It’ll be the battle of the backup quarterbacks on Thursday night when Bailey Zappe and the New England Patriots take on Mitchell Trubisky and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Zappe might be the only one that would take exception to the word “backup” after he replaced Mac Jones as the starter in last week’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots offense didn’t score a single point, and the team dropped its fifth consecutive loss. But the unit did perform better with Zappe under center, which really isn’t saying much.
Meanwhile, Trubisky came in and replaced the injured Kenny Pickett in a shocking loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. The Steelers will try to avoid back-to-back upsets when facing a Patriots team with the worst record in the AFC (2-10).
It’s also a Patriots team missing their starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson, and most talented wide receiver, Demario Douglas.
The Chargers’ pass rush had Zappe running for his life in the previous game with Khalil Mack having a game-wrecking performance. Steelers’ star pass-rusher T.J. Watt has to be licking his chops after watching the film from that game.
Even against a Steelers team reeling from an ugly loss, this is going to be a massive challenge for the Patriots’ makeshift offensive line. Here’s the full round-up of Patriots Wire staff picks for the Week 14 matchup:
Jordy McElroy (5-7) – Patriots 6, Steelers 13
Danny Jaillet (11-1) – Patriots 10, Steelers 17
Cam Garrity (6-6) – Patriots 6, Steelers 14
Michael Braithwaite (6-6) – Patriots 3, Steelers 13
Who are you taking in Thursday’s game? Can the Patriots’ offensive line keep the pocket clean enough for Zappe to make plays? Will Ezekiel Elliott have a big game as the primary running back? Can the Patriots defense wreck the game for Trubisky?
