How many players do you know who are unbeaten in their career as a starter in the playoffs (with at least five starts)?
Well, I know there’s one: Steelers running back Willie Parker. Yep, “Fast Willie” is 6-0 all-time in the playoffs when he starts for Pittsburgh. His 75-yard touchdown run in Super Bowl XL was the longest in Super Bowl history, surpassing Marcus Allen’s 74-yard run in Super Bowl XVIII.
Parker has three touchdowns in six career playoff games, two of them coming during the Steelers’ 35-24 victory over the San Diego Chargers in this season’s divisional round. While Parker was limited to 47 yards on 24 carries against the Ravens in the AFC title game, it’s pretty clear that Parker is finally healthy, and he could be the key for Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Cardinals, who are 7-point underdogs on WagerWeb.com.
Parker had 146 yards against San Diego after ending the season with a 100-yard game. He looked like the best back in the NFL after the first two weeks but injuries torpedoed his season – after Week 3, he missed five of the next six games. After opening the season with back-to-back 100-yard games, Parker had just two more in the regular season and couldn’t get healthy.
Parker’s frustration escalated to the point that he took a shot at offensive coordinator Bruce Arians. Parker suggested that one of the reasons for the struggling running attack was Arians prefers to run out of multiple tight-end sets rather than use a fullback as a lead blocker. The next day, coach Mike Tomlin sternly criticized Parker.
Parker then kept quiet and tried to get healthy. All he has really said about his recent surge play is “I’m at full speed and that’s all that really counts.” Parker has carried 51 times in the two playoff games. That’s his highest two-game total since the first two games of the season. Bet on Parker props at WagerWeb.com.
Arizona’s defense ranked 19th during the regular season but has been much improved in the playoffs.
“Whatever they bring to the table, they’re going to bring to the table. We definitely respect them, respect their defense. We just have to go out there and take care of business. They’ve got to come at us hard. It’s going to be a tough game,” said Parker.
The Steelers are 22-3 all-time in the regular season when Parker gets 100 yards. If he does that again Sunday, he will be 7-0 in the playoffs.
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