NFL Week 7: Unbeaten records on the line

Andrew Kneeland, www.gvnews.com

The New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings, and Indianapolis Colts are the only teams playing this week with undefeated records.

While the Colts do battle with the winless St. Louis Rams today, both the Saints and Vikings will have very tough times keeping a ‘zero’ in their loss column. Here’s a look at those two games, along with three more exciting Week 7 matchups.

Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers, 10 a.m., FOX

Historically, these two teams are known for their power running games and solid defenses. The Vikings and Steelers are both from Northern divisions and could normally be expected to engage in a battle held mainly on the ground.

Today, however, two pass-happy teams will meet. Thanks mainly to Brett Favre, the Vikings are able to complement the best running back in the league with a steady passing game. Because of an improved offensive line and speedy receivers, the Steelers will also be free to move the ball through the air.

While few things motivate the Vikings as effectively as the “underdog” label, they could very easily walk into this game with their minds set on next week in Green Bay. Minnesota has an undefeated record to defend, and Pittsburgh will do all it can to break that up.

New Orleans Saints at Miami Dolphins, 1:15 p.m., FOX

New Orleans is fresh off a huge home victory over the Giants, and will have to travel to Miami to take on the suddenly dangerous Dolphins.

Ever since Chad Henne has started for Miami, the Dolphins’ “Wildcat” system seems to be working perfectly.

Time possession for the Dolphins will be crucial when they host one of the best teams in the NFL. New Orleans boats an extremely potent offense, along with an above-average defense. The Saints won’t be held scoreless by the average Miami defense, so Henne will be forced to orchestrate some elaborate scoring drives.

What makes this game interesting, though, is that New Orleans could be starting to feel the pressure that comes with an unblemished record. Winning on the road after an emotional victory is never easy. If the Saints can pull off this win, they will have solidified their place as the best team in football.

Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys, 1:15 p.m., FOX

The home team in this contest, the Cowboys will be favored against the solid Falcons’ squad — but perhaps they shouldn’t be. Both teams have explosive offenses, yet Atlanta boasts an above-average defense.

Dallas could have problems establishing the run against the Falcons’ defensive line (especially if Marion Barber and Felix Jones are still banged up), and it will be forced to rely on their passing game.

All three of Dallas’ wins, though, have come against poor teams, while the squad’s two losses have come at the hands of New York and Denver. Atlanta has beaten two quality teams in the 49ers and Bears, while dropping a game to the Patriots.

This could either be the week where America realizes that the Cowboys are not as good as they say they are, or that it’s possible to have a winning record with a pedestrian defense.

Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:15 p.m., FOX

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler has six interceptions in two national television appearances, but is undefeated during Sunday afternoon games.

This afternoon, look for Cutler to return to his normal self, steadily moving the ball up the field. Life could sure be made easier for him, though, if running back Matt Forte gains more than 23 yards. Cutler was the leading Bears’ rusher last week against the Falcons.

Both of these teams need wins, but chasing the 6-0 Vikings may put Chicago in a more desperate position. Cincinnati will let running back Cedric Benson run wild, who has trampled just about every team he has faced, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. Despite that, Benson may encounter trouble against the above-average Chicago defense.

Cincinnati is 1-2 when expected to win, yet 3-0 when considered the underdogs. The line of this game has the Bengals as 1.5-point favorites. Chicago just lost in humiliating fashion on national TV, and the Bengals will have their work cut out for them this afternoon.

Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants, 5:20 p.m., NBC

Through six weeks, the Cardinals have the best run-defense in the NFL, allowing an average of just 59.6 rushing yards per game. Part of that has been because teams have been so successful against Arizona’s subpar pass defense, but that changed last week in Seattle.

The entire Arizona team looked excellent last week in their upset victory of the Seahawks, and the Giants are reeling after a huge loss at the hands of the Saints.

New York is veteran team, though, and will rebound accordingly. Arizona hasn’t been a great road team for the past few years, and will need to bring its best stuff to the Meadowlands to take on the Giants and their hostile crowd.

Historically, Eli Manning and the Giants have been excellent in games following a loss, and all signs point to another New York victory. But the Giants’ pass defense looked quite vulnerable against the high-powered New Orleans attack, and they won’t have it any easier with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin rolling into town.

All signs pointed to a Seattle victory last week, however, and Arizona proved the sporting world wrong. Can the Cards do it again?

Andrew Kneeland is a junior at the Arizona Virtual Academy. He is an intern at the Green Valley News.