NFL Week 9 Predictions: Projecting the Week's Top Rookies

Three names, including one quarterback-wide receiver tandem, top my list for the rookies who seem primed for big games in Week 9.

That tandem, quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green, have caught everyone by surprise, playing for a Cincinnati Bengals squad that was projected to be the worst team in the league simply because of starting the two rookies right out of the box.

However, that assumption has proven incorrect, as the Bengals have emerged as serious contenders in one of the league's strongest divisions.

Dalton has managed his new role well, not taking too many risks, as evidenced by his low number of pass attempts (218, through seven games), though he does have seven interceptions to his nine passing touchdowns.

He's completing just 62.4 percent of his passes, but that should rise with his comfort level. And that comfort level certainly has undergone a serious ratcheting-up with Green catching his passes.

Of Dalton's 136 completions, 33 of them have gone to Green, who has 516 yards and five touchdowns to his name this season, with a single score in five of his seven games. While Dalton has certainly panned out as a better quarterback than everyone expected, it's the exemplary play from Green that's helped him look better.

The two should have a successful week against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday, as their defense ranks just 24th against the pass. Even if Dalton makes a mistake or two, Green is nearly flawless, and his performance should elevate both his quarterback and his team to a win in Week 9.

Another rookie wide receiver has managed to make a name for himself in this young season—the Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones.

While Jones has missed two of his team's seven games with a hamstring injury that saw him leave the Falcons Week 5 game against Green Bay with just one 16 yard reception and one 17 yard rush to his name, he still has an impressive stat line.

He's caught 25 passes for 356 yards and no scores, averaging 71.6 yards per game, and providing welcome relief to the always-covered Roddy White.

Many people raised a skeptical eye when the Falcons traded up to draft Jones in the No. 6 overall spot in the 2011 NFL Draft, but to me, it seemed to be an extremely savvy move that would pay off immediately.

And pay off it has. Now that Jones is healthy enough to return to the field, he should have an excellent showing against the bottom-of-the-barrel Indianapolis Colts defense that's giving up an average of 259 passing yards per game.