The running game is important because it doesn't allow for the linebackers to drop back quickly and concentrate on the pass.
Unless you are the Green Bay Packers, and can win a Super Bowl with 50 yards rushing, then the running game isn't very important.
This comparison is closer than it would initially appear.
Pittsburgh Steeler running back Rashard Mendenhall rushed for 1,273 yards on 324 carries this season. New England Patriot running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for 1,008 yards on 229 carries.
Mendenhall carried the ball almost 100 more times than Green-Ellis, but scored the same number of touchdowns (13). Mendenhall had more fumbles than Green-Ellis, but also caught more passes (23 versus 12).
The edge goes to Mendenhall for two reasons:
First, he's a better blocker. He can pick up a blitz or run into the flat.
Second, he's a more consistent producer. Pittsburgh can have him run the ball 36 times like they did against Buffalo or 27 times like they did against Cleveland.
Mendenhall carried more than 20 times in seven games this season. Green-Ellis did it three times.
Edge: Roethlisbeger
