NFL Honors 2012 Predictions: Matthew Stafford Set for Comeback Player Award

The roll call of worthy contenders for the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award at the 2012 NFL Honors is replete with resurgent quarterbacks, though Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions stands above the rest.

Stafford finally broke out in 2011 after he spent two years struggling with injuries and inconsistency. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 5,038 yards with 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while leading the Lions to their first playoff berth in 12 years. Stafford's yardage total also made him just the fourth signal-caller in NFL history to crack the 5,000-yard mark, joining Dan Marino, Drew Brees and Tom Brady in that exclusive fraternity.

Stafford started all 16 games for Detroit this season after appearing in just 13 games over his first two campaigns, both of which were cut short by injuries to his throwing shoulder.

Don't expect Stafford to simply run away with the CPOY, though. His position, in particular, is stacked with worthy candidates. Tony Romo will garner some consideration for the award, and not just because he plays for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo connected on 66.3 percent of his throws for 4,184 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 picks after missing 10 games in 2010 with a broken left clavicle.

The real dark horse, though, may well be Alex Smith. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft came into the 2011 season with his career firmly on the line, after six forgettable years with the San Francisco 49ers.

With the help of likely Coach of the Year, Jim Harbaugh, Smith went from an unequivocal bust to a surprisingly reliable signal-caller, accumulating 3,144 yards and 17 touchdowns against just five picks for the 13-3 Niners.

Still, as impressive as the turnarounds were for Romo and Smith, nobody's leap from "off the street" to elite was as remarkable as Stafford's.

And for that, he deserves to be named the Comeback Player of the Year.

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