Bleacher Report's NFL Awards Week 8: Handing out Hardware

A great Sunday of NFL football is in the books, and now it's time to pass out the awards for the day's action.

We had all the pieces of a memorable week, including some big comebacks, bigger blowouts and the biggest receivers you'll see all year.

In addition to recognizing the best and worst players and games of the week, this week's awards will also recognize the best celebration and the most painful play of the day. 

Here are the awards for Week 8.

Game of the Week: Baltimore Ravens vs. Arizona Cardinals

With a matchup that originally would be considered for the birds, the underachieving Arizona Cardinals surprised many with their electrifying start Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. 

In addition to some solid defensive work, the team was lifted by an excellent punt return from rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson (we'll talk more about that return later). 

At halftime, the Cardinals led 24-6.

However, the second half would be all Baltimore. Quarterback Joe Flacco was excellent in moving the ball down the field, and running back Ray Rice would take full advantage of the goal-line field position, scoring three touchdowns.

Billy Cundiff kicked a short field goal as time expired, lifting the Ravens to a 30-27 victory.

While the Ravens will celebrate the biggest comeback in their team's history, the Cardinals will have some major soul-searching to do. Sunday's loss is Arizona's sixth in a row.

Stinker Game of the Week: Buffalo Bills vs. Washington Redskins

The NFL may want to pull in bigger matchups if they hope to win over Canadian fans. To say a game took place Sunday between the Buffalo Bills and the Washington Redskins would be somewhat inaccurate.

In reality, only the Bills came out to play.

Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick lived up to his new five-year, $59 million extension, throwing for two touchdowns while completing 77.8 percent of his passes, while running back Fred Jackson tallied over 200 yards of offense on the day.

Meanwhile, Redskins quarterback John Beck was sacked nine times and threw two interceptions, and leading rusher Ryan Torain amassed an underwhelming 14 yards.

The Bills 23-0 victory was the first for the Bills in four trips to Toronto.

"Who ARE You?"Award: St. Louis Rams

The performance the St. Louis Rams put on Sunday was like nothing the team had done in their first six games (all of which were losses).

The offense was dynamic, powered by the energized Steven Jackson. The secondary, ravaged by injuries that have wiped out several starters, was intimidating as it created multiple turnovers.

The effort was good enough for the Rams to pick up their first win, as they shocked the New Orleans Saints 31-21.

On a quick sidenote, I also loved the throwback uniforms the Rams wore Sunday. It's a great look that the Rams might want to wear more often, given the team's success with it on.

Line Em Up Award: Joe Staley and Isaac Sopoaga

Looking to go 6-1 for the first time since 1998, the San Francisco 49ers called on their (literally) biggest targets from both sides of the ball to move the chains.

Offensive lineman Joe Staley started the trickery for the day. Lining up as an eligible receiver, Staley caught a pass and moved it for an 18-yard gain.

Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, inserted in the offense in the fourth quarter, caught a pass for 18-yard and another first down.

Two very big catches as the Niners would defeat the Cleveland Browns 20-10.

"Nice Catch Guy!" Award: Tony Scheffler

Detroit Lions tight end Tony Scheffler somehow pulled in this bobbled pass on the way to making a 28-yard gain. Scheffler would later pull in a touchdown pass as the Lions would decimate the Denver Broncos 45-10. 

Honorable Mention: Brandon Lloyd

New St. Louis Rams wide receiver Brandon Lloyd made a show-stopping catch along the sideline, securing the ball just before he slid out. 

Scary Play of the Day: Chris "Beanie" Wells

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris "Beanie" Wells landed awkwardly on his helmet Sunday as he went in for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens. While he would get up with no problem, it definitely looked pretty painful.

Ouch!

Uncomfortable Locker Room Award: Olindo Mare

Carolina Panthers kicker Olindo Mare had an opportunity to send the Carolina Panthers to overtime against the Minnesota Vikings with a 31-yard kick, set up by a frenetic drive from quarterback Cam Newton. 

Unfortunately for both Mare and the Panthers, his kick floated wide left, and the Vikings would take the win.

Needless to say, Mare may not have been the most loved guy in the locker room.

(Warning: Music in video might be a little annoying.)

Celebration of the Week: Stephen Tulloch

Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch took the Tebowing fad to its logical conclusion, taking to his knee in celebration after knocking its namesake Tim Tebow down for a sack.

Tebow would struggle all day, completing less than half of his passes and getting sacked seven times as the Broncos were blown out.

Big Play Award: Jacksonville Jaguars

The Big Play Award, recognizing the efforts of the larger members of NFL rosters, goes to a trio of Jacksonville Jaguars defenders.

Linebacker Clint Session began the action, stripping Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub. Defensive end Matt Roth would pick it up, and somehow in the resulting pitch fest, the ball would return to Session. 

It may not have been the prettiest turnover setup, but it did set up a touchdown pass only two plays later.

The Jaguars would lose to the Texans 24-14.

"What Was That?" Award: The Referees in Philadelphia

The referees were not on their A-game when they initially ruled that a pass from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick to wide receiver DeSean Jackson was actually a backwards lateral. The erroneous call at first gave the Dallas Cowboys the ball.

Fortunately, Eagles coach Andy Reid challenged the call, and the bizarre decision was overturned.

Devin Hester Special Teams Award: Patrick Peterson

With the Arizona Cardinals desperate to break a five game losing streak, they received a huge boost from rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Slashing and speeding past at least five would-be tacklers, Peterson would return this punt 82 yards for the score.

While the Cardinals couldn't seal the deal late, the team has to be thrilled with the rookie's major productivity in the special-teams game.

MVP: Steven Jackson

In one of the major upsets of the week, St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson dominated the game's action. 

Running for 159 yards, and picking up another 32 yards through the air, Jackson would leave his mark against a struggling New Orleans Saints defense. He would also score two touchdowns.

With the Rams needing to steal as much clock time as possible late in the game to hold on to their lead, Jackson's efforts were a huge part in taking the big upset (and the Rams' first win of the year).

LVP: Kevin Kolb

Many were hopeful that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb would be able to provide stability after he was acquired (for a pretty high cost) in the summer. Those hopes are slowly becoming extinguished.

His play Sunday was less than exciting, as he completed only 10 of his 21 passes for 153 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception (he's had at least one in each of the last six games). He was also sacked six times. 

With the Cardinals on a six-game losing streak, one has to wonder how much patience the team's fans will have as the team continues to struggle.