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The NFL announced the 2014 Pro Bowl selections Friday night and for the second consecutive season, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning led the NFL in total votes.
Manning is enjoying the best statistical season of his career. He leads the league with 5,201 yards and 51 touchdowns. He was one of three AFC quarterbacks selected, along with Tom Brady and Philip Rivers.
Manning is one of 43 AFC players selected to the first ever non-conference Pro Bowl. Rather than selecting an AFC and a NFC team, fans, players and coaches voted on the top performers at each position, regardless of conference. In January, Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders will hold a fantasy-style draft to determine the two teams that will face off in the Jan. 26 all-star game.
Running back Jamaal Charles was second among AFC vote-getters. The Kansas City Chief leads the league in rushing touchdowns with 12 and has racked up another seven through the air. Charles was one of eight Chiefs selected.
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Brady picked up his ninth Pro Bowl selection. Despite a makeshift receiving corps, Brady put up top-10 yardage, touchdown and completion numbers, though his 88.0 passer rating ranks 17th in the league.
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt earned the most votes of any defender in the AFC, though some of that may be the residual effect of his eye-popping 2012 campaign. While he's dropped from 20.5 sacks and 16 passes defended to 9.5 sacks and six bat-downs this season, he's still been one of the conference's more productive defenders while playing on the league's worst team.
The changes to this year's Pro Bowl selection process are part of a larger makeover designed to reinvigorate the struggling game. The league has even revamped the rules in an effort to make it safer for players and more exciting for fans. Kickoffs have been removed, two-minute warnings instituted every quarter and the play clock shortened.
Teams will be finalized during the inaugural Pro Bowl Draft, which will air live at 8 p.m. ET Jan. 22 on the NFL Network. The game itself will be played in Hawaii on Jan. 26.
AFC Pro Bowl selections:
Offense |
|
|
Position |
Player |
|---|---|
| Quarterback |
Peyton Manning, Denver Tom Brady, New England Philip Rivers, San Diego |
| Running back | Jamaal Charles, Kansas City |
| Fullback | Marcel Reece, Oakland |
| Wide receiver |
Andre Johnson, Houston A.J. Green, Cincinnati Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Josh Gordon, Cleveland Demaryius Thomas, Denver |
| Tight end |
Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Julius Thomas, Denver |
| Tackle |
Joe Thomas, Cleveland Branden Albert, Kansas City |
| Center |
Alex Mack, Cleveland Mike Pouncey, Miami |
| Guard |
Logan Mankins, New England Louis Vasquez, Denver Marshal Yanda, Baltimore |
Defense |
|
|
Position |
Player |
| Defensive end |
J.J. Watt, Houston Cameron Wake, Miami Mario Williams, Buffalo |
| Defensive tackle |
Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Dontari Poe, Kansas City Kyle Williams, Buffalo |
| Outside linebacker |
Tamba Hali, Kansas City Justin Houston, Kansas City Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Terrell Suggs, Baltimore |
| Inside linebacker | Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati |
| Cornerback |
Alterraun Verner, Tennessee Brandon Flowers, Kansas City Brent Grimes, Miami Joe Haden, Cleveland Aqib Talib, New England |
| Free safety |
Jairus Byrd, Buffalo Eric Weddle San Diego |
| Strong safety |
Eric Berry, Kansas City Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh |
Special teams |
|
|
Position |
Player |
| Punter | Brandon Fields, Miami |
| Kicker |
Justin Tucker, Baltimore Matt Prater, Denver |
| Return man | Dexter McCluster, Kansas City |
| Special teamer | Matthew Slater, New England |
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