Jets QB Geno Smith Wins 2013 Pepsi NEXT Week 5 NFL Rookie of the Week Honors

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Quarterback Geno Smith of the New York Jets is the Week 5 2013 Pepsi NEXT NFL Rookie of the Week for games played October 3-7, the NFL announced today. Smith completed 16-of-20 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns in the Jets’ 30-28 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Smith also rushed three times for 21 yards.

Smith was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com. The other finalists for Week 5 were cornerback Tyrann Mathieu of the Arizona Cardinals, running back Eddie Lacy of the Green Bay Packers, running back Zac Stacy of the St. Louis Rams and wide receiver Terrance Williams of the Dallas Cowboys.

After the regular season, five players will be nominated for Pepsi NEXT NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/rookies throughout the month of January. The Pepsi NEXT NFL Rookie of the Year will be announced at the third annual NFL Honors awards show in New York City on on Saturday, February 2, the night before Super Bowl XLVIII.

In conjunction with the 2013 Pepsi NEXT 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. At the end of the regular season, Panini America will produce an actual trading card set of all weekly winners. Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional details.