For a season that felt like it was drifting into the abyss of another "what if" year, the New Orleans Saints have suddenly found a reason to look at the scoreboard again. The catalyst? Tyler Shough.

Fresh off a gritty 20-17 victory over the Carolina Panthers, marking the Saints' first winning streak of the season, Shough has officially been nominated for the NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 15. While a weekly nomination might seem like a small consolation for a 4-10 team, for the Who Dat Nation, it represents something far more significant, a legitimate answer at the most important position in sports.

On paper, Shough’s Week 15 performance was spot on. He finished 24-of-32 for 272 yards and a touchdown. But statistics only tell half the story. To understand why Shough deserves the "belt" this week, you have to look at the final five minutes of Sunday's game.

Faced with a seven-point deficit, the second-round pick out of Louisville didn't blink. He orchestrated a game-tying drive capped by a touchdown strike to Chris Olave).

"Having somebody back there that’s fearless... he took a great amount of hits today, kept bouncing back in, and getting back up. That shows a lot as a leader."

— Chris Olave, Saints WR

The most compelling argument for Shough’s nomination isn't just his arm; it’s his resilience. After sitting the first eight weeks of the season behind Spencer Rattler, Shough has transformed this offense. In a draft class featuring high-profile names like Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders, Shough is quietly putting up the most passing yards per game among rookie starters.

Rookie QB                            Comp%        PYG              QB Rating

Tyler Shough (NO)              68.2%            235.0           91.7

Jaxson Dart (NYG)             63.6%            194.5             94.2

Shedeur Sanders (CLE)     60.0%            179.0            90.8

The Saints may have been eliminated from the playoffs, but they are playing like a team that has found its identity. Shough's ability to navigate the pocket and his "escape-artist" tendencies have given Kellen Moore's offense a spark that was missing for most of the year.

Is Tyler Shough the Week 15 Rookie of the Week? He faces stiff competition from the likes of Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. and Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt. However, Shough’s impact is measured in more than just sacks or rushing yards. He is a quarterback who has salvaged the culture of a locker room in a rebuilding year.

WhoDat Fans can vote for Shough here and whether he wins the official award on Thursday or not, the message is clear, the Saints didn't just find a backup this year; they may have found that "guy."