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Sunday (Night) Fooball, Week 7
Alright, folks. This week, I'm "flexing" the schedule, and the game is the Vikings and the Steelers.
Game time is at 10:00 am Pacific, 1:00 pm Eastern. Please have your picks in by game time.
Quick Take
Unbeaten Vikes square off vs. defending champs
In Brief
Last meeting:
The Steelers used their classic formula of power running, stout defense and opportunistic special teams to grind out an 18-3 victory over the Vikings in Week 15 of the 2005 season.
Streaks:
The teams have split their last eight meetings, but the Vikings own an 8-7 overall series edge, including the playoffs.
Last week:
Despite suffering a defensive meltdown in the fourth quarter, the Vikings survived to beat the Ravens, 33-31, when Baltimore kicker Steven Hauschka missed a 44-yard field goal try as time expired. ... Ben Roethlisberger passed for 417 yards in a 27-14 Steelers victory over the Browns.
Keep your eye on ...
The Steelers have struggled to hold onto the ball this season.
Brett Favre's fountain of youth: Many observers questioned the kind of impact Favre could make after fading down the stretch in 2008 with an injury to his throwing arm and then skipping most of training camp this year while deciding whether to return. Well, for six games at least, he has silenced all the critics and is off to one of the best starts of his career. He will face perhaps his stiffest test of the year, though, against the Steelers and their third-ranked defense.
Minnesota's defensive focus: One of the league's most successful and respected defenses was shredded by Baltimore last week, especially in the fourth quarter. The Vikings gave up 448 yards in the game and allowed the Ravens to score 21 points in the final 10 minutes. They need to solve those issues quickly against a Steelers offense that boasts the league's second-best passing attack.
Pittsburgh's ball security: While the Steelers have shown a more explosive offense this season that can gain yards and put up points at a much faster rate than Pittsburgh fans are typically accustomed to, the unit has not taken very good care of the ball. The Steelers already have 12 turnovers and against the undefeated Vikings, such mistakes could prove costly.
Did you know?
The Vikings go for their first 7-0 start since 2000 when the team advanced to the NFC title game. ... QB Brett Favre aims for his fourth straight game with a 100-plus passer rating. ... Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has a 9-1 record against the NFC at home. ... Since 2007, the Steelers lead the AFC with 104 sacks.
THE LEADERBOARD
Anatole 12
kikitink 6
coolman156 2
klurejr 2
Y'all know the rules. Pay attention to the start time on this one. Wish the NFL would move it up a few hours, but 'tis nary a thing I can do about that.
Good luck!
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