Justin Herbert might have started his NFL tenure backing up Tyrod Taylor, but the rookie QB has since become one of the most explosive players in the league. Herbert has posted some impressive downfield production in his young career, throwing for seven deep TDs (traveling 20-plus air yards), ranking behind only MVP front-runner Russell Wilson, who has nine such scoring strikes. Herbert even chipped in 66 rushing yards in Week 7 and has two rushing TDs this season, to go along with his 12 passing scores. At this point, Herbert is squarely in the conversation for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Carson Wentz and the Eagles remain in the race for the NFC East division title, and Wentz's play of late is a key factor in the team's success. Over the first five weeks of the season, Wentz struggled by most measures, especially when not under pressure. In Weeks 1-5, Wentz had a 5:7 TD-to-INT ratio and a 75.3 passer rating when not under pressure, the second-lowest passer rating in the NFL from a clean pocket. Over the last two weeks, though, Wentz has posted a 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio, along with a 101.1 passer rating, when not under pressure. This week, he'll face a Dallas defense that has allowed 14 TDs and forced zero interceptions when not pressuring the opposing QB (that's the worst such TD-to-INT ratio allowed in the NFL). This might be the matchup that Wentz and the Eagles' offense have been looking for.

Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and the Packers are poised to present a particularly challenging problem for the Vikings, who are coming off a bye after allowing 40 points to a previously winless Falcons team in Week 6. Minnesota has struggled where Adams thrives: on targets outside the numbers. In the two teams' Week 1 matchup, Rodgers targeted Adams outside the numbers 10 times, generating eight receptions for 103 receiving yards and two TDs. Adams' four TDs on targets outside the numbers this season are tied for second-most in the NFL, behind only the Vikings' Adam Thielen. The Vikings' defense has allowed a 125.3 passer rating (second-highest) and 10 TDs (tied for most in the NFL) on targets outside the numbers this season.

A midseason AFC North matchup between the Steelers and Ravens brings together two of the most exciting offenses and two of the most aggressive defenses in the NFL. The Ravens (47.2%) and Steelers (42.7%) rank first and second, respectively, in blitz rate this season. But which QB has the edge when facing five-plus pass rushers? The answer, at least this season, seems to be Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben is averaging 2.29 seconds to throw in all situations, the fastest time in the NFL, and ranks first in completion percentage against the blitz at 70.5. On the other side is Lamar Jackson, who passed for 24 TDs against the blitz in his 2019 MVP season (10 more than any other player) but has the third-lowest passer rating against the blitz in 2020 (71.8). Will Roethlisberger's efficiency against the blitz be the difference in Baltimore?

Receiver Michael Thomas practiced on Thursday, indicating he has a chance to return to the field for the first time since Week 1. Somewhat surprisingly, however, Drew Brees and the Saints' offense haven't really missed a beat without Thomas, averaging 29.2 points per game en route to a 3-2 record in his absence. In fact, over the past two seasons, Brees has averaged 7.8 yards per attempt with and without Thomas on the field, evidence of the QB's skill spreading the ball around. His passer rating in this span: 116.8 with Thomas, 103.8 without. A main contributor to Brees' continued success has been running back Alvin Kamara, who has upped his target rate from 29.3 percent to 35.6 percent this season, and who is averaging 3.1 receiving yards per route run, third-most in the NFL (among those with a minimum of 100 routes).

(UPDATE: On Friday, the Saints ruled Thomas out for Sunday's game.)