And the Nominees Are . . . Voting Begins for the Week 12 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week

November 29, 2011

Want to know who gets more excited than Panini America and NFL collectors about NFL Rookie performances each week during the season? Pepsi with its NFL Rookie of the Week initiative. So it comes as no surprise after months of behind-the-scenes work that Panini America and Pepsi would come together to help promote Pepsi Rookie of the Week voting and Panini America NFL Rookie trading cards.

The payoff for collectors and NFL fans everywhere are some pretty sweet virtual cards that will be highlighted on NFL.com each week in a special Pepsi Rookie of the Week gallery, across social media platforms and the NFL.com rookies voting page. Each week Panini will feature the five Pepsi Rookie of the Week Nominees in a different Panini football card design – stay tuned to the Knights Lance, our Panini America Facebook page and hobby shops to find out about new Panini designs and what weeks they will be incorporated into Pepsi Rookie of the Week Nominees during the NFL regular season.

Now for the fun stuff . . .

Vote for the NFL Pepsi Rookie of the Week each week during the NFL regular season. Then share the image of the Pepsi Rookie of the Week Nominee you voted for on your Facebook page. In addition, post the image on the Panini America Facebook page (after you “like” us if you haven’t already) or simply comment with the nominee you voted for. On Twitter, use the hashtag #PepsiROW and mention @PaniniAmerica to Tweet out the card image of the rookie you voted for. For doing those things, you’ll be eligible to win prizes throughout the season. Oh, and there just might be a special payoff at the end of the season.

Now for your Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week nominees for Week 12:

  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 270 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals’ 23-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns. He also added 23 yards on six carries on the ground.
  • Washington Redskins running back Roy Helu carried 23 times for 108 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins’ 23-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He also added 54 yards on seven catches.
  • Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton completed 74.1 percent of his passes for 208 yards, and rushed nine times for 53 yards and a score in the Panthers’ 27-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
  • Arizona Cardinals cornerback/punt returner Patrick Peterson returned a punt 80 yards for a score in the Cardinals’ 23-20 victory over the St. Louis Rams. His return touchdown was the fourth of the season, tying the NFL record for most punt return scores in a single season. He also added five tackles.
  • Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt tallied seven tackles, including five solo stops and two sacks in the Texans’ 20-13 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also added one pass defensed.