Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings Up For Two Awards This Week

I'll point out that "pleasanthappydude" had this over in the FanPosts first, which is nice, because this is news that should make Minnesota Vikings fans happy. . .and, as a result, even more pleasant than normal.

Over at NFL.com, Teddy Bridgewater is up for two different awards following the Vikings' 30-24 overtime win over the New York Jets this past Sunday, and you can vote for him for both of them.

Once again, Bridgewater is up for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week Award after taking the award in Week 13. Bridgewater completed 19-of-27 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns (and one meaningless interception) in Minnesota's win. This is the third time he's been nominated for the award, and he took the award home the first two times he was nominated. If he wins again this week, he will join Buffalo Bills' receiver Sammy Watkins as the only three-time winners of the award this season.

Bridgewater's competition this week comes from

-Oakland Raiders' quarterback Derek Carr (22-of-28, 254 yards, 3 TD in a 24-13 win over San Francisco)
-New York Giants' running back Andre Williams (24 carries, 131 yards and a touchdown in a 36-7 win over Tennessee)
-Carolina Panthers' cornerback Bene Benwikere (8 tackles, 2 passes defensed and an interception in a 41-10 victory over Eff Those Guys)
-Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Martavis Bryant (4 catches, 109 yards and a 94-yard touchdown in a 42-21 win over Cincinnati)

I think Carr is probably Bridgewater's stiffest competition for this week's award, as he played an outstanding game for the Raiders on Sunday. But, nobody expected Bridgewater to win the award last week, either. . .and he can win this week, too, if you go over and vote for him.

Bridgewater is also a nominee for this week's GMC "Never Say Never" Award, although this one should really be more of a group effort. Bridgewater is nominated for the 87-yard pitch-and-catch (and run) to Jarius Wright to win Sunday's game in overtime, but it obviously doesn't happen without the exploits of Wright, Greg Jennings, Kyle Rudolph, and John Sullivan. Jennings, Rudolph, and Sullivan all had great blocks on the play to spring Wright free, and #17 did the rest from there.

(Have to give a little bit of recognition to Jets' defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, who ran with Wright as long as he could and was the only Jet with a chance of stopping him until he just ran out of steam.)

The competition from that award comes from Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts for their comeback win over the Cleveland Browns, and Drew Stanton and the Arizona Cardinals for their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Just like the Rookie of the Week Award, you can vote for Bridgewater (and the Vikings) for the Never Say Never Award by clicking this link here.

Vote early and often, ladies and gentlemen!