If you’re following NFL scores, that means you may be thinking about the year-end awards for this season, and when it comes to the Defensive Rookie of the Year, it is a two-horse race, although there are a couple of other first-year players that could crash the party.

Von Miller, Denver

For all the talk about Tim Tebow, the Denver defense has fueled the Broncos’ run and Miller has been the heart of that unit, racking up 64 tackles and 11.5 sacks heading into the final week of the season. Most sportsbook reviews figured Miller would be an impact player, but he has exceeded expectations and quarterbacks in the AFC are going to see a lot of Miller over the next few days. He isn’t just a pass rusher, either, and the Broncos are going to build around Miller.

Aldon Smith, San Francisco

Smith has quietly put together a great season for the 49ers, who have been a nice surprise as price per head companies that help set lines didn’t have them winning the division at the beginning of the season, much less a third seed in the NFC. Smith has 35 tackles and 14.5 sacks, although he doesn’t have the amount of tackles that Miller has, but Miller is a linebacker, while Smith is a linebacker that has been playing more end. Look for his tackles to rise if he is asked to do more in the upcoming years for San Francisco.

Patrick Peterson, Arizona

Peterson got off to a slow start, but the cornerback has 60 tackles and a pair of picks going into the last game of the season. But some players that use a price per head sports service will see some similarities between Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu, who was a Heisman candidate at LSU, Peterson’s alma mater. Peterson’s biggest contributions come in the return game as he is second to Chicago’s Devin Hester in punt-return yards, so that may hurt him in the eyes of some voters when it comes to the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Ryan Kerrigan, Washington

There isn’t been much to cheer about in Washington lately, but Kerrigan has been a nice surprise for the Redskins, registering 61 tackles and 7.5 sacks so far this season. He also has an interception and has forced four fumbles this season, and the Redskins need him to continue to improve as their offense has been horrible this season; unless something drastic happens in the offseason, it’s likely that the offense will be horrible again in 2012, which means the defense has to step up. Kerrigan can help in that regard, but if he wins this award, it’ll be a huge sports betting upset.