This year's awards races in the NFL are extremely tight and they will finally be revealed on Saturday night live on CBS in an event hosted by Emmy award-winning actor Alec Baldwin.
The top awards competitions are for the MVP and the rookie of the year, with names like Adrian Peterson, Peyton Manning, Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson jockeying for the win. The show will have a number of guests and presenters, including NFL players like Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Arian Foster, Victor Cruz and Jamaal Charles and AJ Green.
AP Most Valuable Player: Adrian Peterson, Vikings
The MVP race is the closest it's been in recent history, with Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in the running to win it. Both players deserve the award, but Peterson is the pick here. He had one of the best seasons for a running back in the past decade and helped lead the Vikings to the playoffs.
Making it even more amazing, Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards less than a year after reconstructive knee surgery. He scored 12 touchdowns while rushing for over 100 yards in 10 games. Over the second half of the season, when the Vikings needed to win to make the playoffs, Peterson was simply fantastic, rushing for 150-plus yards in seven of the last nine games. A close race, but its Peterson's award.
AP Coach of the Year: Bruce Arians, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were the worst team in the NFL and made the playoffs this year after going 11-5, which is reason enough for the award. But this year, things were even more difficult for Arians and the Colts, as head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with cancer during the season and had to leave the team. Arians went 9-3 and helped guide Andrew Luck through his first rookie season and the first playoff appearance of the post-Peyton Manning era.
AP Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Peterson could take this award home too, but voters will want to share the love and honor both men for their amazing seasons. After leaving his only franchise with the Colts and returning from multiple neck surgeries, Manning looked like his old self, throwing for 4,659 yards and 37 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while completing nearly 70 percent of his passes. He led the Broncos the playoffs and a number one seed.
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
This award could easily go to any of the three rookie quarterbacks in Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson and Robert Griffin III, but Wilson was a total surprise this season. As the top two picks, Luck and Griffin were expected to be this good this fast. Wilson had the potential, but no one expected him to lead his team to the playoffs and to tie the rookie record for passing touchdowns,
AP Comeback Player of the Year: Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson
IF there is any justice in the world, these two both will take home this award. One come back from reconstructive knee surgery, while the other is coming off of four neck surgeries. Manning and Peterson had elite seasons after serious injuries and both deserve the win.
Bridgestone Play of the Year: Golden Tate's TD Catch Against Packers
It won't be this play, but it should be this play. This was the most memorable and controversial moment of the 2012 season. The touchdown by Tate effectively ended the referee lockout and made Packers fans hate the Seahawks for eternity.
