Giovani Bernard not a candidate for NFL.com's Pepsi Next Rookie of the Week

Maybe it's just our ridiculous perspectives, being as we're Bengals fans supporting Giovani Bernard. Unfortunately, of the five nominations for Pepsi Next Rookie of the Week, Bernard was not one. Leading the way is Bills quarterback E.J. Manuel, Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopskins, Cardinals cornerback Tyrann Mathieu, Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin, and Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson.

Giovani Bernard touched the football nine times for 65 yards from scrimmage, scoring a rushing and receiving touchdown; Cincinnati's lone scores against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football.

Manuel, I get. A last-second touchdown to seal a comeback win over the Carolina Panthers is a big deal. Even Hopkins was hoppin' against the Tennessee Titans and Patterson's storyline is a beautiful counter against Randy Moss' childish "don't wear my number" rant.

However, Mathieu (with six tackles, one for loss, and a pass defensed) didn't necessarily contribute more to Arizona's cause than Bernard did to Cincinnati, who single-handedly scored every touchdown for the Bengals. Austin scored as many touchdowns as Bernard, during a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, with fewer yards from scrimmage.