Every Wednesday during the NFL season, USA TODAY Sports will assess everyone's favorite topic: quarterbacks. Who's hot? Who's not? Who has the most exciting matchups?

Here's this week's QB Hot Sheet:

Five to watch this weekend

1. Tom Brady, Patriots: When targeting wide receivers this year, Brady is completing passes at just 61 percent for 229 yards. The Dolphins lead the NFL in opposing QB rating at 65.6. And, if Miami wins, it will have a three-game lead on the Pats in the AFC East.

2. Baker Mayfield, Browns:He overcame a 14-point deficit against the Jets with an ultra-efficient second half and made it clear this is now his team. Going against the Raiders, who have been outscored 37-3 in the fourth quarter, if the Browns find themselves in a hole, more Mayfield heroics may be on tap.

3. Josh Rosen, Cardinals: Like Mayfield, Rosen will make his first career start, Sunday at home against the Seahawks. Seattle is tied for first in the NFL with seven interceptions. Coupled with Arizona’s porous offensive line, it may be a long day for the No. 10 overall pick.

NFL power rankings:Undefeated Rams, Chiefs set pace among lots of interesting projections

More:Despite Fitzpatrick's heroics, Buccaneers must play Winston sooner rather than later

More:Goff showing he's more than 'system' quarterback for Rams

4. Kirk Cousins, Vikings: An utterly disastrous showing against the Bills may be evidence the Vikings were looking ahead to their Thursday showdown against the Rams. L.A. leads the NFL with just 12 points allowed per game. Consecutive Cousins fumbles to start the Buffalo game set the tone, so he may need some more help from Minnesota’s offensive line against a stout Rams pass rush.

5. C.J. Beathard, 49ers: He started five games last season in his rookie year and played adequately, but if San Francisco is to weather the loss of Jimmy Garoppolo (torn anterior cruciate ligament), Beathard needs to show his game progressed. His first test comes against a Chargers defense that has yielded 31 points a game, second to last in the league.

Three trending up

1. Jared Goff, Rams: He’s spreading the ball around, playing with confidence, and is on pace for career highs in completion percentage (70.3), yards (currently at 941), and touchdowns (six). Looks every bit like a franchise quarterback.

2. Matt Ryan, Falcons: Since Week 1 struggles in the red zone, Ryan and the Falcons have scored touchdowns on all eight trips inside the 20. And 374 yards and five touchdowns against the Saints has Atlanta’s offense looking, again, like a potent outfit.

3. Mayfield: As soon as he stepped on the field when Tyrod Taylor got concussed, the Cleveland offense popped with life. Was just one half, but it could be the start of something special for the No. 1 overall pick.

Three trending down

1. Brady: It’s too early to say the downfall is upon us, but with holes at receiver, the passing offense has regressed. The Pats should be better when Julian Edelman (suspension) and Josh Gordon (hamstring) return.

2. Dak Prescott, Cowboys: The most passing yards Prescott has thrown this year has been 160, and the highest total for a single receiver was Tavon Austin’s 79 (though 64 came on one play). Both figures came in Week 2. Poor offensive line play, a lack of talent at receiver and predictable play calling share some blame, but Prescott has been indecisive at times and isn’t taking shots down the field.

3. Sam Darnold, Jets: He needs more aggressive play calling – according to the NFL’s Next Gen Stats, he threw just two passes of 15 or more air yards and both came in the fourth quarter. Darnold has now strung together two consecutive poor outings, including 15-31 for 169 yards, no TDs and two interceptions in a 21-17 loss against the Browns.

Season rankings

1. Patrick Mahomes (last week: 1), Chiefs: A 13:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio won’t be topped.

2. Drew Brees (3), Saints: The 39-year-old has accounted for 10 touchdowns and no turnovers. But when you’re completing 80.6 percent of yours passes and still jump only one spot to No. 2, it’s says something about the guy in first.

3. Ryan Fitzpatrick (2), Buccaneers: Three first-half interceptions Monday against the Steelers weren’t all his fault, but they drop him nonetheless. Fitzpatrick didn’t get the protection he had in previous weeks, but did make plays in the second half. Enough that he should remain starting even with Jameis Winston coming off suspension.

4. Aaron Rodgers (4), Packers: His knee injury is still limiting him, and Green Bay’s offense fell flat in a loss against the Redskins, but Rodgers is the one player keeping the Pack competitive.

5. Ryan Tannehill (NR), Dolphins: He’s completing passes at a career-best 73 percent and has been efficient (7:2 TD-to-INT ratio) for the 3-0 Dolphins.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes on Twitter @LorenzoGReyes.

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