Only the best: Giovani Bernard and his great month

Most of us anticipated promising production from Giovani Bernard, the rookie running back out of North Carolina selected out of the second round of the 2013 NFL draft. Watching bulls like Rudi Johnson, Cedric Benson, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis use their shoulders as their choice of weapons, it was nice to see what a 20th-ranked Jay Gruden offense could do with a dynamic back like The Football Ninja Bernard.

But some of us didn't expect this.

Through four games this season, Giovani Bernard has gained 269 yards from scrimmage on 47 touches (147 yards rushing, 122 yards receiving). He's currently averaging over 5.7 yards per touch, tied for the team lead with three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving), leads the team with 147 yards rushing and every game where he's scored, the Bengals have won. Among all running backs in the NFL, Bernard ranks first in rushing, second in yards from scrimmage and tied for first in touchdowns scored.

After scoring both of Cincinnati's touchdowns against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week two, Bernard opened the scoring against the Green Bay Packers in a game that would be won by four points. In his past two games, Bernard has posted a combined 10 receptions for 87 yards receiving (second on the team behind A.J. Green).

You pick for player of the month.