Statement Game of the Week: Vikings vs. Steelers

Many are picking Atlanta vs. Dallas as the game of the week, but let's be honest here, neither team is making it to the Super Bowl. The Cowboys are more inconsistent than Will Ferrell movies and they have a coach who seems lost at times. I mean he literally looks lost and confused- as if he wandered onto the sideline and forgot where his seat was.

Then you have Tony Romo. While he is probably the most athletic quarterback in the league (I said quarterback- sorry Michael) he is still not polished enough to win those big games in December. His decision making is always questionable and for now, he's got a big old monkey on his back that continues to strangle him in big situations.

Let's not forget that they have an ego-maniac for an owner. Jerry Jones is a walker away from being the next Al Davis (scary thought Dallas, but the truth always is). And as for the Falcons, well they are just too young. I am sold on Matt Ryan, but not the whole team. They have the talent, but '09 is too soon. They are playoff bound, especially in the weak NFC South, but will fall short. At least for this year.

This brings us to the only other game of relevance in a week of gimme' games. The Vikings and Steelers are two of the most Super Bowl ready teams in the league and both come into this week with something to prove.

The Vikings are undefeated thus far, but aside from last minute victories against the 49ers and the Ravens, they've had a fairly unimpressive path to that 6 and 0 record. This is an opportunity for the Vikings to knock off two AFC elites in back to back weeks. A solid win against Big Ben and the Steelers top notch defense could legitimize their chances at a ring. A loss here and the two wins against the 49ers and Ravens look like flukes, not to mention that the Favre-haters will begin their "too old" chatter (depending on the fashion of the loss, of course). This is an important game that can set the Vikings up for the rest of the season. A 7-0 start, with a sizable lead in the NFC North is not a bad a deal.

Roethlisberger and crew need this game just as much, if not more. It's hard to question a 4 and 2 start, but is it just me or is it a little disappointing. Losing back to back games against Chicago and Cincinnati was unexpected to say the least. It just so happens that those two teams are playing each other this week as well. The result of that game doesn't matter though. The Steelers must beat the Vikings to either stick with Cincy or get that one game lead they need in the Division, if the Bengals fall to the Bears.

Ben is putting up excellent numbers so far this year. He's been asked to do a lot and has responded. The Steelers of old they are not. The offense resembles the Rams of the early 2000's more than the Bill Cowher bruisers of only a few years ago. And they will need that explosive passing attack against the Vikings if they want to pull out the win at home. The Vikings have the ability to hold on to the ball with their running attack and can keep you from using yours. Minnesota ranks 9th in rush defense and Mendenhall and crew only rank 15th in rush offense. Now the Steelers bolster the second best run defense in the league, but A.D. just proved he can run on anyone last week when he put up 143 yds on 22 carries against a historically great run defense in the Ravens.

The x-factor here will be Brett Favre. What Brett will the Vikings get? If he continues his play from the previous six weeks the Steelers will have a hard time coming out on top. But if Pittsburgh can rattle him and cause a few miscues, we could see the Vikings offense implode.

I'm saying this one will be close, but I have the Vikings coming away with the win, 28-23. Brett Favre is just too comfortable with this offense and is looking like he did two years ago with the Packers (and they went to the NFC title game). The Vikings have given up tons of passing yards late in games this season, but look for Jared Allen and friends to get the pressure on Big Ben early and often. Sorry Pittsburgh fans, looks like recent history will repeat itself as the undefeated team knocks off the defending champs yet again.

Sanchez, Savior?...Not Yet

If you told me six weeks ago that the Jets would have started the season 3 and 0 with wins over the Texans (the sexy preseason Super Bowl pick), the Patriots (with Brady back at the helm), and the Titans (the reigning AFC South Champs) I would have called you crazy- among other things. But three weeks into the season with a rookie coach and rookie quarterback the Jets were just that. The big 3 and 0.

Mark Sanchez had a completion percentage of 59 and had a 2 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio (4 TDs and 2 INTs). Now the numbers weren't out of this world, or Brady-esque by any stretch, but they were solid for a rookie quarterback. He was managing the games and making special plays when it was least expected (Exhibit A: TD run against Tennessee). The defense was exceptional as well. They only let up 33 points- with the first offensive touchdown given up in the second quarter of week 3. But expectations for this team began to shift and shift fast.

Now six weeks in we have seen a reversal of what we saw in the first three weeks, literally. Sanchez now has a 1 to 2 touchdown to interception ratio (5 to 10 respectively) and the defense has looked powerless at times (How about a sack? I'd settle for a little pressure!). Everyone jumped the gun here- myself included. The success was quick, but didn't linger as long as most New York fans would have liked. With that being said, don't jump off the band wagon too soon.

Sanchez has shown the accuracy and arm strength needed to be a franchise quarterback in the NFL and Rex Ryan does know how to coach up on defense (He's only been the mastermind behind the definition of defense in Baltimore). While the Jets have fallen three straight now, they are still 3 and 3. Don't let the exceptional start skew your expectations for this young team. Braylon Edwards has only been in New York for two weeks now and is still get acclimated to his third quarterback of the season. The parts are there, but patience is needed.

Now I'm aware that a major part of this team is gone now. Kris Jenkins is gone for the year and he is arguably the most significant part of this defense, but it's not the defense I'm worried about. Rex will be fine. He has plenty of other toys to tinker with while trying to make up for the loss. The problem I do see is the nurturing of Sanchez.

Schottenheimer is on a hot seat. The only seat hotter than his is Jim Zorn's and Zorn is melting as we speak. If Schotty doesn't get his offense back on track he will find himself on the wrong side of the city that doesn't sleep. The play calling was excellent the first three weeks. Sanchez attempted his fair share of passes, but wasn't asked to take control of the game, put it on his shoulder and sling the ball around like he's number four of last year. The kid's a rookie and he was treated as one for the first three weeks. But when he dipped his head and spun into the endzone against the Titans, all reason went out the window for Mr. Schottenheimer. I don't know if he mistook Sanchez for John Elway or what, but he decided from that point on to put way too much of the offense in his hands.

Luckily Sanchez's worst performance came in week six and not later (Keep your finger's crossed). This should give the Jets a solid two weeks to get ready for the Dolphins at home, considering they have a bye in Oakland this weekend. If Schotty can smarten up and go back to the ways of old, the Jets will be just fine. If he continues to give Sanchez the keys to the Ferrari, we're likely to see another car accident like we saw against Buffalo. But if he just lets him take the Camry out on weekends and slowly lets him work his way into Monday, you'll see the slow and natural maturation of a fine young driver...I mean...quarterback.