Todd Gurley, Johnny Hekker Take Home NFC Monthly Awards

The St. Louis Rams had a successful month of October. The team went 2-1, defeating the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns while falling to the Green Bay Packers. The team’s success has not gone unnoticed as the Rams brought home two NFC Player of the Month awards – NFC Offensive Rookie of the Month to Todd Gurley and NFC Special Teams Player of the Month to Johnny Hekker.

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For Hekker, he collects his first Player of the Month award in his career. He also becomes just the second member of the Rams to ever win the award – joining Sean Landeta who accomplished the feat. Hacker punted 16 times in the month, totaling 773 yards, good for an average of 48.3 yards per punt in the month of October. Hacker was also involved in a fake punt against the Packers, completing the pass for 20 yards. On the season, Hekker ranks 9th in the NFL in net punting average.

Oct 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; St. Louis Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 24-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Gurley winning the Offensive Rookie of the Month award is a groundbreaking award for the team. He becomes the first running back in franchise history to win the award. Gurley rushed 68 times for 433 yards and two touchdowns on the month.

He became the youngest player in NFL history to have three-consecutive game of more than 125 yards rushing. He became the first rookie to accomplish that feat since Cadillac Williams did so in 2005.

Gurley leads all rookies in rushing yards, despite playing in just four games this season. He also leads the NFL in 4th quarter rushing yards, per Casey Pearce, with 213 yards rushing in the 4th quarter. His 9.27 yards per carry in the 4th quarter has been one of the main reasons the Rams went 2-1 in the month.

With the Rams entering a rivalry game against the San Francisco 49ers to start November, both Hekker and Gurley will play a major role in any success the Rams have going forward. They currently sit in 2nd in the NFC West standings, and could pull within one game of the Cardinals in the win column.

Next: Offensive Player of the Year Candidates (After Week 7)

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