Athlon Sports' 2012 NFL Preseason Awards

The favorites for MVP, Defensive, Rookie, Coach of the Year and more.

The 2012 NFL season kicks off with a Wednesday night showdown between the reigning Super Bowl champion New York Giants and their NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys — in the first of 256 regular season games that span from Sept. 4 until Dec. 30.

Before a snap has been taken, Athlon Sports looks into our crystal ball in an attempt to predict who will be award-worthy after the dust settles this season.

COMMENTS

Tom Brady's Patriots Crush Tim Tebow's Broncos

Tim Tebow is 5-0 on the road, 2-2 at home and 0-1 against Tom Brady.

Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

COMMENTS

NFL Picks: Every Game, Week 10

A look at every NFL game for Week 10, along with the consensus pick of Athlon Sports' editors.

A quick preview of every game on the NFL schedule for Week 10, along with the consensus picks of Athlon Sports editors Mitchell Light, Rob Doster, Nathan Rush, Patrick Snow and Steven Lassan:

COMMENTS

Matthew Stafford Will Play in Week 8; But Here's Why He's Not A Good Start

The Broncos' Champ Bailey will make it hard for Stafford to pile up points

Matthew Stafford has battled a sprained right ankle injury that he suffered on the final offensive play of last week’s loss to Atlanta. His status for Sunday’s game at Denver has been iffy all week long, but it looks like he will be a go for the Week 8 contest. He was a full participant in Friday’s practice after being limited the previous two days.

COMMENTS

Redskins, Falcons, Lions and Eagles Among NFL's Biggest Surprises

Through four weeks of the season, the Redskins, Lions, Eagles and Falcons are some of the surprise teams.

by Josh Kipnis

The rules to trash talking are simple-if you are up, let ‘em have it; if you are down, shut your mouth. But either way, beware, because the tides turn quickly.

A quarter of the way through the 2011 NFL season, we can already distinguish between the teams that have a right to rant, and the teams that are biting their tongues.

Right to Rant: Washington Redskins

COMMENTS

Detroit Lions 4-0 For First Time Since 1980

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions on the comeback trail after rallying to beat Dallas Cowboys.

by Nathan Rush

Finally healthy, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is leading the race for Comeback Player of the Year by leading Detroit on a series of comebacks.

COMMENTS

Aaron Rodgers Scores Six Touchdowns

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers headlines the NFL's top performers from Week 4.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

COMMENTS

Is Calvin Johnson the best receiver in the NFL?

The Detroit Lions are 4-0 for the first time in 31 years thanks to a huge comeback win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The Lions and the Green Bay Packers are the NFL's lone remaining undefeated teams, and like the defending Super Bowl champions, the Lions have put a lot of points on the scoreboard these first four weeks.

COMMENTS

Detroit Lions: The NFL's Team of Destiny

The come-from-behind victory over Dallas has Lions fans excited about 2011.

-by Rob Doster

COMMENTS

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 3

We rank enough players at each position to appease everyone from those in 8-team leagues to 16-team leagues, those that can start two QBs, two TEs, three RBs and four WRs. We cut out the rest, because if you're looking at who the 50th-best running back or the 17th-best kicker is for that week, you need more help than any Website can give you. Click here for all of our fantasy football rankings each week.

These rankings are our suggestions, but of course as always: You are responsible for setting your own lineup.

2011 NFL Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings

Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Kickers
Defense/Special Teams

Athlon Sports Week 3 Start and Sit

Athlon Sports Week 3 Waiver Wire

Athlon Sports Week 3 IDP Waiver

Rankings are based upon Athlon Sports' standard scoring system:

OFFENSIVE SCORING
All touchdowns are 6 points
1 point for 25 yards passing
1 point for 10 yards rushing/receiving
Receptions are .5 points
Interceptions/fumbles are minus-2 points

DEFENSIVE SCORING
0 points allowed = 12 points
1-6 points allowed = 10 points
7-13 points allowed = 8 pts
14-20 points allowed = 6 points
21-27 points allowed = 2 pts
28+ points allowed = 0 points
Safeties = 2 points
Fumbles recovered = 2 points
Interceptions = 2 points
Sacks = 1 point
Defensive/Special Teams TDs = 6 points

KICKER SCORING
PATs = 1 point
39 yards and under = 3 points
40-49 yards = 4 points
50-59 yards = 5 points
60+ yards = 6 points