Prime Time Players: Week 8

Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant said he was the best at what “he does” and Johnson was the best at what “he does.” Apparently, Bryant’s the best at throwing tantrums on the sideline in a losing effort and the receiving machine known as Megatron is the best at making plays between the lines. Johnson had 14 catches for a career-high 329 yards (23.5 ypc) and one TD during a 31–30 come-from-behind victory over Dallas. Johnson’s receiving yardage total is the second-most in NFL history, trailing L.A. Rams receiver Flipper Anderson’s 336 yards set in 1989 in an overtime game against the Saints.

Drew Brees, QB, Saints
New Orleans’ band leader threw five TDs in a single game for the sixth time in his career during a 35–17 win over Buffalo. Brees completed 26-of-34 passes for 332 yards, five TDs and zero INTs for a season-high 146.1 passer rating. Strangely enough, Brees has zero picks in games in which he throws five scoring strikes. He did, however, throw one INT during his career-high six-TD effort back in 2009. Slacker. Of Brees’ five TD passes, two deep balls went to rookie speedster Kenny Stills, two red zone over-the-middle laser beams to tight end Jimmy Graham and one score to Lance Moore.

Antrel Rolle, S, Giants
With the Giants offense able to muster just five Josh Brown FGs, the Big Blue Wrecking Crew defense was called on to carry the load during a 15–7 victory at NFC East rival Philadelphia. Rolle led the way with a stat-stuffing performance that included five total tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one INT of Michael Vick before the Eagles dual-threat passer injured his hamstring and was replaced by rookie Matt Barkley. For the game, New York held Philly to 201 total yards, 3-of-14 conversions on third-or-fourth-down and zero offensive TDs.

Andre Ellington, RB, Cardinals
The No. 187 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Ellington made the most out of NFL start No. 1 during a 27–13 victory over the Falcons. The 5'9", 199-pound rookie out of Clemson had 15 carries for 154 yards (10.3 ypc) and a highlight-reel 80-yard sprint to the end zone. Ellington’s breakout performance came just hours after his cousin, South Carolina Gamecocks receiver Bruce Ellington, had a 10-catch, 136-yard, two-TD outburst in a thrilling double-overtime win at Missouri.