ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Brett Favre's departure from the Packers and eventual arrival in Minnesota has helped both teams.

The Vikings' success with Favre makes his departure to a division rival a net loss for Green Bay, of course, but several statistical measures for quarterbacks favor Aaron Rodgers through Week 8.

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And it's tough to imagine a 40-year-old quarterback -- even one as resilient as Favre -- thriving behind Green Bay's current offensive line.

Rodgers leads the NFL in third-down passing (141.1 rating) among quarterbacks with at least 20 attempts, and few players utilize the whole field so ably. Rogers leads the league when throwing outside the numbers, connecting for eight touchdowns with a 117.4 rating.

The Packers lead the NFL in pass completions covering at least 30 yards. The Vikings rank tied for second with only one fewer.

Favre gets the edge on the MVP Watch list because his team is 7-1 and his addition has transformed the Vikings into legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Rodgers earns a place on the list because his production should not be overlooked.

1. DREW BREES QB | New Orleans Saints (Last Week: 2) 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 157 230 2,006 68.3 8.72 66 16 6 11 107.6 Leads the league in TD passes per game while ranking third in yards per attempt for an undefeated team.

2. PEYTON MANNING QB | Indianapolis Colts (Last Week: 1) 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 187 263 2,227 71.1 8.47 80 15 4 5 109.3 Slips one spot in the MVP Watch after failing to throw a TD pass for the first time this season.

3. BRETT FAVRE QB | Minnesota Vikings (Last Week: 7) 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 174 256 1,925 68.0 7.52 63 16 3 18 106.0 On pace for 32 TDs with only six INTs for one of the best teams in the NFL. Consider his legacy enhanced.

4. BEN ROETHLISBERGER QB | Pittsburgh Steelers (Last Week: 3) 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 164 233 2,062 70.4 8.85 52 11 6 19 102.6 Has completed 25 of 29 passes for 421 yards with five TDs, no INTs and a perfect 158.3 rating on play action.

5. TOM BRADY QB | New England Patriots (Last Week: 4) 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 179 273 2,032 65.6 7.44 54 15 4 8 99.9 Quietly remains only one TD pass off the league lead despite playing one fewer game than two of the three QBs ahead of him.

6. MATT SCHAUB QB | Houston Texans (Last Week: 10) 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 188 283 2,342 66.4 8.28 72 16 7 14 100.5 Leads the league in passing yards and ranks sixth in yards per attempt, but must adjust without Owen Daniels.

7. TONY ROMO QB | Dallas Cowboys (Last Week: NR) 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 138 230 1,908 60.0 8.30 80 12 4 13 96.8 Has completed 62 of 99 passes for 918 yards with eight TDs, no INTs and 119.8 rating during three-game winning streak.

8. AARON RODGERS QB | Green Bay Packers (Last Week: 9) 2009 PASSING CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT 147 225 1,989 65.3 8.84 71 14 2 31 110.4 Leads the league in third-down passing and passing against added pressure among QBs with at least 20 attempts.

9. JARED ALLEN DE | Minnesota Vikings (Last Week: NR) 2009 TACKLES MISC. TOT SOLO AST SACK STF STFY FF BK 34 28 6 10.5 5 12 3 0 Moved past the Broncos' Elvis Dumervil for the NFL lead in sacks. Has a safety, three forced fumbles and one TD.

10. REGGIE WAYNE WR | Indianapolis Colts (Last Week: NR) 2009 RECEIVING 2009 RUSHING REC YDS AVG LNG TD ATT YDS AVG LNG TD 51 689 13.5 39 6 0 0 0.0 0 0 On pace to catch 117 passes for 1,575 yards and 14 TDs this season. Unstoppable even when Joseph Addai is throwing.