Bleacher Report's Week 8 NFL Awards

Grip it and rip it.

That was the theme in the National Football League in Week 8, which was pass-happy even by today's standards.

In fact, it was a record-setting week in that regard. As Mark Maske of The Washington Post reported, four quarterbacks eclipsed 400 passing yards in Week 8, a first in NFL history.

In a week where footballs were flying all over the place, there were sure to be no shortage of big individual performances.

Here's a look back at the best of those performances and more, with Bleacher Report's Week 8 NFL Awards.

Team of the Week

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Winner: Pittsburgh Steelers (8 votes)

It wasn't that long ago that the Pittsburgh Steelers were written off as dead.

After being blown out by the Cleveland Browns back in Week 6, out came the shovels. The Steelers were a hollow replica of their formerly stout selves. Pittsburgh was done as a playoff contender.

Someone forgot to tell the Steelers.

Since that loss the Steelers have reeled off two wins in a row. Sunday's blowout win over an Indianapolis Colts team that had won five straight entering Week 8 was easily the team's most impressive performance of the season.

According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the key to the Steelers' recent success lies not in trying to recapture the past, but in embracing the future:

"

If that was a finesse offense, they should bottle it and bring it out every Sunday, including this week for their showdown against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field. They might have found the elixir to a 2014 season that was muddling along on another .500 track. With a defense still in transformation from those old days of black-and-blue football, the finesse offense might have to carry this team on its back.

"

Of course, we all know what the real reason for the win was.

It was those uniforms. Those bumblebee stripes left the Colts bewildered, befuddled and more than a little ill.

Others receiving votes: New England Patriots (4 votes), Arizona Cardinals (3 votes)

Coach of the Week

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Winner: Todd Haley, OC, Pittsburgh Steelers (7 votes)

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley has taken his fair share of criticism from fans and the media since arriving in town prior to the 2012 season. With the Steelers having failed to reach the playoffs in any of the three seasons Haley has directed the offense, he made for a convenient scapegoat for the team's lack of success.

It doesn't help that Haley isn't exactly what one would call a "people person."

However, it's pretty hard to argue with Sunday's results against the Colts, given that the Steelers racked up over 500 passing yards and topped 50 points.

In the opinion of Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, the popular storyline with Haley might just be a lot more fiction than fact:

"

Conventional wisdom went something like this: The arranged marriage of Roethlisberger and Haley would never work. In fact, it would blow up in the Steelers' faces, likely sooner than later. Two and a half seasons later, the two not only continue to co-exist but Haley, you could argue, has helped prolong Roethlisberger's career by going away from the downfield attack favored by Arians (that routinely led to his quarterback taking big hits) for a short-to-intermediate game plan that gets the ball out of Roethlisberger's hands quickly.

Whatever happens over the next eight games, this much is certain: Haley will never be loved in Pittsburgh and it has nothing to do with his demeanor, his relationship with the face of the franchise or this play-calling. It's solely a function of his job title. Just ask Arians, who went from the weekly target of fans' ire to revered offensive mastermind the moment he left and had success elsewhere.

"

For one week at least, Haley's safe to turn on talk radio in the Steel City.

Others receiving votes: Jim Caldwell, HC, Detroit Lions (3 votes), Mike Caldwell, LC, Arizona Cardinals (2 votes), Josh McDaniels, OC, New England Patriots (1 vote), Bruce Arians, HC, Arizona Cardinals (1 vote), Sean Payton, HC, New Orleans Saints (1 vote)

Goat of the Week

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

"Winner:" Mike Smith, head coach, Atlanta Falcons (11 votes)

Despite the fact that the Atlanta Falcons are 2-6, Mike Smith isn't worried about his job.

Despite the fact that the Falcons have lost five straight, the head coach isn't concerned about getting the axe.

In spite of the fact that the Falcons just blew a 21-point lead against the Detroit Lions, something that the team's owner said "just can't happen," Smith told Vaughn McClure of ESPN that he isn't losing sleep over the possibility of being fired:

"

No. None whatsoever. We're going to do what we've done for the last six-plus years and prepare each and every week like we know how to do it. And I'm going to continue to do that until Mr. Blank tells me otherwise.

"

Not for nothing, but Smith is also either lying, delusional or wants put out of his misery.

Because at this point Smith's firing isn't a possibility. It's a foregone conclusion.

Others receiving votes: Chicago Bears secondary (1 vote), Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons (1 vote), Atlanta Falcons (1 vote), Every Chicago Bears player except Matt Forte (1 vote)

Rookie of the Week

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Winner: Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills (11 votes)

It isn't that often that a player puts up a performance worthy of Rookie of the Week honors and still winds up getting dressed down by his coach, but that's what happened to Sammy Watkins of the Buffalo Bills during their win over the New York Jets.

Watkins reeled in three catches for a career-high 157 yards and a touchdown, his second straight game with over 100 receiving yards. It would also have been Watkins' second straight game with two scores had it not been for...

Well, I'll let Mike Rodak of ESPN explain:

"

The fourth-overall pick will make the highlight reels for the wrong reasons after he was stopped short of a touchdown on an 84-yard catch in the second quarter. Watkins, who thought he had a free pass to a touchdown, raised his arm in celebration as he neared the end zone and was tackled by Saalim Hakim at the 5-yard line.

Whoops.

Bills coach Doug Marrone pulled Watkins aside after the play. 'I said, 'There were people on that sideline' -- meaning his teammates -- 'that were upset. We're playing our butts off and we don't have time for stuff like that,'' Marrone said. 'Those are the things we have to work on -- winning and growing up.'

"

Whoops indeed. Live and learn I guess.

Others receiving votes: Donte Moncrief, WR, Indianapolis Colts (4 votes)

Best QB Performance

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Winner: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (14 votes)

As I mentioned in the introduction to this piece, there were a number of huge games from quarterbacks across the NFL in Week 8.

However, none could hold a candle to the day Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had.

Over 11 NFL seasons that have included over 36,000 passing yards and three trips to the Super Bowl, Roethlisberger has never had a day quite like Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Peter King of The MMQB broke down Roethlisberger's record-setting performance:

"

The Steelers have been alive since 1933, and Roethlisberger, 32, had the best passing game in team history Sunday: 40 of 49 for 522 yards, with six touchdowns and no interceptions. You cannot play the position better than Roethlisberger did in beating the Colts—who’d shut out Cincinnati last week. He was not sacked. In his 49 dropbacks, he was significantly pressured once, that figure coming in part because of great play from his line and in part because Roethlisberger knows how to deftly step out of trouble and duck out of harm’s way. He doesn’t look like he would be quick in the pocket, but he is.

"

He's also second in the NFL through eight weeks with 2,380 passing yards.

Now if only they didn't make him wear a uniform that makes him look like a convict from the 1930s.

Others receiving votes: Colt McCoy, Washington Redskins (1 vote)

Best RB Performance

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Winner: Arian Foster, Houston Texans (10 votes)

It's been lost somewhat in the record-setting pace put up by DeMarco Murray of the Dallas Cowboys over the first half of the 2014 season, but Houston Texans running back Arian Foster hasn't exactly sucked.

Quite the contrary, in fact. Along with carrying the ball, Foster has been carrying the offense for the 4-4 Texans. His 766 yards on the ground trails only Murray. Foster is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He has topped 100 yards on the ground in six of seven games, including four straight.

It's a remarkable performance given Foster's offseason back surgery, but after picking up 173 total yards and scoring three touchdowns in last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, Foster told Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle he never doubted that he'd return to Pro Bowl form:

"

I had an opportunity from my doctor (who) said, ‘This is not a career-ending injury. … And once I heard that from his lips, it was on again. I put a lot into this season, training with my brother and hopefully it shows. But the doubt – I never doubted myself. It was like if my body can do it, I’m going to do it.

"

He's doing it, all right. And doing it. And doing it well.

Sorry, couldn't be helped.

Others receiving votes: Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints (5 votes)

Best WR Performance

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Winner: Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles (11 votes)

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson is widely considered one of the best at his position in the NFL. He's certainly paid like it.

He also certainly didn't look like it against Jeremy Maclin and the Philadelphia Eagles last week.

Peterson leaving the game with a concussion may have been a blessing in disguise for Arizona, as Maclin did as he pleased with the Pro Bowler.

Of course, Maclin did the same with whoever covered him in Week 8.

Maclin, who has emerged as a front-runner for Comeback Player of the Year after missing all of 2013 with a torn ACL, caught 12 passes for 187 yards and two scores against the Cardinals. It was a performance that drew raves from head coach Chip Kelly, according to Phil Sheridan of ESPN:

"

I thought Mac played a great game. You see he’s starting to seem to round back into shape, in terms of just total confidence and what he’s doing, running around up there, coming off the injury he had. It’s what I thought we had. I love his work ethic. He’s a legitimate deep threat and he played a hell of a game today.

"

Maclin's huge day caught the eye of our voters as well.

Others receiving votes: Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (3 votes), Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots (1 vote)

Best TE Performance

Elise Amendola/Associated Press

Winner: Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (13 votes)

It rose, slumbering, from the Atlantic Ocean. It was an unstoppable beast that hit the Boston area like a force of nature, sending Bears fleeing before it in abject terror.

It was—Gronk.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was absolutely dominant in the Pats' Week 8 demolition of the Chicago Bears. The fifth-year pro reeled in nine catches for 149 yards and three touchdowns in a performance that Michael Hurley of CBS Boston thinks borders on unfair:

"

It’s just not supposed to happen like this in the NFL. It’s a league comprised of the biggest, strongest and fastest men in the world, and though some will always be bigger or stronger or faster than some others, the discrepancy is never supposed to be so vast, so painfully obvious as it was on the football field at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

"

Now the Bears know how Marvis Frazier felt after he fought Mike Tyson.

Others receiving votes: Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers (2 votes)

Best Defensive Performance

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Winner: Paul Kruger, OLB, Cleveland Browns (6 votes)

When it comes to great defensive performances in 2014, the lion's share of the conversation has centered on Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. Sure enough, Watt was at it again last week against the Tennessee Titans, welcoming rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger to the NFL as only he can.

However, in the eyes of our voters Watt wasn't the biggest defensive star of the week. That honor went to Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger, who logged three sacks and forced a fumble in a win over the Oakland Raiders.

It was the sort of impact the Browns thought they were getting when they inked Kruger to a fat free-agent deal before the 2013 season, but Kruger was deflecting praise after the game while speaking with Tom Reed of the Northeast Ohio Media Group:

"

We have extremely talented guys on our defensive line and in our front seven and they played really well today and some days you're just the guy who gets a couple more plays. Jabaal (Sheard), (Barkevious) Mingo, (Desmond) Bryant, John Hughes, they all had good games and our secondary was really good.

"

Well too bad, Paul. You're getting praised whether you want to be or not.

Others receiving votes: J.J. Watt, DE, Houston Texans (5 votes), Justin Houston, OLB, Kansas City Chiefs (2 votes), Anthony Barr, OLB, Minnesota Vikings (2 votes)

Best Decision

Rogelio Solis/Associated Press

Winner: New Orleans Saints establishing Mark Ingram vs. Green Bay Packers (6 votes)

The New Orleans Saints have been known as many things over the past several seasons. A running team isn't one of them.

With that said, the Saints attacked Green Bay's NFC-worst run defense early and often Sunday night, to great effect.

Running Back Mark Ingram set a career high with 172 yards on 24 carries, but as Mike Triplett of ESPN reports, after the game Ingram credited the big uglies in front of him for making life easy in the Big Easy.

“We were just clicking,” Ingram said. “When they get off the ball and create seams for me to run through, I just try to find it. Follow my read and just go with my instincts.”

Not only did the Saints move the ball at will on the ground, but pounding away on the ground also allowed New Orleans to control tempo and keep Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay offense on the sideline.

The result was a huge win that got the Saints right back in it in the NFC South.

Others receiving votes: Pittsburgh Steelers targeting Martavis Bryant more (5 votes), Saints targeting Brandin Cooks more (1 vote), Saints attacking Green Bay safeties (1 vote), Arizona Cardinals staying aggressive in the second half (1 vote), Morning football in London (1 vote)

Worst Decision

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

"Winner:" Matt Ryan's god-awful second-half interception (10 votes)

The votes for worst decision of the week have a tendency to run the gamut, so when there's a runaway "winner" it's usually a sign that someone really screwed up.

And boy, did Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan screw up in Sunday's London loss to the Detroit Lions.

It wasn't just that Ryan was intercepted. That happens to the best of quarterbacks.

No, as Bleacher Report NFL National Lead Writer Mike Freeman pointed out, it was that Ryan threw the ball towell, I'll let Freeman explain:

"

His third-quarter interception against the Lions on Sunday was Geno Smith-ian. The only person near the football when Ryan threw it was Lions defensive back Cassius Vaughn. There was no Falcons receiver within several time zones.

"

It was a throw that motivated Freeman to pen an ominous and depressing phrase for fans of the 2-6 Falcons.

"Do you remember when Matt Ryan was really good?"

Others receiving votes: Ryan Mundy "covering" Rob Gronkowski (2 votes), New York Jets benching Geno Smith (2 votes), Tennessee Titans starting Zach Mettenberger (1 vote)

Player of the Week

Don Wright/Associated Press

Winner: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (15 votes)

It takes quite the outing to get a unanimous nod from our panel. Apparently having the best game by a quarterback in the 80-plus-year history of a franchise qualifies.

That's what Ben Roethlisberger did Sunday with his 522 yards passing.

It was an explosion that left Peter King of The MMQB making some very interesting observations:

"

We often forget Roethlisberger when we speak of the great passers in the game. That’s a mistake. He’s fearless in and out of the pocket, can make every throw, will always have a chip on his shoulder about being overlooked in the Brady-Manning-Rodgers-Brees conversation of the greats, and produces no matter who’s out on the flank for him.

"

As much as it pains this Browns fan to say it, King is spot-on. Roethlisberger isn't mentioned in the same breath as Manning or Brees, despite the fact that he has as many Super Bowl rings as both of them put together.

You won't hear him mentioned alongside Steve Young when talking about great scrambling quarterbacks, despite the fact that Big Ben is in many ways a bigger, right-handed version of the Hall of Famer.

One day Big Ben will get his own bust in Canton (on the first ballot if there's any justice in the world), but for now the 32-year-old will have to settle for being named Bleacher Report's Player of the Week.

That's almost as good, right?