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Steelers Insider Ed Bouchette Talks Steelers Defense Without Troy Polamalu

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Ed Bouchette joined the Starkey and Mueller show for his weekly segment and talked about the Steelers defense creating turnovers again, life without Troy Polamalu and the Steelers odds of winning the AFC North.

Starkey and Mueller opened things up asking Bouchette if the pressure the Steelers are getting on the quarterback is leading to the team's recent hot streak.

"Well, that was textbook when James Harrison put some heat on Flacco the other day and he threw poorly and Worilds intercepted it; that was the reason why it was thrown poorly and they came up with the interception," Bouchette said.

He added that "sacks aren't always the greatest thing, sometimes good pressure is better than a sack because it could lead to a turnover and that was the case there."

The Steelers have forced 10 turnovers during the past five games after forcing only three during his first four games.

Bouchette spoke about defensive captain Troy Polamalu missing the game on Sunday due to his knee injury and he thought that the defense will be fine without one of their stalwarts.

"Three, four years ago people would be apoplectic about this injury to Troy Polamalu, but to me, I think they are better with Will Allen in there, I think Will Allen is a better cover safety than Tray Polamalu," said Bouchette.

Bouchette said despite the Steelers recent surge, he still thinks that at this point in the season, the Cincinnati Bengals is the favorite to win the AFC North.

"They have beaten Baltimore twice, if they win tonight they would have a half-game lead," he said.

However, he thinks that the Steelers could compete with the Bengals and win the division.

"The way that the Steelers are playing right now I would not discount them being able to beat Cincinnati, at least split with them and maybe win two of these (games)."

Click the audio link below to hear the full interview:

Steelers Insider Ed Bouchette

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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