NFL Honors 2012: Matthew Stafford Deserves Comeback Player of the Year

When looking at the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, the two front runners should be Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

But Stafford deserves the award.

First, let's take a look at Smith. After five years of mediocrity under five different offensive coordinators, the former No. 1 overall pick finally blossomed this season. Smith passed for 17 touchdowns to just five interceptions and completed a career-high 61 percent of his throws.

This was after he passed for 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in the 2010 season.

On top of that, Smith led the 49ers to a 13-3 record in the regular season while leading them to five fourth-quarter comebacks, including at Detroit in Week 6. He not only played well overall, he displayed the leadership qualities needed in a franchise quarterback. He was worlds better than in any of his previous five seasons.

But when you're comparing Smith to Stafford, he simply doesn't stack up.

After a rough rookie season, passing for 13 touchdowns to 20 interceptions, Stafford showed signs of coming to life in 2010, passing for six touchdowns to one interception in three games. But a shoulder injury and ensuing surgery forced Stafford out for the rest of the season.

Flash forward to this season. Stafford, the 2009 No. 1 overall pick, exploded onto the scene behind an improved defense that helped the Lions win their last four games of 2010.

Smith's numbers simply don't compare to Stafford's. Stafford threw for over 5,000 yards this season, completing 63 percent of his throws while tossing 41 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. He threw multiple touchdowns in 11 of his games, passing for four touchdowns twice and passing for five touchdowns twice.

Stafford also led the Lions to three fourth-quarter comebacks and executed four game-winning drives this season. As a third-year quarterback, he was the heart and soul of the Lions.

Smith had an unbelievable turnaround this season under rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh, but Stafford played like a Pro Bowl-caliber player.