NFL Pro Bowl Teams Announced

By ESPN

The 2016 Pro Bowl teams were announced Tuesday with the Oakland Raiders placing a league-high seven players on the AFC roster.

Quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper, center Rodney Hudson, defensive end Khalil Mack, safety Reggie Nelson, guard Kelechi Osemele and tackle Donald Penn were picked from the Raiders, who are in first place in the AFC West going into Week 16.

The Raiders (11-3) had three players selected from their offensive line, a big reason the team has finally ended its long playoff drought.

"It means a lot. It's a great honor to be recognized for what you do,'' Hudson said. "It's very humbling. I give a lot of thanks to our teammates because you can't do any of it by yourself.''

Six members of the Atlanta Falcons were selected, most among NFC teams. Vic Beasley, Matt Bryant, Devonta Freeman, Julio Jones, Alex Mack and quarterback Matt Ryan were chosen from the NFC South leaders.

Despite missing the first four games of the season because of his Deflategate suspension, New England quarterback Tom Brady was picked for the 12th time in his career. Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was selected for the 10th time.

Twenty-six of the 32 teams had at least one player picked. Twenty-players were selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time, including three rookies: Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott from Dallas and Kansas City's Tyreek Hill.

Among the notable omissions was Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford. The first-place Lions, who lead the NFC North at 9-5, did not have a single representative.

Carolina's Cam Newton, last season's NFL MVP, was not picked, either. Other star quarterbacks left out were New Orleans' Drew Brees, Indianapolis' Andrew Luck and Seattle's Russell Wilson.

After the Raiders and Falcons, the Cowboys, Steelers and Titans were next with five players selected each.

In addition to Prescott and Elliott, offensive linemen Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and Tyron Smith were picked from Dallas.

For the Steelers, running back Le'Veon Bell, wide receiver Antonio Brown, guard David DeCastro, center Maurkice Pouncey and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger were selected. Roethlisberger, Pouncey and Brown were all chosen for the fifth time.

For the surprising Titans, tied with Houston for first place in the AFC South, it's their most players picked for the Pro Bowl since they had six in 2008.

Running back DeMarco Murray leads the group. He has 1,224 yards rushing, second in the NFL behind Elliott. Left tackle Taylor Lewan earned his first Pro Bowl honor in his third season, and linebacker Brian Orakpo earned his fourth Pro Bowl trip overall and first since signing with Tennessee in March 2015. Tight end Delanie Walker and defensive lineman Jurrell Casey both earned their second Pro Bowl trip and were selected to start for the first time.

Another high-profile player selected was wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., one of four New York Giants picked, along with safety Landon Collins, cornerback Janoris Jenkins and special teams player Dwayne Harris.

Beckham is tied for third in the NFL with 85 receptions and 10 touchdown catches, and he is fourth with 1,173 yards receiving. He became the first Giants player to be voted to three consecutive Pro Bowls since guard Chris Snee from 2008-10.

"It is exciting,'' Beckham said. "It is cool to be on a team with multiple Pro Bowlers, so it is a huge accomplishment for myself and my teammates.''

Cleveland tackle Joe Thomas, one of the game's elite left offensive tackles, became just the fifth player in NFL history to be selected 10 straight times to open a career. He also holds the team record for most Pro Bowls, a mark he previously shared with Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Lou Groza.

"It's always an honor to be recognized by the fans, coaches and your peers,'' said Thomas, who has not missed a snap since he was drafted in 2007. "It is a feeling that never gets old. When I think about Jim Brown and Lou Groza, I think about not just two of the greatest Browns, but two of the greatest players to ever suit up in the NFL. It's humbling to be mentioned in the same sentence as them. Those guys helped the Browns capture championships and that is one of my goals."

The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 29, in Orlando, Florida. The game will return to the NFC vs. AFC format after three years. Former stars Jerome Bettis, Tony Gonzalez, Ray Lewis and Charles Woodson will serve as "Legends Captains."

The Pro Bowl players were determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group's vote counted one-third toward determining the selections.

Thursday, December 22 Schedule (Time Central)

New York at Philadelphia, 7:25 p.m.

Saturday, December 24 Schedule (All Times Central)

Miami at Buffalo, noon

New York Jets at New England, noon

Tennessee at Jacksonville, noon

Minnesota at Green Bay, noon

San Diego at Cleveland, noon

Washington at Chicago, noon

Atlanta at Carolina, noon

Indianapolis at Oakland, 3:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans, 3:25 p.m.

Arizona at Seattle, 3:25 p.m.

San Francisco at Los Angeles, 3:25 p.m.

Cincinnati at Houston, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, December 25 Schedule (All Times Central)

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 3:30 p.m.

Denver at Kansas City, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, December 26 Schedule (Time Central)

Detroit at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.