(REUTERS)

(Getty Images)

I am not entirely sure how he does it, but Brett Favre seemingly always finds a way to dominate the NFL. This time Favre is doing it as a member of the 6-0 Vikings, a team that seems to have embraced the kind of unexplainable magic that comes along with Favre. Even though he is playing second-fiddle in an offense that features the best running back in football in Adrian Peterson, Favre has managed to steal the spotlight during the team’s six-game winning streak. Whether it was his 32-yard miracle touchdown pass to Greg Lewis with 2 seconds left to win against the 49ers or his 58-yard completion to Sidney Rice to set up a Ryan Longwell fourth-quarter field goal that proved to be the difference in Sunday’s win against the Ravens, Favre is showing Vikings fans what it is like to have a quarterback again.

This week, however, Favre and the Vikings head into Pittsburgh to face the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers in the premiere game on this Sunday’s schedule. Favre’s 12 touchdowns and 109.5 QB rating put him in the top 3 in the NFL in each category, so if you are a Favre owner, starting the 40-year-old QB seems like a no-brainer week in and week out, but this week should be a different story.
The Steelers defense is back to being one of the most explosive and feared units in the NFL with the return of safety Troy Polamalu last week. Although it was against the offensively inept Browns, the Steelers’ defense forced four turnovers last week and allowed just a total of 197 yards. In addition, the Steelers have won seven straight and 10 of 12 at home dating back to last season. This will be Favre’s first big test as a Viking and despite his early successes, I would sit him this week.

Here are a few guys I’d start over him for Week 7.

Eli Manning – Manning, like most of the Giants, had a terrible game Sunday against the Saints. Manning and Co. face the Cardinals at home this week, and considering Arizona currently ranks 31st in pass defense and first in rush defense, I have a hunch Manning will be airing it out early and often come Sunday night.

Philip Rivers – Rivers hasn’t exactly lived up to the expectations owners had for him early on this season, but this week he could break out against Kansas City. The Chiefs have allowed a fifth-worst 10 passing touchdowns this season, and the Chargers already are in a must-win game after a loss to the division-leading Broncos. Look for Rivers and the San Diego offense to make a statement and put up a lot of points.

Matt Schaub – Let’s throw out the first week of the season against the Jets then start discussing Schaub. Since Week 1, he has thrown 14 touchdowns and 1,656 yards in five games, which leads all quarterbacks over that span. Schaub and the Texans welcome the 49ers to Reliant Stadium this week, a place where Schaub has thrown 17 TDs in 13 career starts.