Willie Parker Takes Respect

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Willie Parker is kind of prophetic. Last week, he stated the obvious. And in the process he gave a glimpse at the Steelers’ game plan for today’s AFC Divisional Playoff game against the San Diego Chargers — run the football. It sounded pretty simple, especially considering the source, but things haven’t been that cut and dry for the Steelers’ ground game this season. They finished 23rd in the league with just over 100 ypg:

“If I was on the defensive side of the ball, I wouldn’t respect the running game because we haven’t been that successful this year. So we’ve just got to take our respect.”

And take that respect he did. In a 34-23 win over the Chargers, Willie carried the ball 27 times (the most carries he’s had since back in Week 2) for 146 yards and two touchdowns. It was Willie’s first time over 100 yards in a playoff game. That is Steelers football. That is certainly Steelers football in January. Considering what Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson did to Baltimore before he was injured yesterday, the Ravens should be taking notes for next weekend’s AFC Championship game. When the Steelers run the football successfully, they will also kill you with their play-action passing game. As the Steelers running game goes, so goes the Steelers. Therefore, to get to Super Bowl XLIII, Pittsburgh will need a healthy and productive Willie Parker.

Sources: NFL.com, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Photo: Newscom