Pittsburgh got back in this game.

Not the prettiest game…

Stay tuned for updates!