Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Wide receiver Jacoby Ford of the Oakland Raiders is the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on Nov. 7-8, the NFL announced on Friday.
Ford had six receptions for 148 yards, including key catches in the game-tying drive at the end of regulation and the game-winning drive at the end of overtime in addition to a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Raiders' 23-20 overtime win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ford was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com/rookies. The other finalists were wide receiver Seyi Ajirotut of the San Diego Chargers, safety Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Colt McCoy of the Cleveland Browns, and wide receiver Mike Williams of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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:
Seyi Ajirotutu, WR,
San Diego Chargers
Ajirotutu made four catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Chargers' 29-23 win over the Houston Texans.
Berry had four tackles and two sacks in the Chiefs' 23 – 20 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Williams had four receptions for 89 yards with one touchdown in the Buccaneers' 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
