1. Cardinals (1): The league’s only unbeaten team is struggling on COVID-19 scoreboard. Though Arizona reported its roster was fully vaccinated last month, Cards have NFL-high 24 coronavirus cases within organization entering Week 7. The schedule is being far kinder than the pandemic, serving up Houston next, but the scalding Packers come to desert after that.
2. Rams (2): WR Cooper Kupp appears headed for a career year, leading the league in targets (68) – the only NFL player with at least 10 in every game – receptions (46) and TD grabs (7).
3. Buccaneers (3): They’re throwing the ball 68% of the time. Tom Brady may be the GOAT, but is that a sustainable formula for a 44-year-old quarterback?
4. Cowboys (4): The Dallas defense may only rank 24th overall, even after surrendering season-low 335 yards to New England, but it leads NFC with 14 takeaways – with at least two in 10 consecutive games for the first time since 1976-77. Coordinator Dan Quinn and Co. are getting it done.
5. Ravens (7): First-round WR Rashod Bateman made his NFL debut Sunday and caught four balls. A surging team that’s won five straight now getting healthy around potential MVP Lamar Jackson? Look out.
