On Deck: Defensive players are MVP caliber

MVP talk in the NFL always revolves around the offense.

If this year has proven anything, defensive players are just as important.

Let's pay no heed to the slumping Bears and how they're missing defensive captain Brian Urlacher this year, as has been a trend of late. Let's focus on the Steelers.

The defending Super Bowl champs have lost two straight without Troy Polamalu. They have a losing record without him - which has been more frequent this year than games he's played, explaining their pedestrian 6-4 mark.

You would like to think the defense could survive the loss of just one player. But try telling that to Pittsburgh fans, who had to watch their team lose in Kansas City. The only team to lose in the past year in Kansas City has been the Chiefs. Before Sunday, anyway.

It goes against the common thought, but one defensive player can make a big difference.