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In four games played during the month of October, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Sammy Watkins caught 21 passes for 393 yards and three touchdowns. For his efforts, he has been named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Month.
The feat includes back-to-back, 100-yard receiving performances in successive wins over the Minnesota Vikings (17-16, in which Watkins recorded the game-winning touchdown with seconds to spare) and the New York Jets (43-23, in which Watkins averaged 52.3 yards per catch).
He is, according to the Bills, the first offensive rookie in team history to win this award. Last season, linebacker Kiko Alonso won the award on defense for the month of September.
Thus far in his rookie season, Watkins has caught 38 passes for 590 yards and five touchdowns, putting him on pace to easily smash franchise records for statistical output by a rookie receiver. He is also among the early front-runners for the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award. For the 5-3 Bills, Watkins will remain a critical piece in the team's push for the postseason.