The Pro Bowl Rosters Are Out!

Just when I was wondering on which day the Pro Bowl Rosters would be announced, the Pro Bowl Rosters were announced. 

(Starters in bold)

NFC

Offense

Quarterbacks

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles 

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles

Fullback

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers 

Wide Receivers

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles 

CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams 

Tight Ends

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers 

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

Offensive Tackles

Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers 

Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles 

Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions 

Guards

Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons 

Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys 

Landon Dickerson

Centers

Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles 

Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions 

Defense

Defensive Ends

Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers 

Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears

Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

Interior Linemen

Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams

Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Javon Hargrave, San Francisco 49ers 

Outside Linebackers

Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys 

Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles 

Inside Linebackers

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers

Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks 

Cornerbacks

DaRon Bland, Dallas Cowboys

Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears

Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

Free Safety

Jesse Bates, Atlanta Falcons

Strong Safeties

Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks 

Specialists

Punter

Bryan Anger, Dallas Cowboys

Placekicker

Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys 

Long Snapper

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings

Return Specialist

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints

Special Teamer

Jalen Reeves- Maybin, Detroit Lions

AFC

Offense

Quarterbacks

Tua Tagavaiola, Miami Dolphins

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Running Backs

Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins

James Cook, Buffalo Bills

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Fullback

Alec Ingold, Miami Dolphins

Wide Receivers

Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Tight Ends

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs 

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

Offensive Tackles

Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans

Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills

Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins

Guards

Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns 

Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts 

Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Centers

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Tyler Linderbaum, Baltimore Ravens 

Defense

Defensive Ends

Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Brown

Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals 

Interior Linemen

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Quinnen Williams, New York Jets

Justin Madubuike, Baltimore Ravens 

Outside Linebackers

Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

T.J. Watt,  Pittsburgh Steelers

Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars

Inside Linebackers

Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens

Patrick Queen, Baltimore Ravens 

Cornerbacks

Sauce Gardner, New York Jets

Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos

Jalen Ramsey, Miami Dolphins

Denzel Ward, Cleveland Brown

Free Safety

Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers 

Strong Safeties

Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Specialists

Punter

AJ Cole, Las Vegas Raiders

Placekicker

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens 

Long Snapper

Ross Matisick, Jacksonville Jaguars 

Return Specialist

Marvin Mims, Denver Broncos

Special Teamer

Miles Killebrew, Pittsburgh Steelers 

***

The San Francisco 49ers paced the league with nine players. Eight of those players were selected as starters. I guess all those voters ignored what Jordan Addison did to Charvarius Ward. The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys had seven players. 

Four teams had no Pro Bowl players. 

Green Bay Packers

Carolina Panthers

Washington Commanders

New England Patriots

It’s been a while since the Packers and Patriots were shut out of the Pro Bowl. 

The Minnesota Vikings have two players on the NFC roster.

Danielle Hunter, OLB

Andrew DePaola, Long Snapper

Several more Vikings  earned spots as alternates.

First alternates:

C.J. Ham, FB

T.J. Hockenson, TE

Second alternate:

Josh Metellus, S

Third alternate:

Garrett Bradbury, C

Fourth alternate:

Christian Darrisaw, OT

Harrison Smith, S

If one excludes Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers (and the Pro Bowl voting does), there isn’t an offensive tackle in the league that was more impressive this year than Christian Darrisaw. Trent Williams and Lane Johnson would make the Pro Bowl even if they sat out the season. They make it annually on reputation alone. 

Considering the number of players that sit out the Pro Bowl festivities, many of the Vikings alternates will eventually be added to the Pro Bowl roster. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 17 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings sadly lost to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. 33-10. It was a win-and-maybe-in game and the Vikings did not show up for it. It might be a bit harsh but the only player deserving of any sort of game superlatives is the gunner. 

Player of the Game

Najee Thompson, Gunner

Najee Thompson was signed as an undrafted free agent in April to make plays like he did against the Packers. He made the team as an undrafted free agent so that he could make plays like he did against the Packers. He’s listed on the team’s website as a cornerback. He’s really a special teams difference-maker. 

Thompson hit a late-fair-catch-signaling Jayden Reed at the Packers 12-yard line. He was flagged for a personal foul for the hit but it was waved off because Reed waved for it so damn late. 

Thompson set up the Vikings lone touchdown with a similar sort of play. He hit Samori Ture as he was fielding a punt, forced the ball loose, and recovered it at the Packers seven-yard line. 

It’s a sad thing that the Vikings most impactful player in this game was their gunner. 

On the bright side, I feel that this game is the first of many games in which Najee Thompson makes an impact. He’s only getting started. 

Vikings - Packers

Well, that sucked. 

The Green Bay Packers handed the Minnesota Vikings their first multi-score loss of the season. 

33-10.

The Jaren Hall experiment was a complete failure. The game felt decided on the Vikings second possession. Hall threw wide of a wide open Johnny Mundt. The tipped pass easily landed in the welcoming hands of Packers corner Corey Ballantine. Just like that, the Packers were gifted a wonderful opportunity at the Vikings 33-yard line. Second play, Jordan Love hit a wide open Jayden Reed for a 33-yard touchdown. 

Hall looked shaky before the interception. He looked even more shaky after the interception. He looked like a fifth-round rookie playing his first NFL game. He had a two play sequence on the Vikings fourth possession on which he connected with Justin Jefferson for 13 yards and Jordan Addison for 20 yards. That was his highlight sequence. The drive ended soon after and the Vikings had to settle for a 54-yard Greg Joseph field goal. 

Nick Mullens replaced Hall in the second half. The Vikings offense was a little more lively but it didn’t take much to be a little more lively. He led two drives that ended on downs inside the Packers 10-yard line. 

The Vikings only touchdown came as a result of a terrific special teams play by Najee Thompson. He forced a muffed punt and recovered the ball on the Packers 7-yard line. Two plays later, Mullens connected with Mundt for a touchdown. 

It isn’t a good game when the most impactful player is the gunner. 

Offense and defense, the Vikings didn’t look ready for a big game. The Packers were ready. The Vikings weren’t. The Packers were racing. The Vikings were chasing. There was a decent distance between them. 

When the game’s result was certain, the following graphic was shown during the telecast:

Minnesota Vikings path to the postseason:

Win at Lions

Green Bay loss to Chicago

Seattle loss to Arizona

and 

Loss from either Tampa Bay or New Orleans

So, there’s still a chance. 

With their play last night in mind, I can’t imagine the Vikings defeating the Lions. 

With the loss, the Vikings drop to 7-9. They finish this frustrating season next Sunday against the Detroit Lions. 

Flea Flicker Week 17 Predictions

Here are some guesses at the Week 17 games. 

Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings sweep the Packers in 2023.

New England Patriots @ Buffalo Bills

Pick: Bills

The Bills roll on.

Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears

Pick: Bears

Just going with the home team.

Las Vegas Raiders @ Indianapolis Colts

Pick: Colts

The Colts continue their surprising season.

Los Angeles Rams @ New York Giants

Pick: Giants

The Giants surprise.

Arizona Cardinals @ Philadelphia Eagles 

Pick: Eagles

The Eagles should win out with their soft final games.

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

The Buccaneers should wrap up the league’s weakest division. 

San Francisco 49ers @ Washington Commanders

Pick: 49ers

The 49ers should rebound nicely from last week’s rough loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Carolina Panthers @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Panthers

The Panthers stun the Jaguars.

Miami Dolphins @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

The Dolphins return to their losing ways against good teams. 

Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

Pick: Texans

The Texans take the division lead from the Jaguars.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: Steelers

The Steelers stun the Seahawks.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos

Pick: Chargers

Sean Payton gets his look at Jarrett Stidham. This game might have a handful of interested fans. 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

This game was huge when the schedule was released. 

The Athletic‘s Top 100 Players in NFL History, By Position

Lifted from The Athletic’s terrific book, Football 100, here’s a look at their Top 100 Players broken down by the position they played. 

The Athletic’s Top 100 Players in NFL History, By Position

Quarterback (19)

  1. Tom Brady

  6. Joe Montana

  7. Peyton Manning

  9. Johnny Unitas

11. Otto Graham

15. John Elway

18. Dan Marino

21. Aaron Rodgers

24. Brett Favre

25. Sammy Baugh

43. Drew Brees

49. Sid Luckman

50. Steve Young

62. Bart Starr

70. Terry Bradshaw

79. Roger Staubach

89. Bobby Layne

98. Patrick Mahomes

100. Fran Tarkenton

Running Back (16)

  2. Jim Brown

  8. Walter Payton

23. Barry Sanders

29. Emmitt Smith

33. Bronko Nagurski

40. Eric Dickerson

41. Marshall Faulk

46. Gale Sayers

52. O.J. Simpson

54. Adrian Peterson

67. Earl Campbell

71. LaDanian Tomlinson

73. Marion Motley

92. Lenny Moore

94. Steve Van Buren

99. Marcus Allen

Receiver (8)

  3. Jerry Rice

13. Don Hutson

38. Randy Moss

56. Julio Jones

64. Steve Largent

75. Lance Alworth

93. Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch

96. Paul Warfield

Tight End (5)

47. Rob Gronkowski

57. John Mackey

81. Tony Gonzalez

82. Kellen Winslow

97. Mike Ditka

Offensive Tackle (6)

12. Anthony Munoz

36. Forrest Gregg

42. Jim Parker

61. Jonathan Ogden

65. Walter Jones

76. Art Shell

Guard (4)

27. John Hannah

44. Bruce Matthews

45. Larry Allen

68. Gene Upshaw

Center (4)

58. Mike Webster

84. Mel Hein

85. Clyde “Bulldog” Turner

95. Jim Otto

Defensive End (6)

  5. Reggie White

16. Deacon Jones

20. Bruce Smith

34. Gino Marchetti

35. J.J. Watt

91. Willie Davis

Defensive Tackle (8)

14. Joe Greene

26. Aaron Donald

30. Merlin Olsen

31. Bob Lilly

32. Alan Page

48. Randy White

83. Leo Nomellini

86. Buck Buchanan

Linebacker (12)

  4. Lawrence Taylor

10. Dick Butkus

17. Ray Lewis

37. Jack Lambert

53. Bobby Bell

55. Jack Ham

60. Joe Schmidt

63. Junior Seau

66. Ray Nitschke

74. Chuck Bednarik

77. Ted Hendricks

80. Willie Lanier

Cornerback (10)

22. Deion Sanders

28. Rod Woodson

51. Dick “Night Train” Lane

59. Herb Adderley

69. Charles Woodson

72. Mel Blount

78. Mike Haynes

87. Champ Bailey

88. Darrell Green 

90. Willie Brown

Safety (2)

19. Ronnie Lott

39. Ed Reed

The Athletic’s Top 100 Players in NFL History, By Team

The Athletic recently put together a list of the Top 100 Player in NFL history. A terrific book, The Football 100, soon followed. This book is terrific because it includes a significant write-up for each of the 100 players. Here’s a look at The Athletic’s Top 100 Players broken down by the teams for which they played the bulk of their career.

The Athletic’s Top 100 Players in NFL History, By Team

Minnesota Vikings 

32.   Alan Page

38.   Randy Moss

54.   Adrian Peterson

100. Fran Tarkenton

If there’s a criticism of The Athletic’s terrific work, it’s the omission of Cris Carter and Randall McDaniel. Perhaps John Randle as well. 

San Francisco 49ers

  3. Jerry Rice

  6. Joe Montana

19. Ronnie Lott

50. Steve Young

83. Leo Nomellini

Chicago Bears

  8. Walter Payton

10. Dick Butkus

33. Bronko Nagurski

46. Gale Sayers

49. Sid Luckman

85. Clyde “Bulldog” Turner

97. Mike Ditka

Cincinnati Bengals

12. Anthony Munoz

Buffalo Bills

20. Bruce Smith

52. O.J. Simpson

Denver Broncos

15. John Elway

87. Champ Bailey

Cleveland Browns

  2. Jim Brown

11. Otto Graham

73. Marion Motley

96. Paul Warfield

Los Angeles Chargers

63. Junior Seau

71. LaDanian Tomlinson

75. Lance Alworth

82. Kellen Winslow

Kansas City Chiefs

53. Bobby Bell

80. Willie Lanier

82. Tony Gonzalez

86. Buck Buchanan

98. Patrick Mahomes

Indianapolis Colts

  7. Peyton Manning

  9. Johnny Unitas

34. Gino Marchetti

42. Jim Parker

57. John Mackey

92. Lenny Moore

Washington Commanders

25. Sammy Baugh

88. Darrell Green

Dallas Cowboys

29. Emmitt Smith

31. Bob Lilly

45. Larry Allen

48. Randy White

79. Roger Staubach

Miami Dolphins

18. Dan Marino

Philadelphia Eagles

  5. Reggie White

74. Chuck Bednarik

94. Steve Van Buren

Atlanta Falcons

22. Deion Sanders

56. Julio Jones

New York Giants

  4. Lawrence Taylor

84. Mel Hein

Detroit Lions

23. Barry Sanders

51. Dick “Night Train” Lane

60. Joe Schmidt

89. Bobby Layne

Tennessee Titans

44. Bruce Matthews

67. Earl Campbell

Green Bay Packers

13. Don Hutson

21. Aaron Rodgers

24. Brett Favre

36. Forrest Gregg

59. Herb Adderley

62. Bart Starr

66. Ray Nitschke

91. Willie Davis

New England Patriots

  1. Tom Brady

27. John Hannah

47. Rob Gronkowski

Las Vegas Raiders

68. Gene Upshaw

69. Charles Woodson

76. Art Shell

77. Ted Hendricks

78. Mike Haynes

90. Willie Brown

95. Jim Otto

99. Marcus Allen

Los Angeles Rams

16. Deacon Jones

26. Aaron Donald

30. Merlin Olsen

40. Eric Dickerson

41. Marshall Faulk

93. Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch

Baltimore Ravens

17. Ray Lewis

39. Ed Reed

61. Jonathan Ogden

New Orleans Saints

43. Drew Brees

Seattle Seahawks

64. Steve Largent

65. Walter Jones

Pittsburgh Steelers

14. Joe Greene

28. Rod Woodson

37. Jack Lambert

55. Jack Ham

58. Mike Webster

70. Terry Bradshaw

72. Mel Blount

Houston Texans

35. J.J. Watt

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Finalists

The 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 were revealed yesterday. In any given year, the finalists are always highlighted by those in their first year of eligibility. This year, those players are Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers. 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Finalists

• Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
• Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
• Willie Anderson, Offensive Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
• Dwight Freeney, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker — 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions
• Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
• Rodney Harrison, Safety — 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots
• Devin Hester, Punt Returner/Kick Returner/Wide Receiver — 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens
• Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver — 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
• Julius Peppers, Defensive End — 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-16 Green Bay Packers
• Fred Taylor, Running back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Patrick Willis, Linebacker — 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
• Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

Like Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers, the quartet of Eric Allen, Jahri Evans, Rodney Harrison, and Fred Taylor are finalists for the first time. Unlike Gates and Peppers, they are finalists after a combined 40 years of eligibility. 

The 15 finalists will join Coach/Contributor nominee Buddy Parker and Senior nominees Art Powell, Randy Gradishar, and Steve McMichael for final discussions by the 50-person Selection Committee in advance of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The Pro Football Hall Fame Class of 2024 will be announced live on the “NFL Honors” telecast on February 8. 

Times as a Finalist

Eric Allen: 1, 2024

Jared Allen: 4, 2021-24

Willie Anderson: 3: 2022-24

Jahri Evans: 1, 2024

Dwight Freeney: 2, 2023-24

Antonio Gates: 1, 2024

Rodney Harrison: 1, 2024

Devin Hester: 3, 2022-24

Tory Holt: 5, 2020-24

Andre Johnson: 3, 2022-24

Julius Peppers: 1, 2024

Fred Taylor: 1, 2024

Reggie Wayne: 5, 2020-24

Patrick Willis: 3, 2022-24

Darren Woodson: 2, 2023-24

Years of Eligibility

1st: Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers

2nd: Jahri Evans, Dwight Freeney

3rd: Devin Hester, Andre Johnson

4th: Jared Allen

5th: Reggie Wayne, Patrick Willis

9th: Fred Taylor

10th: Torry Holt

11th: Rodney Harrison, Willie Anderson

16th: Darren Woodson

18th: Eric Allen

What I think the Selection Committee should do with any group of Hall of Fame finalists and what they will do is always different. The voters repeatedly show an urgency to jam through players in their first year of eligibility. I feel that making it in the first year should be reserved for the players for which there are no doubts. If there’s even the slightest hint of a debate, the player waits. In my opinion, only Julius Peppers should make it in his first year. I’m pretty sure that the voters will push both Peppers and Antonio Gates through. After that, Jared Allen makes it in his fourth year of eligibility. If had been able to wrestle that Defensive Player of the Year award from Terrell Suggs in 2011, Allen would’ve made it earlier. His frustrating four year wait should end. Patrick Willis finally makes it to Canton. I still don’t understand how he wasn’t through in his first or second year. He wasn’t even a finalist until his third year. Willis was more deserving of first year consideration in 2020 than Gates is this year. Willis was the best in the league at his position for nearly all of his eight-year career. I never once thought that Gates was the best at his position. Tony Gonzalez pretty much had that title. Jason Witten was in there as well. Willis was the best off-the-ball linebacker I’d seen since Jack Ham. His Hall of Fame journey has been a complete mystery to me. Anyway, a receiver should round out the modern-era class. Unfortunately, the two receivers that I feel are most deserving didn’t make it to the finalist stage. That would be Steve Smith Sr. and Hines Ward. Of the actual receiver finalists, I feel that the voters will go with Andre Johnson. 

So, that gives us a Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024 that looks something like this:

Julius Peppers

Antonio Gates

Jared Allen

Patrick Willis

Andre Johnson

Randy Gradishar

Steve McMichael

Art Powell

Buddy Parker

That’s a fine Class. With Allen it, I’ve gotta start making plans to be in Canton in August.