Week 8 Bama Pro of the Week: Patrick Surtain II

Each week during the NFL regular season, I'll award one standout Alabama player of the week whose performance boosted his team to victory. The only criteria being his team must win. At the end of the season, I'll name the MVP and hand out a few other awards to recognize the excellence the Alabama Crimson Tide has present in the NFL.

With a league-best 55 (counting Jalen Hurts) active players under contract across 28 franchises, there are plenty of options to choose from. Here's this week's winner:

Denver Broncos rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain was drafted 9th overall to be a shutdown cover corner. He shut down one of the better receivers in the league in Week 8, earning him the Bama Pro of the Week award.

Fittingly, Surtain was matched up on Terry McLaurin for much of the day Sunday, but even if the Washington receiver is nicknamed "Scary" Terry, the guy they call "PS2" won the day on Halloween.

McLaurin was held to three receptions for 23 yards, his worst performance of the season. Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke targetted his number one receiver seven times. While Surtain didn't line up across from McLaurin on every snap, he certainly played a major role in holding the Washington receiver to his own averages for the season.

Through eight games, Surtain has allowed just 51% of the passes thrown in his direction to be completed, none for over 20 yards. On the season, Surtain has allowed just 23 completions for 236 yards and two touchdowns.

Next week, Surtain will have his toughest test yet. His Broncos will travel to Jerry World to take on the Amari Cooper and the Dallas Cowboys.

Read More: Best Crimson Tide Performances from NFL Week Eight

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And now for our honorable mentions:

• Najee Harris, Steelers: 26 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown with three receptions for 29 yards.
• Amari Cooper, Cowboys: Eight receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown.
• Quinnen Williams, Jets: Two tackles including a sack and a pass deflection.
• Landon Collins, Washington: Eight tackles, two for a loss including a sack.

Be sure to tune back into tide1009.com each Tuesday to see the Bama Pro of the Week throughout the NFL season. Here's each winner from the 2021 season so far:

Week 1 Bama Pro of the Week: Jalen Hurts

Week 2 Bama Pro of the Week: Derrick Henry

Week 3 Bama Pro of the Week: Trevon Diggs

Week 4 Bama Pro of the Week: CJ Mosley

Week 5 Bama Pro of the Week: Najee Harris

Week 6: Bama Pro of the Week: Derrick Henry

Week 7 Bama Pro of the Week: Mac Jones