By Nicholas Billy
I pick the two top rookies of the week and the two rookies who didn’t do so hot. When critiquing them, I don’t look at the result of the game unless I am using it as a tiebreaker.
Good
Deshaun Watson QB Houston Texans- Being a rookie and facing the Legion on the road could be a recipe for disaster but not for Watson. He went 19 of 30 passing for 42 yards and threw 4 touchdowns passes in a 41-38 loss. It was Watson’s third game of the season with four or more touchdown passes.
Watson turned the ball over three times but he continued to turn heads with his impressive play thus far this season. Needless to say, every team that passes on Watson is kicking themselves right now. Week 8 Result- Loss to SEA 41-38
JuJu Smith-Schuster WR Pittsburgh Steelers- After being on the honorable mention list last week, Smith-Schuster stepped up big time in the Steelers Sunday night matchup against the Lions. Smith-Schuster caught 7 passes for 193 yard and a touchdown in the Steelers 25-20 win.
Smith-Schuster has carved a nice role for himself and could find himself starting opposite Antonio Brown for the rest of the season. Week 8 Result- Win over DET 20-15
Honorable Mention– Joe Mixon RB Cincinnati Bengals, Deshone Kizer QB Cleveland Browns
Bad
Christian McCaffrey RB Carolina Panthers- Another week, another poor showing from McCaffrey who carries the ball 4 times for a total of 3 yards. McCaffery didn’t even average a yard per carry. He did have 49 yards receiving but he once again failed to make impact.
Luckily the Panthers were able to pull out a win against division rival Tampa Bay, but they need more out of McCaffery. Week 8 Result- Win over TB 17-3
Mitchell Trubisky QB Chicago Bears- Trubisky went 14/32 for 164 yards and an interception. He finished the game with a 43.8 completion percentage. The rookie quarterback has struggled thus far and it is obvious that he is not quite ready to start. The Bears went with him however so they don’t have a choice but to stick with him. Week 8 Result- Loss to NO 20-12.
Honorable Mention- C.J Beathard QB San Francisco 49ers, David Njoku TE Cleveland Browns