PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – The Steelers beat the Carolina Panthers on Thursday 27-3 and Joe Starkey caught up with Mewelde Moore and Ike Taylor after the win.

Moore, a Steelers running back, talked about how the team has overcome all the adversity this season to win 11 games.

Moore said the Steelers are made up of veteran, hardened players and it makes it easier for a team when you have “starters and then starters-in-waiting.”

The team gets behind the leadership of Hines Ward and James Farrior, who are the mark of a “true Steeler,” Moore said.

Pre-season predictions had the team going 8-8. Taylor said he thought that was “crazy” and had no doubt they could win 11 games.

He said the Steelers will always rally when the are behind.

Every year, defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau reads “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” to the team. The annual tradition was held Thursday night at the team hotel.

Taylor talked about the atmosphere during the readings.