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.
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