Willie Parker Returns Just in Time to Help Carry Steelers Over Chargers

Maybe Willie Parker's midseason knee injury will prove to be the key to the Steelers' postseason.

If it hadn't been for Parker's injury, the Steelers would have possibly never discovered that Mewelde Moore is a very reliable and very solid backup. They may have not figured out that Gary Russell is the team's best short-yardage back.

But most importantly, without that midseason five-game break, there's a good chance that Parker could be gassed at this point of the season. Instead, on Sunday he looked as fresh as he has in a couple of years as he consistently ran around and through the Chargers' defense. Parker's 146 yards against San Diego was his best game since he broke the Steelers single-game rushing record with 223 yards against the Browns back in December of 2006.

Parker had four runs of more than 10 yards, including a 27-yarder and a 16-yard touchdown that put the game away. But it was his tough inside running that may have been even more impressive. Parker's problem is that he often gets stuffed for lost yardage or no gain when not busting off big runs. On Sunday, he was tackled for a loss only once and only four of his 27 carries were for less than two yards.

The Steelers did show that the I-formation is back after being set aside by offensive coordinatior Bruce Arians for much of the season. Pittsburgh still stuck with the three wide receiver and two tight end sets for most of game, but when they needed to burn clock in the fourth quarter, they ran eighth straight plays out of the I-formation. On Parker's 27-yard run that helped put the game away halfway through the fourth quarter, fullback Sean McHugh sealed the inside by blocking two men to help free Parker.

Parker won't get nearly as much running room against the Ravens next week, but now that he has his speed back, the Ravens do have to worry about him breaking outside for a big gain, something that hasn't been a worry for most of the season.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-12-2009 @ 2:08AM

DB said...

The worst two calls I have ever seen took place this weekend. First, the NON call on Baltimore with 2 minutes remaining for taking two much time directly led to Baltimore scoring the game winning field goal. Second, in a very close game, the refs call a pass interference on San Diego putting the ball on the one foot line for Pittsburg and directly leading to an insurrmountable lead. (I watched 5 slow motion replays and there was no pass interference). Doesn't anyone watch these games anymore...or can the refs just do whatever they want and affect the outcomes. I am through watching pro football this year. When the refs decide the games, there is no reason to watch.

1-12-2009 @ 6:38AM

SteelerBunnie said...

There were some bad calls, but they certainly did not decide this game... You ask if anyone even watches these games... I have to wonder did you pay attention to how the game was won while you were watching?
Yes the ref's do whatever they want, it has been proven time & again. Once in awhile bad calls do decide a game, but not that often. You must be a fair weather fan DB, if you are really going to quit watching pro ball.
How sweet it was watching the Steelers play so beautifully on BOTH sides of the ball :o)
HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!!

1-12-2009 @ 5:03PM

DJ said...

WELL YOU DIDNT WATCH VERY WELL HE GRABED HIS LEFT ARM AS HE WENT FOR THE BALL AND THAT TURNED HIM JUST ENOUGH TO KEEP HIM FROM CATCHING IT AND ANY WAY THERE WAS NO WAY THE CHARGERS COULD EVEN CATCH UP WITH THE STEELERS THEY ARE NOT THAT GOOD

1-12-2009 @ 11:13AM

richard said...

grabbing and pulling away the receiver's left arm as he goes to catch the ball doesn't constitue interference? fascinating.

i've got a couple of suggestions. A) new glasses. B) stop drinking during the games. C) learn the rules

1-12-2009 @ 3:45AM

Ron Keller said...

It does seem that games are decided by the refs. But, are we 'side-line-quarterbacks.?

1-12-2009 @ 3:19AM

Cliff said...

Well its true some bad calls. And how about this no calls. The chargers held Harrison all game not one holding call. So lets call it even.

GO Steelers

1-12-2009 @ 4:26AM

G-man said...

Hey, not bad at all. Steelers winning a great divisional playoff round , after winning their division with a schedule that was considered the hardest in the league. These boys are for real ! ! The Steelers are definitely the NFL's new Poster Child for the Superbowl. God bless America !

1-12-2009 @ 9:13AM

mary said...

steelers all the way

1-12-2009 @ 9:26AM

Peter O said...

Regardless of whether the Steelers make it to the Super Bowl or not (and it will be a tough game against the Ravens), Mike Tomlin I think just earned tenure as the Steeler's coach. The Rooneys have always operated under the assumption that if you give a coach good players who play as a TEAM, he can mold them into championship-calibre. no a##hole, no eotistical prima-donnas ... just hard working team players. And once again we see validation of that assumption. And that's why the Steelers are perennial competitors.

1-12-2009 @ 10:35AM

Tom said...

If I was a non-Steeler fan, I would be worried also. Could it be that this team has jelled to a new level just in time for their playoff run?

1-12-2009 @ 1:46PM

Pat williams said...

Ben had his best game EVER yesterday. The Steelers beat the Chargers fair and square. We know Baltimore will not be a walk in the park, but I'm sure it will be a good outcome for the Steelers. STEELERS vs EAGLES in the Superbowl . Something that has never happened again HISTORY in the making.

1-12-2009 @ 6:41PM

tom said...

Have any of the Ravens been arrested lately?

1-12-2009 @ 9:06PM

Redskins0492 said...

No, but I'm sure I heard something about Steelers and their fans having been arrested.

Ravens are going to wreck the Steelers.

1-12-2009 @ 9:14PM

MissLoneWolf said...

Superbowl? It will be Steelers VS Eagles!! Go Steelers- let the Ravens know what losers they are. Ravens win because of the ref's, not skill...

1-28-2009 @ 8:51PM

brownpride57 said...

whine about this ,whine about that,well maybe you whinners should have some cheese with that whine,the game is the game ,very body in the league gets bad calls its what do you do after a bad call,and as far as bad calls ,there have been the steelers share for a long time but you dont hear steeler fans whinning about the bad calls we suck it up and go kick every bodys asses all the time so go and cry some where else,you cry baby