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Parker could get larger workload in playoffs
PITTSBURGH - The Steelers' running game has been about as consistent as the stock market.
Sure, there are days where it looks promising, but at the end of the week, it's just another major disappointment.
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Willie Parker ran for 115 yards on 25 carries - one of his four 100-yard games this season - to take some pressure off quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and the passing game.
The Steelers had a 100-yard rusher, a 300-yard passer in Roethlisberger and a 100-yard receiver in Hines Ward in that game but failed to score an offensive touchdown.
With Roethlisberger coming off a concussion suffered in the regular-season finale, running the ball might become even more important Sunday when the Steelers face the Chargers in an AFC divisional playoff game.
Rather than expect Roethlisberger to throw the ball 40 times and carry the offense, the Steelers would prefer the quarterback to hand off to Parker.
Despite his success against the Chargers, Parker doesn't expect San Diego to have a lot of respect for Pittsburgh's rushing attack, which averages 105.6 yards per game.
"We have been just a running football team," said Parker. "Are we a passing team? Yeah, we're a passing team."
The Steelers are used to being a team that runs the ball 60 percent of the time. This year, the offense became more reliant on Roethlisberger's passing.
"We haven't had a lot of people talk about our offense because we have the No. 1-ranked defense in the world," Roethlisberger said. "That's awesome. They're going to shine over us, but we don't mind. We know, that when the time comes, we'll step up and deliver like we have a couple of times this year."
The fact remains, the Steelers' running game isn't as potent as it once was.
"If I was on the defensive side of the ball, I wouldn't respect our running game because we haven't been that successful this year," said Parker. "We've just got to take our respect.
"I've got to change that. I came into the league with very little respect. My mindset and my goal is to take respect. That's what I'm always doing, just taking respect."
San Diego's run defense ranked 11th in the league, allowing 102.6 yards per game. The Chargers' pass defense was 31st.
The Chargers know that the Steelers' main focus offensively will continue to be their rushing attack.
"I think Pittsburgh's an outstanding run offense," said San Diego coach Norv Turner. "They've had some injuries to some backs and people up front. But I expect them to come out and try to run the ball."
That's likely to be the case, especially considering Roethlisberger's status.
"Ben will be all right," said Parker, who added that he's as healthy as he has been all season. "We would like to keep Ben healthy throughout the playoffs and running the ball well will be part of that."
