Steelers' backups maintain starter mentality

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is in the midst of an MVP-caliber season. The wide receiving corps is as deep and talented as it has been in recent memory. The defense ranks among the top five in the NFL in three major categories, including scoring.

But there is another reason why the Steelers (7-3) are tied with New England and Houston for the best record in the AFC. It can't be quantified, and Chris Hoke calls it winning the battle of "you versus yourself."

"Sometimes you go into the film room, 'Oh, I'm only going to play five snaps this game,' " the veteran nose tackle said, "but you've got to fight that, and you've got to study like you are going to play the whole game because you never know when somebody's going to go down."...........

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