Voters on NFL.com and via Sprint wireless service have made their choice. Quarterback Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons is the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on Oct. 12-13.
Ryan completed 22 of 30 passes for 301 yards and one touchdown against a tough Bears defense in the Falcons' 22-20 win over Chicago. Ryan posted his first career 300-yard passing game and threw a perfect pass to WR Michael Jenkins to set up the game-winning field goal with one second remaining on the clock.
Ryan was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com/rookies and via Sprint wireless service. The other finalists were linebacker Geno Hayes of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wide receiver DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive end Chris Long of the St. Louis Rams and free safety Corey Lynch of the Cincinnati Bengals.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/rookies throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay.
Hayes made three tackles, defensed a pass, and blocked a punt and returned the ball 22 yards for a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 27–3 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Chris Long, DE, St. Louis Rams
Corey Lynch, FS,
Cincinnati Bengals
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan completed 22 of 30 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown, and set up the Falcons' winning field goal with a 26-yard pass to Michael Jenkins in Atlanta's 22-20 win over the Bears.