This week features 6 teams on a bye (Detroit, Denver, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Seattle, and Tennessee), but that doesn’t mean this will be a stale week.
We have a marquee matchup in the Steelers vs. Vikings, featuring the defending champs vs. the undefeated Vikings led by Brett Favre. We also have the Falcons vs. Cowboys, Bengals vs. bears, and the Giants vs. Cardinals.
Here’s everything you need to know heading into Week 7:
Roethlisberger leads a red hot Steeler's air attack against a depleted Vikings secondary.
Game of the Week: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The game of the week pits the undefeated Vikings against the defending Super Bowl Champs.
The Steelers have ripped off three straight wins after starting out 1-2. They finally have found balance of offense with the backfield duo of d Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker to compliment the very strong passing game.
The Vikings 6-0, but have had more than their fair share of good fortune. They narrowly survived a late comeback by the Ravens last week escaping on a missed field goal.
Key Matchup: Ben Roethlisberger vs. Minnesota Secondary
The Steelers have not been afraid to air to air it out this season and Ben Roethlisberger is responding leading the NFL in passing yards with 1,887. Hines Ward may be 34, but he’s playing like he’s 24 and Santonio Holmes is building of his Super Bowl heroics and rookie Mike Wallace has contributed as well.
The Vikings pass defense ranks in the bottom third of the league and were abused by Joe Flacco last week. To make matter worse they will be without All Pro corner Antonie Winfield, due to injury. The Vikings will replace home with journeyman, Karl Paymah, and a few youngsters.
Prediction:
The Vikings are due for a letdown and playing in Pittsburgh in never easy. I expect Ben Roethlisberger to torch the Vikings secondary as the Steelers hand the Vikes their first loss.
Steelers 27 Vikings 20
Top 5 Things to Watch
1. Can Sanchez Rebound?
After his five interception performance last week what will Sanchez do for an encore? The Jets desperately need a win to save their season. They can’t afford to lose their fourth in a row and fall another game behind the Pats.
Sanchez did man up and take the blame for the loss last week but it’s time to put up. Rex Ryan admitted he considered benching Sanchez late in the Bill’s game. If he puts up another dud this week that could become a reality.
2. Can the Saints stop the Wildcat?
The Saints may be undefeated but that doesn’t mean they can take the Dolphins easy. The Dolphins have rattled off two straight wins behind the play of young quarterback chad Henne.
The Dolphin’s Wildcat offense has continued to puzzle opponents this season including the Jets and the Colts. With a bye week to work on new wrinkles in the Wildcat the Saints could be in trouble.
3. Will the Real Dallas Cowboys Please Stand Up
The Dallas Cowboys continue to be one of greatest enigmas of the NFL. They have as much talent as any team but continue to under produce year after year.
This year is no different. The Cowboys may be 3-2 but their record doesn’t say everything as they needed overtime to beat the Chiefs two weeks ago. This week, against the 4-1 Falcons, can dictate the direction the season swings.
4. Crabtree Debuts
Finally, after one the longest and most pointless holdouts in recent history, Michael Crabtree will make his long awaited NFL debut.
Since signing two weeks Crabtree has worked hard in practice and has already worked his way into the stating line up. The 49ers say though he will only play about half o the team’s offensive snaps so don’t expect too much from Crabtree.
5. Will the ‘Skins Change?
A lot has happened this week in the nation’s capital. Jim Zorn was stripped of play-calling duties and today Vinny Cerrato said Jim Zorn’s job is safe for the season.
But the question is will anything change? Sherman Lewis, who has been out of the league since 2004, is calling the plays now and the players haven’t changed. After only going 2-4 through their cupcake schedule they now enter the brutal stage as their next 6 games are against winning opponents.
Looking at that schedule I wouldn’t hold Vinny Cerrato to his word.
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