Maybe quarterback Brett Favre is not the sole reason why the Minnesota Vikings are off to a 5-0 start, their first in five years, but credit has to be mailed his way especially how he had led this team so far in the early season.

The road ahead is not so easy after taking care of weaker teams like the St. Louis Rams, the Detroit Lions and the Cleveland Browns; one would expect a Favre team to win those games, but tough and close wins against the San Francisco 49ers and his former team the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night, truly displayed that though a year older, he can still lead an offense.

With two teams known for their aggressive defenses coming up, the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers, back-to-back, before heading to Green Bay for the game of the season, Favre will be tested by both AFC North teams tied for 2nd in their division behind a surprising Cincinnati Bengals at 4-1.

“The next three weeks aren’t going to be easy,” defensive end Jared Allen said. “We play Baltimore at home, we are at Pittsburgh and then we are back in Green Bay. The next three weeks are going to be a strong test of where we are at.”

Allen is accurate in his assessment, because all the Vikings first five opponents have a combined total of 7 wins so far this season, their next three have an 8-6 record.

With age being the factor here for Favre - it could be in his favor or against him - when he faces Baltimore on Sunday, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs leaders of the Ravens defense will continue to put pressure on him to make mistakes.

Even if he escapes the bully in Suggs or the watchful eyes of Reed in the back field, Lewis is one player everyone knows will not go down without a fight, so fans should expect a battle come Sunday.

Oh do not forget, Favre also has the running game locked down with Adrian Peterson so it should be fun to watch how coach Brad Childress schemes for the Ravens defense. Even though the Vikings claim they are not looking ahead, they cannot but notice the next three games and its complexities.

“We’re certainly not going to be talking about anything that Pittsburgh or Green Bay does this week, so logic would dictate that were pretty focused on the Ravens,” coach Childress said. “They’re good, particularly the veteran guys, of knowing that hey, it’s a week to week to week to week thing. You’re a week away from elation or a week away from a crisis, and that’s kind of the way we look at it.”

The fans at the Metrodome in Minnesota should understand that the game can go either ways. With the Ravens suffering back-to-back close losses to the Bengals and the New England Patriots, their wounded defense will come to Minnesota looking for a win and Favre could use their wounds against them.

“We’re getting a lot of pats on the back,” said tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. “But 5-0 can turn into 5-11 and we play a lot of good teams coming up. We can’t get content or relax because Baltimore’s coming up. It’s like hitting a bee’s nest, rustling them up a little bit, they’re going to be pretty mad coming in here.”

They certainly cannot be complacent not quite yet. After the Ravens at home, they visit Heinz Field and the Steelers. Talk about another defense known for its ability to knock quarterbacks out.

If Favre can escape Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Green Bay with wins, its smooth sailing for a while with the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears. If he loses all three tough encounters he can bank on getting wins against a wounded Bears defense without Brian Urlacher, the Lions and also the Seahawks with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck making his way back.

“We’re a pretty confident team,” receiver Sidney Rice said. “But I don’t feel like we’re over confident. Everybody knows we have a long way to go.”