Steelers finally slay Patriots dragon with one Joe Haden leap
The red zone jump with 7:43 left in the contest helped break a three-game losing streak, snap a four-game stretch without an interception and seal the franchise's first win over New England in six tries, 17-10.
“We call him Jumpman for a reason,” said corner Mike Hilton of Haden.
Then in the final seconds, with the Patriots facing fourth-and-15 at the 21, the Steelers batted down Tom Brady's pass over the middle and Heinz Field erupted.cheap nfl jerseys china nike
The Steelers kept a half-game lead in the AFC North and offered a reminder that they can cause havoc in the playoffs if they secure a bid.
During the week, Haden estimated the Steelers had dropped 10 interceptions this season and had to do something. Linebacker T.J. Watt said the defense had to "get some damn turnovers." This was a group that was tired of its three-game losing streak -- and exhausted from Brady torching the Steelers for 23 touchdowns over his previous eight games against them (seven of which were New England wins).
But when Brady moved to his right while sensing pressure on second-and-16, he lobbed what appeared to be a throwaway. Haden outleaped everyone, stopping the Patriots' momentum in scoring range.
The Steelers' offense did the rest, with a surprising star turn from rookie running back Jaylen Samuels, who finished with 142 rushing yards on 19 carries. Ben Roethlisberger converted a key third down with a deft scramble to his right, finding Samuels on a lob down the sideline.cheap nfl nike jerseys from china
Rookie receiver James Washington had his brightest moment with a team-high receiving yards, and eight different Steelers caught a pass.
“Plays were made today when they needed to be made,” Roethlisberger said. “It’s the time of year. We needed to win this football game against a really good football team.”
