The Patriots came bursting out of the gate with a rare and unexpected early touchdown vs. the Steelers.
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.
