As such, Bowen hails the Steelers as the team to beat in the AFC.

"I know it's a big statement to make, but if they can play the kind of defense they're capable of playing the rest of the season, they should roll through the AFC," Bowen said.

Based on Bowen's understanding of the Steelers defense, he believes the secondary fuels the league's top-ranked unit.

"In today's game, (cornerbacks) usually set the tone for the entire defense against both the pass the run," said Bowen, who played seven seasons with Washington, Green Bay, St. Louis and Buffalo. "There's something to be said for what I call 'setting the edge' on defense. If you don't have that edge set, it doesn't matter who you've got playing linebacker, it doesn't matter who you've got playing defensive end, who you've got playing safety. If they turn that corner in the NFL, that's a guaranteed 15-20 yard gain before someone gets there."

For years, cornerbacks were considered highly-paid ball hawks who avoided contact so they could make interceptions and break-up passes. Cornerbacks now are expected to force the run back inside toward defensive pursuit, as well as drop back in coverage.

"If you have an outstanding secondary, you can do a lot of things," Bowen said.

Case in point: Just as cornerback Ike Taylor feeds off strong safety Troy Polamalu's big-play ability, Polamalu, who leads the Steelers with five interceptions, benefits from Taylor's ability to force the run and defend the opponent's No. 1 receiver.

"It comes from us playing together for so long. I pretty much know what Troy's thinking, and he knows what I'm thinking," said Taylor, who entered the league with Polamalu in 2003. "Troy has a good feel for the game. He's so instinctive. He's just one of those special players."

Said Polamalu: "I honestly think that Ike is the best cover corner in the game. Just because they put him on the best receiver every week. He's not getting interceptions because teams aren't throwing (at) him that much, which is a testament to how good he is."

When Polamalu broke on the ball to intercept a pass from Cincinnati quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick near the end of Thursday's 27-10 victory, Taylor had dropped back in coverage.

"Anytime you have a talented corner like Ike Taylor with the type of safties they have in Pittsburgh, it makes the corners even better," Bowen said. "You see Troy Polamalu lined up all over the place. They can do that because they have the corners to do that. It allows you to be as creative as you want to be on defense."