Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Running back Chris Ivory of the New Orleans Saints is the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on October 17-18, the NFL announced on Friday.
Ivory rushed 15 times for 158 yards and added 17 receiving yards in the Saints' 31-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ivory was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com/rookies. The other finalists were wide receiver Danario Alexander of the St. Louis Rams, linebacker Jermaine Cunningham of the New England Patriots, free safety Cody Grimm of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions.
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:
Alexander had four catches for 72 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown reception in the Rams' 20-17 win over the San Diego Chargers.
Jermaine Cunningham, LB, New England Patriots
Cunningham had six tackles, one sack and a forced one fumble in the Patriots' 23-20 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Grimm had four tackles, one interception and a forced in the Buccaneers' 31-6 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Ivory rushed 15 times for 158 yards in the Saints' 31-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.