Safety Mike Mitchell Calls Steelers Defense 'A Tough Group to Beat'

Although their high-powered offense has fallen short of the hype, the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the AFC North at 5-2 with victories over each division competitor.

Credit the defense, which trails the Denver Broncos by less than a foot for the NFL lead in yards allowed per game. They have relinquished the third-fewest points per game (16.6) behind the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars, who are tied for the top spot at 15.7.

In an interview on Sirius XM NFL Radio, per its official Twitter page, free safety Mike Mitchell identified cohesiveness as the biggest key to the defense's success.

"When we communicate well and don't beat ourselves, we are a tough group to beat," Mitchell said. "We are a total team defense."

The Steelers have benefited from a soft schedule that has already pitted them against four bottom-10 offenses. Their Week 8 opponent, the Detroit Lions, ranks No. 26 in total offense, and they could face the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers without Andrew Luck and Aaron Rodgers, respectively, next month.

Buoyed by a flourishing pass rush and secondary, the Steelers should continue to capitalize.