1 of 3 | New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) scrambles on a keeper in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on October 2, 2016. Photo by Matthew Healey/ UPI |
License Photo
Tom Brady didn't play until the New England Patriots' fifth game this season, but that didn't prevent him from being voted to his 12th Pro Bowl when the selections were announced Tuesday.
Brady, who served a four-game Deflategate-related suspension to start the season, earned his eighth consecutive selection to all-star game. He tied Hall of Fame guard John Hannah for the most Pro Bowl nods in Patriots history.
After his delayed start, Brady tops the league in passer rating (109.7) and completion percentage (.669).
Oakland's revival continued when a league-best seven Raiders were named to the Pro Bowl roster. Among the Raiders selected were quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper and defensive end Khalil Mack.
The Atlanta Falcons paced the NFC with six players chosen, including quarterback Matt Ryan, wide receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman.
The Pro Bowl is set for Sunday, Jan. 29, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando and will feature a return to the traditional AFC vs. NFC game format following three years using a revised "unconferenced" format.
At the other end of the experience spectrum from Brady, rookie quarterback Zak Prescott and rookie running back Ezekiel Elliot, who sparked the Dallas Cowboys' surge to the top of the NFC East, were both named to the NFC roster.
Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers joins Prescott and Ryan as the NFC signal-callers.
In the AFC, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, one of five Steelers bound for Orlando, is the other quarterback.
The Cowboys and Tennessee Titans were the other teams with five players chosen.
Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald made his eighth Pro Bowl. Cardinals running back David Johnson, who on Sunday became the first player in NFL history with 100-plus scrimmage yards in each of the first 14 games of a season, earned his first Pro Bowl nod.
Kansas City Chiefs kick returner Tyreek Hill was the only other rookie selected.
The defending NFC champion Panthers had four players selected: tight end Greg Olsen, fullback Mike Tolbert and linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.
Four members of the Seattle Seahawks defense -- defensive ends Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, cornerback Richard Sherman and linebacker Bobby Wagner -- were selected.
AFC Pro Bowl Roster
* Indicates starter
Offense
Wide receiver: Antonio Brown*, Steelers; Amari Cooper*, Raiders; A.J. Green, Bengals; T.Y. Hilton, Colts
Tackle: Joe Thomas*, Browns; Donald Penn*, Raiders; Taylor Lewan, Titans
Guard: Marshal Yanda*, Ravens; Kelechi Osemele*, Raiders; David DeCastro, Steelers
Center: Rodney Hudson*, Raiders; Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers
Tight end: Travis Kelce*, Chiefs; Delanie Walker, Titans
Quarterback: Tom Brady*, Patriots; Derek Carr, Raiders; Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Running back: Le'Veon Bell*, Steelers; DeMarco Murray, Titans; LeSean McCoy, Bills
Fullback: Kyle Juszcyzyk*, Ravens
Defense
Defense end: Khalil Mack*, Raiders; Cameron Wake*, Dolphins; Jadeveon Clowney, Texans
Interior linemen: Geno Atkins*, Bengals; Ndamukong Suh*, Dolphins; Jurrell Casey, Titans
Outside linebacker: Von Miller*, Broncos; Lorenzo Alexander*, Bills; Brian Orakpo, Titans
Inside/middle linebacker: Dont'a Hightower*, Patriots; C.J. Mosley, Ravens
Cornerback: Marcus Peters*, Chiefs; Aqib Talib*, Broncos; Casey Hayward, Chargers; Chris Harris, Broncos
Free safety: Devin McCourty*, Patriots; Reggie Nelson, Raiders
Strong safety: Eric Berry*, Chiefs
Special Teams
Punter: Pat McAfee*, Colts
Kicker: Justin Tucker*, Ravens
Return specialist: Tyreek Hill*, Chiefs
Special teamer: Matthew Slater*, Patriots
NFC Pro Bowl Roster
* Indicates starter
Offense
Wide receiver: Julio Jones*, Falcons; Odell Beckham*, Giants; Mike Evans, Buccaneers; Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
Tackle: Tyron Smith*, Cowboys; Trent Williams*, Redskins; Jason Peters, Eagles
Guard: Zack Martin*, Cowboys; Brandon Scherff*, Redskins; T.J. Lang, Packers
Center: Travis Frederick*, Cowboys; Alex Mack, Falcons
Tight end: Greg Olsen*, Panthers; Jordan Reed, Redskins
Quarterback: Matt Ryan*, Falcons; Aaron Rodgers, Packers; Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Running back: Ezekiel Elliott*, Cowboys; David Johnson, Cardinals; Devonta Freeman, Falcons
Fullback: Mike Tolbert*, Panthers
Defense
Defensive end: Everson Griffen*, Vikings; Cliff Avril*, Seahawks; Michael Bennett, Seahawks
Interior linemen: Aaron Donald*, Rams; Gerald McCoy*, Buccaneers; Fletcher Cox, Eagles
Outside linebacker: Vic Beasley*, Falcons; Ryan Kerrigan*, Redskins; Thomas Davis, Panthers
Inside/middle linebacker: Bobby Wagner*, Seahawks; Luke Kuechly, Panthers
Cornerback: Janoris Jenkins*, Giants; Patrick Peterson*, Cardinals; Richard Sherman, Seahawks; Xavier Rhodes, Vikings
Free safety: Harrison Smith*, Vikings; Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Packers
Strong safety: Landon Collins*, Giants
Special teams
Punter: Johnny Hekker*, Rams
Kicker: Matt Bryant*, Falcons
Return specialist: Cordarrelle Patterson*, Vikings
Special teamer: Dwayne Harris*, Giants