In a matchup of former backup quarterbacks, the New England Patriots broke a five-game losing streak by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-18 on Thursday night.

The Patriots had scored 13 points in their previous three games and had the worst record in the AFC, but they put a dent in Pittsburgh’s playoff chances as Bailey Zappe threw three first-half touchdown passes.

Zappe took over for former Alabama All-American Mac Jones as New England’s No. 1 quarterback on Sunday, and even though the Patriots lost 6-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers, he got another chance on Thursday night.

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Zappe responded by completing 19-of-28 passes for 240 yards with three touchdowns and one interception as New England had the second-highest point output of its 13 games this season.

Pittsburgh tried to climb out of a 21-3 hole with Mitch Trubisky making his first start of the season at quarterback after Kenny Pickett suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Like the Patriots, the Cardinals had a 2-10 record when they beat the Steelers.

An interception put Pittsburgh at the New England 16-yard line late in the third quarter, but the Steelers got stopped downs. Pittsburgh got another chance from the Patriots 26 on a blocked punt and cashed in that time to cut the lead to three points with 11:44 remaining.

But on three more possessions, the Steelers never snapped the football in New England territory.

Trubisky completed 22-of-35 passes for 190 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Ten players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field during the New England-Pittsburgh game:

· Steelers defensive tackle Montravius Adams (Auburn) made two tackles. Adams had missed the previous four games because of an ankle injury.

· Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander (Oxford) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· Patriots center Jake Andrews (Stanhope Elmore, Troy) did not record any stats.

· Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore (Alabama) made four tackles and shared a sack.

· Patriots quarterback Malik Cunningham (Park Crossing) dressed for the game but did not play. New England elevated Cunningham from its practice squad to make him eligible for Thursday night’s game.

· Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama) started at free safety for the Steelers. Fitzpatrick made five tackles and recorded one tackle for loss.

· Najee Harris (Alabama) started at running back for the Steelers. Harris ran for 29 yards on 12 carries and caught three passes for 19 yards.

· Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama) started at linebacker for the Patriots. Jennings made four tackles and recorded three tackles for loss. Before Thursday night, Jennings had never had more than one tackle for loss in a game and had totaled six for his career.

· Jonathan Jones (Auburn) started at left cornerback for the Patriots. Jones made five tackles on defense and one tackle on special teams.

· Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (Alabama) dressed for the game but did not play.

· Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (Enterprise, Troy) is on injured reserve and not eligible to play.

· George Pickens (Hoover) started at wide receiver for the Steelers. Pickens had five receptions for 19 yards.

· Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace (Alabama) made one tackle.

· Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson (Carver-Montgomery, Alabama) made three tackles, recorded one sack and broke up one pass. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Wilson tackled Pittsburgh running back Jaylen Warren at the New England 7-yard line for a 1-yard gain on a fourth-and-2 reception. Wilson knocked down a pass with the Steelers at the Patriots 1-yard line, but Pittsburgh scored its final touchdown on the next play.

At noon CST Dec. 17, Pittsburgh (7-6) visits the Indianapolis Colts and New England (3-10) hosts the Kansas City Chiefs.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.