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          Bailey Zappe throws three TD passes to stake Patriots to big lead over Steelers

          Bailey Zappe marched New England down the field and helped the Pats to a 7-0 lead. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images
          • Mike Reiss, ESPN Staff WriterDec 8, 2023, 02:24 AM
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              Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has covered the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he was named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. You can follow Reiss on Twitter at @MikeReiss.
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          PITTSBURGH -- When the New England Patriots signed veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year, $3 million contract in August, it was to ensure the team was in good hands if something happened to top running back Rhamondre Stevenson.

          Elliott has delivered, with his 11-yard catch-and-run touchdown on the Patriots' opening drive against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday the latest example.

          In place of the injured Stevenson, who is out with a right high-ankle sprain, Elliott played all eight snaps on the opening 75-yard touchdown drive, and quarterback Bailey Zappe found him wide open on the right side and Elliott went in untouched for the score.

          It marked Elliott's first receiving touchdown in his last 30 games played. His last receiving touchdown came in Week 16 of the 2021 season vs. Washington.

          The Patriots had gone 13 straight games without a touchdown on their opening offensive possession, which tied the Carolina Panthers for the third longest active streak in the NFL after the Giants (20 straight) and Jets (18 straight).

          Furthermore, the Patriots became the first team to score on their opening drive after being shut out the week prior since the 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars.

          Elliott entered the night having played 38% of the offensive snaps, totaling 112 carries for 429 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 24 receptions for 154 yards.

          Elliott has had success in Pittsburgh in the past. In his rookie year with the Cowboys in 2016, he scored three touchdowns in a 35-30 win -- totaling 21 carries for 114 yards (2 TDs) and two receptions for 95 yards (1 TD).

          Zappe threw his second TD pass of the half in the second quarter, connecting with Hunter Henry on an eight-yard touchdown toss to help New England to a 14-3 lead.

          Moments later, Zapper his Henry again with a 24-yard scoring pass to enhance the Pats' lead to 21-3.