At times this year the Steelers run game has been so invisable, it’s even made Willie Parker take his concerns to the media about it. Remember when Parker came out and said the team should run the football more? Well, those days seem long gone, as the team is back to doing what it always seemed to best – run, run, and when you think they will throw – run some more.
Sunday vs the Chargers in the divisional playoff game, Parker ran wild, playing by far his best game of year. He ran for 146 yards on 27 carries and two TD’s, and was a driving force each time he touched the ball. The 146 yards was the most for him since his 138 yard effort and three TD’s on opening day back in September vs the Texans.
Parker is back to being as close to 100 percent as he’s been all year, and it’s no wonder that over the last two games, vs Cleveland and San Diego, he’s run for a combined 262 yards on 50 carries and three touchdowns. The increased success in the run game has not only been a benefit to Parker, it seems to have given the O-line more confidence, and QB Ben Roethlisberger has been given more time to throw.
Roethlisberger has only been sacked twice in the last two games, and considering the three games before that he went down a total of 13 times, it’s a number that stands out about the Steelers offense and the play of the offensive line.
So now with a Ravens defense coming to town wanting to spoil the Steelers Super Bowl dreams, it may be up to Parker to have another big day to wrap up the AFC and quiet the Ravens and their defense. Parker didn’t play in the first game vs Baltimore, and had just 47 yards the second time, so there is no doubt, “Fast” Willie and the Steelers run game will have their work cut out for them on Sunday night.
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January 14, 2009 at 9:09 am
If FWP has abother big game, its a done deal. I dont expect another 146, but if the STeelers can have any success on the ground, just moving those chains on the 2nd and 4 and the 3rd and 2’s, it would mean a ton. Every one saw how efficient the team looked when they ran well. Ben with time, the line with confidence, the ability to go deep once in a while to keep the Ed Reeds of the world from dictating. This is all relative. Last week I said on this site that the Steelers offense was talented and ready to break out. Although I dont see another 35 this week, I do see 23 or 26 and the Steeler defense doing the rest.No turnovers would mean the world to the Steelers and since the Ravens depend so much on getting them and dictating the pace of a game, TD’s would frustrate the Ravens into submission. I dont see Flacco being able to win a game if the STeelers do not give him the ball in great field position.Make him drive on this Steeler D