The 16th week of the 2021 NFL season took place over Christmas and Boxing Day. Here are the top five rookies from the week.
5) Ja’Marr Chase–Cincinnati Bengals
The native of Harvey, Louisiana is trying to help the Cincinnati Bengals win their division for the first time since 2015. Ja’Marr Chase caught seven passes for 125 yards as the Bengals defeated the Baltimore Ravens 41-21. As a result, the Bengals improved to a record of nine wins and six losses in the tough AFC North.
4) DeVonta Smith–Philadelphia Eagles
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner continued his productive rookie season on Sunday with five catches for 80 yards and one touchdown in a 34-10 Philadelphia Eagles win over the New York Giants. The Eagles have now won three in a row, and hold down the seventh seed in the NFC at eight wins and seven losses.
3) Jaylen Waddle–Miami Dolphins
One could make the argument that no team in professional sports in recent memory has had a bigger turnaround to their season than the Miami Dolphins. After starting the year at 1-7, they have now won seven games in a row to improve to 8-7. On Monday night the world got to see the Waddle Waddle. Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle did a little waddle dance after a one-yard touchdown catch from Tua Tagovailoa. He finished the game with 10 catches for 92 yards and one touchdown in a 20-3 Dolphins win in New Orleans.
2) Davis Mills–Houston Texans
The Texans rookie QB won his second consecutive game on Sunday. A week after guiding Houston to a 30-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mills exemplified pinpoint accuracy with a career-high 77.78% completion percentage in a 41-29 Texans upset win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Mills completed 21 of 27 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers now fall to 8-7, and are in a battle to make the playoffs in the AFC.
1) Zach Wilson–New York Jets
The second overall pick out of BYU has had a bit of a tough season in 2021, as the New York Jets are only 3-8. However on Sunday, Wilson showed promise as he had a 52-yard touchdown run in a 26-21 Jets win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wilson had four carries for 91 yards and one touchdown, along with completing 14 of 22 passes for 102 yards and another major score.
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