Rookie running backs are making their marks in the NFL, and Saquon Barkley stands atop them all.
Following his 10th game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage, the second overall pick by the Giants is up for yet another Pepsi Rookie of the Week Award. It comes a week after he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week as the awards, nominations, and records continue to mount.
In the Giants' 25-22 loss to the Eagles in Week 12, Barkley propelled the team to a 346-yard, 19-point first half with a 51-yard touchdown run and a 13-yard score through the air to start the game. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the first Giants player to score on both a run and a reception in back-to-back games since Elvin (Kink) Richards in 1933. The last Giants player to have multiple games with running and receiving touchdowns in the same season was Ron Johnson in 1973.
Barkley has now scored 12 touchdowns, tying the Giants' rookie record held by Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) and Bill Paschal (1943). Barkley, who is fourth in the NFL in rushing yards, increased his total yards from scrimmage to 1,410 (829 rushing, 581 receiving), which is also a Giants rookie record. Beckham had held the mark with 1,340 yards from scrimmage in 2014.
Here is a look at the nominees for Pepsi Rookie of the Week:
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants: The running back had 142 scrimmage yards (101 rushing, 41 receiving) and two touchdowns in the Giants' 25-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns: The quarterback completed 19 of 26 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns in the Browns' 35-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sony Michel, New England Patriots: The running back rushed for 133 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries in the Patriots' 27-13 win over the New York Jets.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns: The running back had 128 scrimmage yards (84 rushing, 44 receiving) and two touchdowns in the Browns' 35-20 win over Cincinnati.
Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos: The running back rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in the Broncos' 24-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
