Rookie Report: John Brown, Anthony Barr deliver in Week 8

The Rookie Report provides a running look at first-year standouts, surprises, and Rookie of the Year candidates.

Here's who stood out during the eighth week of the season, including some of the names to watch heading into Week 9.

Offense

John Brown
WR, Arizona Cardinals

After falling off the radar in recent weeks, Brown bounced back in a big way against the Philadelphia Eagles. The third-round pick caught five passes for 119 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown reception with 1:21 left to play to give the Cardinals a 24-20 victory.

Brandin Cooks
WR, New Orleans Saints

Cooks had six receptions for 94 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown catch, and added a touchdown run in the Saints' 44-23 victory over the Green Bay Packers. He ranks third among Saints receivers with 410 yards through eight games.

Martavis Bryant
WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

A fourth-round pick, Bryant enjoyed a breakout game in Week 8, catching five passes for 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Steelers' 51-34 win over the Indianapolis Colts. In two games this season, Bryant has seven catches for 123 yards and three touchdowns.

Sammy Watkins
WR, Buffalo Bills

Save for his premature touchdown celebration, Watkins had an impressive performance in the Bills' 43-23 victory over the New York Jets, finishing with three receptions for 157 yards and a touchdown, marking his second consecutive 100-yard game.

Donte Moncrief
WR, Indianapolis Colts

If the Colts' Week 8 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers is any indication, Moncrief could be in for a much bigger role moving forward. The third-round pick hauled in seven receptions on a team-high 12 targets for 113 yards and scored the first touchdown of his career.

Defense

Anthony Barr
LB, Minnesota Vikings

The reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Week has had several highlight-reel worthy plays this season, but none quite like the game-winning touchdown he scored against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Barr forced a fumble in overtime, recovered it, and returned it 27 yards to secure a 19-13 victory for the Vikings. It was the first  defensive touchdown in overtime in team history.

C.J. Mosley
LB, Baltimore Ravens

Mosley shined once again for the Ravens in Week 8, posting a team-high 13 tackles and one pass defensed in a 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. His 76 tackles rank first among rookies and fourth in the NFL.

Bashaud Breeland
CB, Washington Redskins

Going up against a guy like Dez Bryant is a difficult task for any rookie, but Breeland handled it with ease. The fourth-round pick held Bryant to a season-low three catches for 30 yards in Washington's 20-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, and finished the game with four pass breakups and a forced fumble.

Preston Brown
LB, Buffalo Bills

Making his second consecutive start for the Bills in place of Keith Rivers, Brown posted a season-high nine tackles and an interception against the Jets. He leads the Bills with 60 tackles through eight games.

Aaron Donald
DT, St. Louis Rams

The Rams dropped a 34-28 decision to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, but got another strong performance out of Donald. The first-round pick played 40 defensive snaps, recording one tackle for a loss and forcing a fumble deep in Kansas City territory that was recovered by defensive end William Hayes.

Quick Hits

• Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier saw limited action in his return from a sprained MCL. Head coach Mike Tomlin says the team plans to use him in a rotation rather than as an every down linebacker moving forward.
• Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer had a lot of good things to say about running back Jerick McKinnon after his 83-yard performance against the Bucs.
• The San Diego Chargers will be without cornerback Jason Verrett for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins while he nurses an injured shoulder. Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego reports that even if Verrett does play again, it's unlikely he'll be able to finish the season.
• Vic Ketcham of Packers.com believes tight end Richard Rodgers is going to become a major factor in Green Bay's offense in the second half of the season.
• Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger looked solid in his first career start - so solid, in fact, that teammate Nate Washington declared him more pro-ready than Ben Roethlisberger was at that stage.