Steelers News: Joe Haden finally living up to his contract status

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving into Week 15 of the NFL regular season, and as the team prepares for the Buffalo Bills we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the next game starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how Joe Haden, who was given a hefty new contract to start 2019, is finally living up to that monster deal.

Let’s get to the news:

• When the Steelers acquired Joe Haden they were thinking they received a ball-hawking cornerback who could transform the team’s secondary. It may have taken some time, but Haden is turning into that player at the best time for the black-and-gold.

Joe Haden brings splash, takeaways to Steelers defense in win against Cardinals

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The game summary will show that Joe Haden had two interceptions in the second half Sunday, the latter sealing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 23-17 victory against the Arizona Cardinals.

What it doesn’t show is the planning and preparation that went into the 30-year-old cornerback making those game-changing plays. Specifically, the film study that took place three days earlier and provided the impetus for Haden’s first multi-pick game in three seasons with the Steelers.

Ask defensive captain Cameron Heyward and he’ll tell you that Haden’s work in a post-practice meeting Thursday afternoon was as equally important as what transpired over the final 30 minutes at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

“It’s not odd that Joe is in the right place,” Heyward said after the Steelers intercepted Cardinals rookie Kyler Murray three times in the second half to win for the seventh time in the past eight games. “I’ve seen him prepare throughout the week.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Could the Steelers catch a break due to the Ravens’ success??

Steelers may catch a break if Ravens rest starters in Week 17

By: Michael David Smith, ProFootballTalk

The Steelers are currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff picture, and they’re right on the playoff bubble: Win at least two of their remaining three games and they’re in. Lose two and they’re probably out. Given that two of their final three opponents — the Bills and Ravens — have better records than the Steelers, it doesn’t look like an easy path to the postseason.

But Pittsburgh may catch a big break when it heads to Baltimore in Week 17.

That’s because the Ravens now have an excellent chance of clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs before Week 17. If that’s what happens, the Ravens would likely sit Lamar Jackson and other key players in the final game of the season, giving the Steelers a much easier path to the playoffs.

The Ravens get the Jets and Browns in their next two games, so it’s likely that they’ll win both games and have home-field advantage wrapped up before Week 17.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Is JuJu Smith-Schuster ready to return in Week 15?

JuJu Smith-Schuster eyeing a return next week

By: Darin Gantt

The Steelers have been rolling along all season without key parts, but could be getting a major one back soon.

Via Adam Schefter of ESPN, Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster “is eyeing a return” for next Sunday’s game against the Bills.

Smith-Schuster has missed the last three games with a knee injury.

The Steelers have won three straight in his absence — with the Duck taking wing — but would clearly like to have him back.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

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