ESPN analyst Joe Theismann answers five key questions after NFL Week 7:

How do you like New Orleans' chances of making the Super Bowl with such an inconsistent defense?
The NFL's best teams, at this point, are in the AFC. So given what appears to be the lesser competition in the NFC, the Saints (6-1) are as capable as any conference team to make a run at the Super Bowl.

	Brooks

I've been impressed with the Saints' offensive consistency, led by QB Aaron Brooks and RB Deuce McAllister, the NFC's leading rusher. New Orleans ranks third in the NFL in points per game (31.6).

Defensively, they're doing what they need to do to win. And they're getting a great effort from their special teams. So the Saints look to me to be a complete football team (even given the need for defensive improvement). So why not the Saints?

By the way, don't count the St. Louis Rams out yet. Sometimes teams start out 6-1 or 7-2 and wind up 10-6. I'm not saying that will happen with the Saints, but the reverse could happen with the Rams -- you never know.

What's more likely to happen -- a scoring outburst by the Cowboys or a great defensive outing by the Chiefs?
A great defensive outing by the Chiefs. The Cowboys' Quincy Carter continues to go through the growing pains of a young NFL QB.

Carter is in some good company when it comes to young NFL QBs -- check out this list: Drew Brees (San Diego), Aaron Brooks (New Orleans), Carter, David Carr (Houston), Tim Couch (Cleveland), Joey Harrington (Detroit), Patrick Ramsey (Washington), Michael Vick (Atlanta). With the Marinos, Youngs and Elways out of the picture, there's a new wave of QBs. And some teams are struggling because of inexperience at that key position combined with other personnel issues.

As for the Chiefs, I believe their D needs some personnel changes. Remember, when Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil led the Rams to the Super Bowl less than three years ago, he did it with a high-octane offense and a porous defense. Now, Vermeil's Chiefs are in the same mold. They lead the NFL in points per game (34.1) but rank 28th in points allowed per game (32.2).

So Kansas City's offense is better than the team's 3-4 record. But the defense is worse than 3-4.

Can the Colts establish themselves as serious AFC contenders with a MNF win?
A victory over the Steelers on "Monday Night Football" (9 p.m. ET, ABC) would go a long way toward building the Colts' confidence. The Colts are 4-1, but they've been winning games by the slimmest of margins.

	Manning

Their defense hasn't stopped the run very well and has barely hung on to win. On the other side of the ball, who would have thought we'd be wondering when the Colts' struggling offense will get untracked? In recent years, the D has been the question mark. But the offense has had trouble this season finding a consistent rhythm.

The Colts are playing a new defense this year, the Cover-2, under new head coach Tony Dungy. Their previous defense was more of a zone-blitz D. They're still learning the nuances of the Cover-2, and this will be a good test to see how they're progressing. On offense, it could be tough for the Colts to run against the Steelers, so they'll need to rely on QB Peyton Manning and his receivers.

If the Colts can win in Pittsburgh, it will be a statement that perhaps they can be considered a serious contender in the AFC.

What's Green Bay's offensive approach if Favre is out for a lengthy period?
Coach Mike Sherman won't change what he does offensively. But the improvisational part of the game will change, because that's Brett Favre's special gift. Not many quarterbacks can scramble and then throw 70 yards downfield off their back foot.

Backup QB Doug Pederson (9-for-15, 78 yards) managed the offense effectively after Favre went down. Another plus is that the defense has been stalwart this season. Also, the Packers have a bye next week, giving Favre an extra week to rest and mend. So I don't believe Favre will be out for long, if at all.

Favre is a special, special player. I believe Favre and Kansas City Chiefs RB Priest Holmes are the two clear league MVP favorites right now. By the way, if Favre ends up winning the MVP, it would be his fourth.

	Bledsoe

Who has a better chance at making a playoff run -- the Bills, Falcons or Ravens?
The Bills (4-3) have the best chance of the three at a wild card. Their defense has been suspect, allowing an average of 30.6 points per game (29th in NFL). But Buffalo's offense, led by a rejuvenated Drew Bledsoe, has been sensational, averaging 31 points per game (fourth in NFL). With a better defensive effort, the Bills will be on track for the postseason.

The Ravens (3-3) have the best chance to win their division. The Ravens need to win the AFC North to make the playoffs -- I can't see them claiming a wild card. The AFC North is weaker this year (with Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati), so I can see the Ravens winning the division crown.

The Falcons (3-3) will have a tougher time nabbing a wild card. Their division (the NFC South) is a tough one, with New Orleans and Tampa Bay lurking (plus Carolina). So it's a tough road, but the Falcons have plenty of football to play.

A game analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, former NFL QB Joe Theismann won a Super Bowl and a league MVP award. He reviews the NFL each week for ESPN.com in Cup o' Joe.