Voters on*NFL.com*have made their choice. Quarterback Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers is the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on December 22-26, the NFL announced today.*Newton completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns in the Panthers’ 48-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also carried six times for 65 yards and a touchdown on the ground. This is Newton’s second consecutive honor and third overall.
Newton was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on*NFL.com. *The other finalists were quarterback Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Denarius Moore of the Oakland Raiders, safety Mistral Raymond of the Minnesota Vikings and running back Evan Royster of the Washington Redskins.
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 throughout the month of January. The winner will be announced at a press conference at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.
In conjunction with the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week promotion,*Panini America*produces virtual trading cards of each week’s five nominees and a virtual card for each week’s winner. 2011 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week Winners
Week 1: Randall Cobb,*Green Bay Packers
Week 2: Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders
Week 3: Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland Raiders
Week 4: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Week 5: Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Week 6: Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Week 7: DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
Week 8: Marcell Dareus, Buffalo Bills
Week 9: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Week 10: Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders
Week 11: Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Week 12: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Week 13: Colin McCarthy, Tennessee Titans
Week 14: T.J. Yates, Houston Texans
Week 15: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Week 16, Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers