Pittsburgh’s defense has had its share of trouble with offenses — particularly passing offenses — in the second half of games this year. Enter Brett Favre and the Vikings’ suddenly high-flying passing attack.

And I want absolutely nothing to do with Favre this weekend.

Look, I love the guy. Few football fans were as happy as I when he decided to come back from retirement — again — and play this season. And he is playing so well for the Vikings this season.

But Favre’s opponent is the defending Super Bowl champions. With Troy Polamalu in the fold. At home. In football weather. Among the Terrible Towels.

It sounds like a stage set for Favre and one of his spectacular performances. It also sounds like vintage Steelers football. This could be an old-fashioned, knock-down-drag-out type of football game with plenty of running, defense and punting.

It should be fun to watch, unless you start Favre this Sunday.

Injury updates and start/sit advice for week 7 after the jump.

Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals: This has all the makings of a game-day decision. Boldin worked out with a trainer on Thursday and did some jogging. The Cardinals want to see if he can practice in at least a limited fashion later today. Check on his again this evening and throughout the weekend, but prepare other options (including one of his teammates listed in the start advice below).

Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: He keeps saying all the right things but was officially limited in practice on Thursday. However, I do expect No. 28 to be on the field for a huge road game against Pittsburgh. He is a must-start despite any match-up or nagging injury, as long as he plays.

Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Jets: Head coach Rex Ryan seems optimistic that Cotchery can play this weekend but his inability to participate fully in practice is a dubious sign. If he can do more at practice today I might like his chances a little better but still think he will be a game-time decision on Sunday.

Frank Gore, RB, 49ers: Gore has returned to practice in a full capacity and is set to resume his role as the 49ers’ work horse running back this weekend at Houston. Not a bad match-up at all for his first action since the week 3 injury. In fact, it is so good I may have to advise owners to start him without hesitation this weekend …

Start ‘em

Quarterbacks

• Donovan McNabb @ Redskins: The Eagles threw the ball a ton last week with poor results. The running game will be more involved against an NFC East foe, but that should help open things up down the field for McNabb.
• Eli Manning v. Cardinals: Bounce-back week for most of the Giants, especially Manning. Do not let last week’s shut down of Seattle’s passing game fool you. The Cardinals are susceptible through the air. Big game in store for Manning and Co.

Running Backs

• Frank Gore @ Texans: Gore is expected to return for the first time since injuring his ankle in week 3 against the Vikings. He could not have personally scheduled a better match-up. The forecast calls for fireworks.
• Ryan Grant @ Browns: The Browns defense keeps losing tacklers which does not bode well against teams with offenses. Especially potent offenses. Grant should get a lot of work in this one.

Wide Receivers

• Hines Ward v. Vikings: Minnesota’s secondary is banged up. The veteran Ward is having a fine season for fantasy owners and should find some holes over the middle. In my opinion, he still clearly is the team’s No. 1 wide receiver.
• Steve Breaston @ Giants: If Boldin cannot go — likely — Breaston steps into the starting lineup. Remember this story? Yeah, it has been written before. Here is a refresher of the plot in case you forgot: Boldin gets hurt, misses game(s), Breaston owns.

Tight End

• Brent Celek @ Redskins: The Eagles should bounce back in a big way this weekend against a maligned division opponent. Of course they also were supposed to take care of business last weekend against Oakland …

Sit ‘em

Quarterbacks

• Brett Favre @ Steelers: As outlined above, I am not a fan of Favre on the road this weekend. Huge game, has defensive battle written all over it despite the potency of both offenses. I like the ground games, Hines Ward and kickers in this one.
• Kurt Warner @ Giants: Something tells me the Giants defense is going to bounce back at home after getting embarrassed in New Orleans last weekend. This should be a long road trip for Warner and the Cardinals.

Running Backs

• Brandon Jacobs v. Cardinals: It took six weeks but I have officially grown weary of the man-child. The way to attack the Cardinals defense is through the air, which means lots of Eli Manning and handcuff Ahmad Bradshaw. Now that I called him out, watch Jacobs blow this up in my face.
• Clinton Portis v. Eagles: Few on the Redskins’ offense are startable every week in fantasy. In fact, I think Chris Cooley may now be the team’s only every-week starter. Portis draws the ire of an angry team coming off a laughable loss to the Raiders.

Wide Receivers

• Roy Williams v. Falcons: Welcome to the Miles Austin show. After his explosive performance two weeks ago, all eyes — including Tony Romo’s — will be on the newly-anointed starting wide receiver.
• Devin Hester @ Bengals: You have to give it to the Bengals’ defense — Other than Andre Johnson, No. 1 wide receivers have done little on this unit to date. Hester is not a true No. 1 yet but will draw the attention of a secondary looking to get back on track.

Tight End

• Zach Miller v. Jets: Miller goes as JaMarcus Russell goes. He is a good bye week fill in for an idle fantasy starter, but little else. Use only if necessary and know that a bad day from Russell, which has proven to be the norm of late, could spell doom for Miller.

For more great fantasy roster advice this week, including a plethora of Start & Sit links and consensus rankings, head over to the Fantasy Football Librarian. Don’t forget to grab your library card.

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