Life in the NFL is hard, as rookies everywhere are finding out after their first taste of action. While in your typical year rookies have the preseason to be phased into the realm of professional football, the rookie class of 2020 has to endure a baptism by fire. We're playing for keeps right out of the gate.

Which rookie performers were able to make the most of the pro action in Week 9? We, along with our partners at Panini, are recognizing the best of the best each week. Here are the Offensive Rookies of the Week from each conference for Week 8 of the 2020 NFL season.

AFC OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

It seems like all the questions about whether or not the Miami Dolphins picked the right quarterback have gone away—at least for a week. In an impressive win against the Arizona Cardinals, not only did the Dolphins as a whole impress, but so did Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa was 20-of-28 for 248 yards with two touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 35 yards. He currently has a quarterback rating of 103.8 with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in his two starts this season. It was an impressive first road start against a team that could very well be in the playoffs this year. One sign of a franchise quarterback is what he does in critical moments in the game. What may have been the most impressive part of his win on Sunday was how he played in those moments. With the game on the line, he was 6-for-8 for 77 yards, one touchdown, and had a 144.7 quarterback rating—with three carries for 24 yards—on Miami’s final three possessions to close out the game. If this game is any indication of what’s to come, he has already proven he can play with poise and come up clutch when the game is on the line.

NFC OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

WR CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys’ season has been disappointing, to say the least. However, they can be encouraged by their first-round draft pick CeeDee Lamb. Donning the iconic No. 88 for that franchise, he has already lived up to the billing and figures to be next in a long line of talented Cowboys receivers. He continues to be a bright spot in a season that has been largely disappointing for Dallas. Playing against the team with the NFL’s best record and one of the best defenses in the league, Lamb was targeted seven times, catching four passes for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers—he was the leading receiver for the Cowboys in Week 9. Although it wouldn’t be enough to hand the Steelers their first loss of the season, Lamb has undoubtedly come as advertised and looks to continue his stellar play in spite of the musical chairs being played at the quarterback position.