Afternoon, everybody, I'm Dan Kovachovich of D.K. Pittsburgh Sports, and I am not one of those people who consistently brings up that the Steelers have the NFL's highest paid defense.

But you know what? The Steelers have the NFL's highest paid defense. But you know what?

The Steelers have the NFL's highest paid defense.

And I recognize the value of Alex Highsmith and behind him, Nick Herbick.

I recognize that you need a right outside linebacker in your scheme.

And I recognize that Cam Sutton won't be back until after he finishes serving his eight

week suspension.

And that's about all that I'm willing to recognize as far as any potential excuse would be given for the way the defense has performed the past two weeks.

If that were to happen again, Sunday in Las Vegas.

This team will go from 3 and 0 to 3 and 3.

And you know what?

You can forget about casting them as any sort of contender in that case.

And I don't mean to be overstating the importance of a week six game, but that's not the way I'd be looking at this.

I'd be looking at this as weeks four through six.

I'd be looking at this as three eminently beatable opponents going at the Steelers and defeating them through what was not only supposed to be the Steelers' strength,

but was supposed to be, and fairly so, I think, one of the better defenses in the NFL.

Remember all that stuff?

After weeks two or three, how the Steelers had the best defense in the NFL?

I mean, arguably, they should have that.

Why do they have the NFL's highest paid defense?

Because they're not paying a quarterback.

I have no problem with it.

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