Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on Dec. 18-22. Ryan completed 13 of 24 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown as the Falcons defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-17.

Running back Matt Forte of the Chicago Bears, quarterback Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens, defensive tackle Jason Jones of the Tennessee Titans and running back Kevin Smith of the Detroit Lions were the other finalists for the award.

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.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Forte rushed for 73 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries and added two receptions for 28 yards in the Bears' 20-17 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers.

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Flacco completed 17 of 25 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown as the Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys 33-24 on NFL Network's Saturday Night Football.

Jason Jones, DT, Tennessee Titans

Jones had 3.5 sacks, forced three fumbles and recorded five tackles in the Titans' 31-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons

Ryan completed 13 of 24 passes for 134 yards and one touchdown as the Falcons defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-17.

Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions

Smith rushed for 111 yards and one touchdown on 24 carries in the Lions' 42-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints.