Steelers take aim at Peterson, Favre

It's easy to spot the NFL's game of the week, with the undefeated Minnesota Vikings traveling to Pittsburgh. So let's take a serious look at some of the players involved, in particular Vikings stars Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre.

For a little background on how tough this game might be for the Vikings, consider that only one dome team has won at Pittsburgh since 2004, and the Steelers have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 28 straight games, at home or on the road.

This is obviously a different Minnesota team that is proving to be one of the best in the league. The Ravens have been one of the top run defenses in the league for a long time and are allowing 91 rushing yards per game this season, but Peterson didn't seem to have any problems while rushing for 143 yards.

On two occasions this season, in Weeks 3 and 4, Peterson was held in check. Steelers defensive guru Dick LeBeau will put a big target on Peterson as the focal point to beating the Vikings, and safety Troy Polamalu should help execute that game plan.

As for Favre, he has faced the Steelers four times in his career (2-2), including his first NFL start, and lost in his only game at Pittsburgh. This will be his second game of the season outdoors, with his first coming in Week 1 at Cleveland, when he struggled but wasn't in synch with the offense yet.

It's never a good idea to sit your top player in any week against any opponent, as in Peterson's case, but it is something to at least ponder this week.

Favre has put up great numbers and looks better all the time, but this might be a time to go with another quarterback on your roster, unless it's Carolina's Jake Delhomme.

• GOOD STARTERS -- New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning should put up solid numbers against an Arizona pass defense that allows 265 yards per game. The Giants' running game probably won't be great, forcing Manning to pass to what is now one of the best receiving corps in football.

Carolina running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart were rejuvenated last week against Tampa Bay, with each rushing for more than 100 yards. They get a chance to face a Buffalo run defense that got chewed up by the Jets for 318 yards.

Through the first four games of the season, the Panthers had gone overboard with Delhomme and the passing game while trying to get Steve Smith the ball with no success. Last week, the run-pass ratio was 48-17 in favor of the run, and they got a win. It seems like a good strategy to stick with.

Stewart was drafted in most leagues as a No. 3 running back but was subsequently dropped by many owners after he struggled early, meaning he might be available.

Also, Cowboys wideout Miles Austin has officially been named the starter, relegating Patrick Crayton to the bench. There was little doubt this day would come because quarterback Tony Romo has been so high on Austin for the past two seasons.

Don't expect a 250-yard game from Austin again, but it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect old Terrell Owens-type numbers on a weekly basis. Romo is facing a lot of pressure now, and Austin is the only reliable wideout he has after being let down by Crayton and Roy Williams.

• POSITIVE ADDITIONS -- It might be a good idea to pick up New England's Laurence Maroney. It's hard to recommend a Patriots running back because no one knows what coach Bill Belichick is thinking week to week. But after a 123-yard game by Maroney, his first 100-yard game since 2007, and an array of injuries in the backfield, it's reasonable to think Belichick will give him a chance again against Tampa Bay.

New Orleans wideout Lance Moore helped many fantasy teams last season as an acquisition when Marques Colston got hurt. Moore had 79 receptions for 928 yards and 10 touchdowns. In his first real action of the season last week against the Giants, he caught six passes for 78 yards and a TD. Drew Brees loves going to Moore underneath because he catches just about everything.

Finally, if in need of a wideout because you have a few players on byes this week, or you have Steve Smith or Owens on your roster, Cleveland's Mohamed Massaquoi could give some relief. Browns quarterback Derek Anderson feels most comfortable with him, and Massaquoi has big-play ability.

Micah Roberts is a Las Vegas-based writer who will contribute weekly fantasy football outlooks for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at MM.Roberts7@gmail.com.