Steelers Nation is mostly excited with the new acquisition of cornerback Joe Haden. The team had a weakness on the roster, they threw a name at the weakness and will see if he can help. Of course, while any Steelers fan will want to see a strong and complete season out of Joe Haden, the most attention will come when the team plays the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots.
These are the two teams they know that they have to beat every season to earn legitimacy across the NFL. Joe Haden played in three games against the Ravens and Patriots combined in 2016. The best game of his season and the worst game of his season were likely in this set of games. Now presenting, the good, the bad and the ugly from Joe Haden’s performances against the Steelers fiercest opponents.
Joe Haden vs. New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens: Good, Bad and Ugly
The Good
The best game of Haden’s 2016 season came in week two against the Baltimore Ravens. Haden picked off three passes all season. All three occurred against Joe Flacco and the Ravens. He caught a gimme in week 10, but in week two, arguably the two most impressive plays of his season occurred.
This brings back vintage Haden. He sits back, reads the play and times his jump perfectly. He totally baits Flacco into making the throw and gives himself momentum to run forward following the pick.
Haden had struggled with getting beat deep all season. However, on this play, he runs step for step with supposed big play threat Breshad Perriman. He reads the ball better, boxes out and makes the athletic play. This is a play that Ross Cockrell doesn’t make.
Haden also added four tackles, defended four passes and had his lowest completion percentage against in week two.
The Bad
While the Steelers have to love how he handled their primary rival, who they will face twice per year, they had to hate his performance against the Patriots just as much.
On the first offensive play of the game, the Patriots attacked Haden for a quick out route for 10 yards. This play could remind Steelers fans of almost every pass in the AFC Championship game.
From there, the Pats drew his eyes in and exposed him deep.
The Ugly
However, the worst came when the Patriots would catch Haden with his hand in the cookie jar. Twice the team caught Haden falling for a trap that led to scores.
Haden’s responsibility is the flat. Tom Brady looks Haden off into the end zone, and Haden takes the bait. Brady finds his flaring tight end Martellus Bennett for a much too easy touchdown.
Haden sniffs out the run and attacks. Unfortunately, he later learns he became the victim to a quick play action fake by Tom Brady. Bennett blows by Haden and before he realizes Bennett has no interest in blocking him Bennett is gone on his way to another easy touchdown.
Biting on a fake against the Patriots is a scene all too familiar to the Steelers.
The Patriots completed five passes Haden’s way. Two went for touchdowns, two went for first downs and Brady put up 122 yards targeting Haden. If the Haden trade was in part to remain atop of the AFC North, the mission may have been accomplished. Unfortunately, Haden has experiences with the Patriots that the Steelers have seen before.
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