Joe Haden A Shutdown Corner When Asked To Shadow

It’s not often Joe Haden is asked to shadow an opponent’s top receiver. Just not how the Pittsburgh Steelers do business these days.

But when they do? Haden comes through in a big way.

Look at the last two games Haden has shadowed the opposing top receiver. Late last year against the Houston Texans and Sunday afternoon versus Atlanta, facing off against DeAndre Hopkins and Julio Jones. The results?

Hopkins: 4 catches, 65 yards, 1 TD

Jones: 5 catches, 62 yards, 0 TDs

Haden’s performance looks even better than those numbers.

Neither of those players caught a pass in the first half. Hopkins didn’t nab his first catch until there were 38 seconds left in the third quarter. Jones waited even longer,…