Quarterback Bailey Zappe had the Patriots looking like a completely different team in the first half of his second start of the season Thursday night in a 21-18 win over the Steelers.

Zappe won’t be losing his grip on the starting job anytime soon after going 14-of-21 for 196 yards with three touchdowns in the first half. Zappe’s performance through two quarters was as surprising as it was impressive just one game after the Patriots were shut out at home by the Chargers with him at the helm.

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Zappe and the offense did eventually slow down in the close game, however. It might take another start like Thursday night’s to incite any actual “Zappe Fever.” The Patriots are now 3-10 on the season.

The Patriots came out firing out of the gate as Zappe led the team on an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive that culminated with Zappe’s first touchdown pass of the season, an 11-yarder to running back Ezekiel Elliott, filling in as a starter for injured Rhamondre Stevenson. The biggest play of the drive was a 37-yard hookup between Zappe and JuJu Smith-Schuster for the wide receiver’s longest catch of the season.

The former Steelers receiver continued to play a bigger role with wide receivers DeVante Parker, Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte all out and Kendrick Bourne on injured reserve. He caught three passes for 82 yards in the first half.

The Patriots’ defense bent but didn’t break on their first series, allowing Steelers quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to lead the offense on a seven-play, 20-yard drive that ended with a 56-yard field goal from veteran kicker Chris Boswell.

After two Patriots punts, Zappe continued his scoring ways when safety Jabrill Peppers handed the offense a short field by intercepting Trubisky. The QB connected with tight end Hunter Henry on an 8-yard touchdown completion.

After a three-and-out, the Patriots scored again midway through the second quarter. It took just four plays for Zappe to lead his offense down the field thanks to a 28-yard completion to Smith-Schuster. He hit Henry for the birthday boy’s second touchdown catch on an impressively placed and caught 28-yard completion.

The Steelers responded with their own touchdown on their next drive, an eight-play, 70-yard series. Trubisky hit wide receiver Diontae Johnson on a deep 25-yard completion over Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson for a touchdown.

The early portion of the second half didn’t produce any points, but it was eventful. Zappe was intercepted near the end of the third quarter when he threw behind Smith-Schuster. The ball was deflected by linebacker Elandon Roberts into the arms of linebacker Mykal Walker.

The Steelers went for it on their ensuing drive on fourth-and-2 from the Patriots’ 8-yard line but couldn’t convert after linebacker Mack Wilson made a key stop on running back Jaylen Warren.

The Patriots went three-and-out before Bryce Baringer’s punt was blocked.

The Steelers took advantage of the short field with a four-play, 26-yard drive ended with a QB sneak from Trubisky for a 1-yard touchdown. The Steelers benefitted from a defensive pass interference penalty from Jackson, his second of the game. A two-point conversion cut the Steelers’ deficit to 21-18.

The game only got stranger.

The Patriots were forced to punt, and the Steelers looked primed to at least tie the game. They converted on fourth-and-1 with a QB sneak from Trubisky. Then it looked like they would get an extra set of downs later on fourth-and-3 from the Patriots’ 38-yard line when a flag was thrown for movement before a punt. Both teams assumed Patriots linebacker Jahlani Tavai was being penalized for offsides. Steelers punter Pressley Harvin was celebrating, and Tavai looked despondent. But Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz was actually flagged for a false start.

The Patriots went three-and-out after the Steelers’ punt. The Steelers went for it on fourth down again on their next drive, but Trubisky chucked it deep to Johnson on fourth-and-2. The pass was well-covered by Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones and fell incomplete.

A false start from Henry pushed the Patriots back on the first play of their final offensive series. The Patriots tried a tush-push style QB sneak on third-and-1 but couldn’t convert and were forced to punt.

The Steelers made a valiant effort on their final drive with 22 seconds on the clock and 87 yards to go but could only pick up 45 yards as the Patriots squeaked out a victory.

BEST

QB Bailey Zappe: Despite his interception, there was much-improved quarterback play for the Patriots in Zappe’s second start of the season. He finished 19-of-28 for 240 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster: The former Steeler had his most productive game of the season with four catches on six targets for 89 yards.

TE Hunter Henry: Henry caught two touchdown passes on his 29th birthday. Overall, he caught three passes on three targets for 40 yards.

S Jabrill Peppers: Peppers came up big with another takeaway. He has two interceptions, a forced fumble and fumble recovery this season after Thursday night’s pick.

WORST

CB J.C. Jackson: The veteran cornerback was in coverage on a 25-yard touchdown catch by Johnson. He was also flagged for defensive pass interference twice.

Special teams: Core special teamer Brenden Schooler was flagged for unnecessary roughness. Baringer also had a punt blocked off of a missed block from Ty Montgomery.