JOE HADEN
Cornerback
From an examination of the statistics, the case can be made that Joe Haden didn't do much of significance vs. the Ravens at Heinz Field. But when what he did is put into the context of how the game unfolded and into the context of the final arithmetic on the scoreboard, what he contributed was nothing short of critical.
In a 19-14 victory over the Ravens at Heinz Field that raised their record to 11-0, the Steelers scored two touchdowns, and Haden accounted for the first of those with a 14-yard pick-six in the first quarter. Any time a defense scores a touchdown, it's an impact play, and in a gamein which the Steelers offense was having trouble getting out of its own way, that defensive touchdown likely saved the day. In addition, Haden had two tackles, including one for loss, and was part of a secondary that limited the Ravens to 90 net yards passing.
Haden is the Steelers Digest Player of the Week.
Also considered were Benny Snell, who had 93 yards from scrimmage (60 rushing and 33 receiving), and 10 of those rushing yards sent the Steelers into victory formation; T.J. Watt, who had seven tackles, including three for loss, two sacks, and three hits on the quarterback; and Minkah Fitzpatrick, who had three tackles and three passes defensed, including one on the final play of the first half when he stripped the ball loose from Luke Wilson in the end zone to save a touchdown.
