Week 7 showdown with the 6-0 Vikings a statement game for the Steelers

Starting the season 1-2 after two 4th quarter meltdowns, Pittsburgh is now winners of three straight, although the combined record for their last three opponents is 4-12. But in the NFL, a win is a win;  just ask the Philadelphia Eagles or the Washington Redskins.

So called NFL experts make the same mistakes year after year in making early assumptions. Just a few weeks ago, analysts were ready to pencil in the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game. Both teams are now 3-3, with the Jets having a rookie quarterback who has struggled mightily and the Ravens secondary an absolute nightmare. Neither can be considered a Super Bowl contender.

In listening to the pre-game shows this Sunday, you also would have thought the Cincinnati Bengals had already won the AFC North.

With all due respect to the 5-0 Denver Broncos, the top two contenders in the AFC to this point remain the usual suspects; Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers and I still regard the New England Patriots as a bigger threat in the AFC than Denver right now. Denver still has a lot to prove moving forward.

Down the stretch and into the playoffs, pivotal matchups come down to quarterback play.

Regardless of how well Denver's defense is playing, it's difficult to imagine Kyle Orton beating a Peyton Manning or Ben Roethlisberger in a one game playoff.