Buffalo’s Marcell Dareus Voted Week 8 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week (with Interview)

Voters on NFL.com have made their choice. Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus of the Buffalo Bills is the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week for games played on October 30-31, the NFL announced today. (Look for an exclusive interview with the Bills’ gentle giant after the jump.)

Dareus, who was switched to nose tackle from defensive end before the game, was credited with four tackles and 2.5 sacks in the Bills’ 23-0 win over the Washington Redskins.

Dareus was selected from among five finalists through fan votes on NFL.com. The other finalists were wide receiver Jon Baldwin of the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Christian Ponder of the Minnesota Vikings and wide receiver Titus Young 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 XLVI in Indianapolis.

This is Pepsi’s tenth year as the official soft drink sponsor of the NFL and the tenth year that Pepsi will present the NFL Rookie of the Week and NFL Rookie of the Year awards.

Week 1 Randall Cobb, Green Bay Packers

Week 2 Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders

Week 3 Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland Raiders

Week 4 Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Week 5 Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Week 6 Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Week 7 DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys