FLACCO EXPECTED TO WIN AWARD

After receiving zero votes for the Associated Press’ NFL Rookie of the Year award, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is expected to be named the Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, Scout.com’s Adam Caplan reports. Citing a league source, Caplan said that Flacco is expected to beat out Atlanta Falcons quarteback Matt Ryan, who won the AP rookie prize, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte and Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton. The award will be announced at a press conference at the Super Bowl in Tampa, Fla., this Thursday. Flacco became the first rookie quarterback to win two playoff games, not committing a turnover or a sack in victories over the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans before throwing three interceptions in the AFC title game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.