So here the Steelers go again, into the playoffs with one leg tied behind their backs. It seems to happen all too often, recently and back into their history. It’s a wonder they’ve won six Lombardi Trophies.
There was last year when Le’Veon Bell was knocked out in the final regular-season game and the Steelers were so desperate, they signed Ben Tate off the street to start at halfback for them. Baltimore won, 30-17, at Heinz Field in the first round of the playoffs as Josh Harris led the Steelers with 25 yards rushing.
Willie Parker, the NFL’s leading rusher, broke his leg in the next-to-last game of the 2007 season, which helped usher the Steelers out of their first playoff game at Heinz Field, won by Jacksonville, 31-29.