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NFL Awards Watch: Week 12

Rookie Sheldon Richardson (bottom) has been a force up front for the Jets all season.

Rookie Sheldon Richardson (bottom) has been a force up front for the Jets all season.

3. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions (3): Brutal week for Megatron because he was, for the second week in a row, essentially shut out for an entire half by Darrelle Revis, and his drop with under a minute to go cost the Lions the game. Even so, Johnson broke the century mark in receiving for the sixth time this season and is on pace to catch 96 passes for 1,742 yards and 16 touchdowns. Those marks would give Johnson three of the 10 best seasons ever by a receiver. He won't win this award in all likelihood, but let's not forget to appreciate the historic level at which Johnson is playing.

3. Ron Rivera, Carolina Panthers (3): Rivera is really 2b. to Kelly and the margin is razor thin. The Panthers avoided a letdown after the Patriots game with a slim win over the Dolphins, but a monstrous run of games in December will prove if Carolina has arrived as contenders and if Rivera truly has evolved as a coach. A 10-6 or 11-5 record and a wild-card berth are very much in play and that could be enough to get him votes.

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