ATLANTA — It’s a doubleheader sweep for Saquon Barkley.

A few days after winning Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, the Giants star running back was named Saturday as the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year during the NFL Honors program where Most Valuable Player, Coach of the Year and other top awards are handed out.

Even though the Pepsi honor comes from a wider field that includes defensive players, the AP honor dates back to 1967 and is considered the primary award.

“It’s crazy to think you dream about stuff like this when you are a little kid,” said Barkley, who was sitting near both Barry Sanders and Curtis Martin in The Fox Theatre.

“You get nervous. All the great players, former and current, legends, a lot of those guys won awards like this. For my name to be on this award, obviously with the help of my teammates on the Giants is truly an honor.”

Barkley and his main competition, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield, placed a bet on the voting, which is conducted by 50 media members. The winner gets a “chain.”

“I knew it was going to be a really close race and I didn’t know who was going to win,” Barkley said.

“The bad thing about that (bet) is the loser gets to pick. I don’t pick. With Baker Mayfield, you never know what you are going to get. We made a fun bet to show we both want to win the award, but it’s about our friendship. I did win, so I do get a chain. Whatever he picks, I’m going to wear as a gift.”

Mayfield was the No. 1 overall pick, one spot ahead of Barkley, in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The last time the top two picks finished atop the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year vote was 2012, when No. 2 pick Robert Griffin III edged No. 1 pick Andrew Luck.

The award was presented to Barkley on stage at The Fox Theatre by actress Vanessa Hudgens and Giants teammate Odell Beckham, who won in 2014.

“It’s funny because he has been calling me ‘Rookie of the Year’ before I was even his teammate, before I was drafted to the Giants and ever since I met him,” Barkley said. “He said, ‘I hope you win Rookie of the Year and I’m going to be there to present it to you.' For him to up there and name me for Rookie of the Year is amazing. I’m very thankful."

Barkley led the NFL in yards from scrimmage and finished second in rushing yards but the Giants only improved from three wins to five in his first season. Meanwhile, Mayfield, who didn’t make his debut until Week 3, led the Browns from zero wins in 2017 to seven in 2018.

Barkley broke the record for receptions by a rookie running back and did not fumble on 352 total touches from scrimmage. He also was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Year as the top running back in the NFL, surprising a field that included NFL touchdowns leader Todd Gurley.

Mayfield set the record for passing touchdowns by a rookie.

The Browns and Giants are tied for the most losses (24) in the NFL over the last two seasons.

The AP award has gone to a running back in three of the last four seasons as Barkley joins Todd Gurley of the Rams and Alvin Kamara of the Saints.

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.