NFL Honors 2012: Which Players Will Take Home the Hardware on Saturday Night?

The NFL is putting on its first true "awards show" on Saturday evening, the night before Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, to honor the best and brightest stars and coaches in the league today. 

The red carpet show begins at 8 p.m. EST on the NFL Network.

The awards special begins at 9 p.m. EST and will be aired nationally on NBC. 

So who will take home the hardware on Super Bowl eve?

Note: All the following are AP awards.

MVP 

After about 10 games in 2011, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a lock to win the league's most prestigious award. Not that he significantly faltered down the stretch—it's just that New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees went berserk in the last half of the season.

He demolished Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record and actually finished with more touchdown passes than Rodgers.

Some say Tom Brady's performance, taking a team with the worst defense in football to a 13-3 record and the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC playoffs is MVP-worthy.

And yes, he also passed for more than 5,084 yards, which puts him second all-time behind Brees.

Still, I think Rodgers and Brees were in the spotlight more this season.  

Who should win: Anyone. Brady, Brees and Rodgers are all deserving.

Who will win: Aaron Rodgers

Walter Payton Man of the Year

One player from each team is nominated for their efforts as a humanitarian. The NFL loves the Tim Tebow hype, what they'd love even more is to keep it going after his subpar ending to the 2011 season.

Then again, there could be some incredible volunteer out there I don't know about.  

Who should win: Tim Tebow?

Who will win: Tim Tebow 

Coach of the Year

This is a no-brainer. Jim Harbaugh brought a new culture to San Francisco, leading a team that went 6-10 in 2010 to a robust 13-3 record and the NFC West division crown. 

They did it with fearsome defense and, most importantly, consistent and poised quarterback play from much-maligned quarterback Alex Smith.

A great story out of the Bay Area this year.

Any other season, the Detroit Lions' Jim Schwartz wins this award. 

Who should win: Jim Harbaugh

Who will win: Jim Harbaugh 

Comeback Player of the Year

This award isn't as easy to predict. The two guys that have the strongest cases are the San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and the New York Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress. 

Smith improved his QB rating by nearly eight points in 2011, tossed three more touchdowns and five fewer interceptions. He also threw for nearly 800 more yards on his division-winning club. 

Meanwhile, Burress came back from a lengthy stay in prison and had a strong season with a Jets team that ultimately underachieved. He caught 45 passes for 612 yards and eight touchdowns.

Smith was more impressive because his team was successful, but the writers will look to Burress' high-profile saga when determining the winner.  

Who should win: Alex Smith 

Who will win: Plaxico Burress

Offensive Player of the Year

Many, many players are solid candidates for this award. Because he broke Marino's record, I think Brees has the inside track, but Rodgers' and the Packers' success during the regular season definitely goes into the equation. 

There wasn't a phenomenal season from any running backs in 2011, and Calvin Johnson is the only receiver worthy of this award. He was unstoppable this year. 

Who should win: Drew Brees

Who will win: Drew Brees 

Defensive Player of the Year

Another award with a few extremely worthy candidates. Terrell Suggs was the reliable terrorizing force on the vaunted Baltimore Ravens defense in 2011, totaling 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles and a surprising two interceptions. The Minnesota Vikings' eccentric and menacing defensive end Jared Allen recorded a ridiculous 22 sacks, but his team went a disappointing 3-13.

My favorite for the award is the 49ers' Justin Smith, who was the most relentless run-stuffer and pass-rusher in the NFL this season, in my estimation. The 11-year pro had 58 tackles, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

He was best all-around defensive lineman that epitomizes the phrase "wreaking havoc." He also created many holes for rookie pass-rusher Aldon Smith, who ended the season with 14 sacks of his own. 

Who should win: Justin Smith

Who will win: Terrell Suggs

Offensive Rookie of the Year 

Duh. Cam Newton. The guy exceeded every expectation this season, accounted for 35 total touchdowns and broke Peyton Manning's single-season passing-yard mark for a rookie. 

Who should win: Cam Newton 

Who will win: Cam Newton

Defensive Rookie of the Year

A two-way battle between the Denver Broncos' Von Miller and the 49ers' Aldon Smith. During the beginning stages of Tebow-mania, Miller was astounding, but his production tailed off at the end of the year. 

Conversely, Smith was consistent all season, and it wasn't until the end of the year that he received much-deserved notoriety.

Miller had 11.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, while Smith registered 14 sacks with two forced fumbles. 

Who should win: Aldon Smith 

Who will win: Aldon Smith 

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