NFL FanHouse Midseason Midtacular: Best Rookie of the Half-Season

Every NFL team has now played eight games, meaning the season has reached the halfway point. So this week we're presenting our NFL FanHouse Midseason Midtacular.

Rookie of the Half-Season nominees:

Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
Minnesota took Peterson with the seventh-overall pick in April, and that's starting to look like a Tom Brady-in-the-sixth-round type steal. Through eight games, Peterson has 1,036 yards on 158 carries, good for a eye-popping 6.6 average. But it gets better: Peterson has only started five games, has five times rushed for more than 100 yards, and twice rushed for more than 200 yards (including last week's 296-yard effort against the Chargers).

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills
Buffalo was in the market for a franchise running back after sending that fraud Willis McGahee to the Ravens for draft picks. In hindsight, Marv Levy comes off smelling like roses on that deal. Lynch has been the starter from Week 1, rushing for 690 yards on 117 carries (3.9 average), including five touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown against the Bengals, but I don't know if that's more sad than impressive. Lynch would likely lead the Rookie of the Year voting if not for Purple Jesus up above.
Sorry, No Photos
Patrick Willis, LB, 49ers
There's not much good to say about the San Francisco 49ers. Off the top of my head, I can think of two things: they started 2-0, which was encouraging; Patrick Willis is a beast, which still is encouraging. Willis reminds many experts of Ray Lewis sans all the killing. I'd point out that he doesn't have a ridiculous pregame dance, which is a refreshing change. Willis leads the NFL in tackles with 59, and has a half-sack and a forced fumble. He also almost killed Hines Ward.

ROBO-PUNTER, P, Steelers
Daniel Sepulveda, Pittsburgh's fourth-round pick, has no real shot at winning here, but makes the list because of this. Plain and simple.

And the winner is...

Adrian Peterson. Duh. And if he keeps it up, he'll be the league MVP.