Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Tight end Tony Moeaki of the Kansas City Chiefs is the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on September 26-27, the NFL announced Friday.
Moeaki had four catches for 44 yards, including a one-handed 18-yard TD catch in the Chiefs' 31-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Moeaki was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com/rookies. The other finalists were quarterback Sam Bradford of the St. Louis Rams, tight end Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots, running back C.J. Spiller of the Buffalo Bills, and free safety Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks.
After the regular season, five players will be nominated for 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 XLV in North Texas.
This is Pepsi's ninth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the ninth year that Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.
A closer look at the finalists:
Bradford led the Rams to their first win of the season, completing 23 of 37 passes for 235 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 30-16 victory over the Washington Redskins.
Moeaki had four catches for 44 yards including a spectacular one-handed 18-yard TD catch in the Chiefs' 31-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Spiller recorded four carries for 29 yards, three catches for 10 yards (including one touchdown), and a 95-yard kickoff return for another touchdown in the Bills' 38-30 loss to the New England Patriots.
Thomas had six tackles and two interceptions in the Seahawks' 27-20 win over the San Diego Chargers.
Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots
Hernandez had six catches for 65 yards and one rush for 13 yards in the Patriots' 38-30 win over the Buffalo Bills.
