The New Orleans Saints head to Soldier Field in Week 7 to battle the Chicago Bears. The Bears are returning home on a three-game win streak under rookie head coach Ben Johnson. This has the makings of a high-scoring affair, as both teams rank in the bottom eight in the NFL in points allowed. Here are two key offensive players for each team that will be looking to capitalize on the matchup.

Luther Burden III, WR, Bears

Veteran wide receiver DJ Moore is questionable against the Saints after being hospitalized following the Bears' Monday Night victory. If he is unable to go, electric rookie Luther Burden III will look to fill his role. 

Burden has played just 81 snaps in his rookie year thus far, yet he has the highest PFF Grade among all Chicago offensive players. He has produced in his limited opportunities and should see significant snaps against New Orleans. Burden thrives creating yards after the catch; this has the makings of a breakout game as he faces a Saints defense that ranks last in the NFL in PFF Tackle Grade.

Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Saints

Rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has allowed the fourth-most pressures in the NFL with 20. Banks will be matched up against Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo, both of whom rank among the top 30 edge rushers in pass rush win rate (minimum 120 pass rush snaps).

Spencer Rattler having time in the pocket will be paramount to success for New Orleans. Banks has shown improvement over his last two games, allowing only four pressures in that time. Whether or not he can continue to show that growth against the Bears could make all the difference in this game.

Joe Thuney, Guard, Bears

Chicago committed their offseason to putting Caleb Williams in the best position to succeed. Part of that included trading for All-Pro Guard Joe Thuney, and signing him to a two-year, $35 million contract.

Thuney has not allowed a pressure since Week 1, while playing 158 pass-blocking snaps during that span. The Saints rank No. 32 in the league in PFF Pass Rush and are particularly poor at creating pressure from the interior. Bryan Bresee is the only interior defensive lineman to record a sack this year for New Orleans, with just one in Week 4.

Spencer Rattler, QB, Saints

Yes, of course the quarterback is a key offensive player in a football game. Which version of Spencer Rattler we see in Week 7, however, is what will make all the difference. Last week, Rattler looked like a seasoned veteran, completing 77% of his passes at 8.7 yards per attempt, both of which were season highs.

He appeared unafraid to throw the deep ball and confident in his ability to hit tight windows in the defense. Rattler played cautiously in Weeks 1-4, often passing up potential long plays for safe, short gains that did not move the chains. 

Has Rattler’s confidence grown as the season has progressed? Is what we saw in Week 7 what we can expect out of Spencer Rattler moving forward? Or was that simply one great performance in which a lot went his way? Rattler’s confidence and propensity to take risks will be the biggest factors in this game.