The NFL Pro Bowl, traditionally played in Hawaii the week after the Super Bowl has been rescheduled this season for this upcoming Sunday night, January 31st. The game kicks off at 7:30 P.M at the site of this year’s Super Bowl; Dolphins Stadium in Miami.
I am not really sure why the NFL decided to make this move. It may have something to do with the fact that the Super Bowl is a week later this year, or maybe that they are trying to add an event to bridge the two week gap between the conference championships and the title game. In any case it provides us a chance to watch most of the league’s best players square off against one another.
The current line for this game has the NFC as a two point favorite with a total line of 57, just one point higher than the current total line for the Super Bowl. It is hard to really handicap this game as the final rosters for both teams has constantly changed. The players from Indianapolis and New Orleans who were voted to the Pro Bowl like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are out because of some pressing matters the following week. Other big name players like Tom Brady and Brett Favre have opted out of playing, citing a previous injury as the primary reason. My gut feeling for why several players decided to skip the festivities is that Miami is not as nearly as attractive as Honolulu when it comes to a family vacation. This being said, let’s focus on the players that will be suiting up on Sunday night as opposed to reviewing all the ones who will not.
For the NFC, at quarterback you have Aaron Rodgers, along with Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb who have been added as replacements for Brees and Favre. The running backs will be Adrian Peterson and DeAngelo Williams along with Frank Gore who is taking Steven Jackson’s spot. Leonard Weaver will be in as the fullback. The wide receivers are DeSean Jackson, Miles Austin, and Sidney Rice. Steve Smith will be filling in for Larry Fitzgerald. The tight ends are Vernon Davis and Jason Witten. The offensive line features Steve Hutchinson and Leonard Davis at guard, Shaun O’Hara at center, and Jason Peters and Bryant McKinnie at tackle.
Defensively, at safety are Nick Collins and Adrian Wilson along with Antrel Rolle and Quinten Mikell. The cornerbacks include Asante Samuel, Terence Newman, and Mike Jenkins. The linebackers are DeMarcus Ware, Brian Orakpo, Clay Matthews, Patrick Willis, and London Fletcher. The defensive line includes Jared Allen, Julius Peppers, Trent Cole, Kevin Williams, Darnell Dockett, and Jay Ratliff.
Special teams include P Andy Lee, K David Akers, and KR Johnny Knox.
For the AFC, at quarterback you have three replacements; Matt Schaub, Vince Young, and David Garrard, who were added for Manning, Philip Rivers, and Tom Brady. The running backs are Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Ray Rice. Le’Ron McClain is the fullback. The wide receivers will be Andre Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Chad Ochocinco, and Vincent Jackson. Ochocinco and Jackson are replacing Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker. The tight ends are Antonio Gates and Heath Miller, who is in for Dallas Clark. The offensive line includes Logan Mankins and Alan Faneca at guard, Nick Mangold at center, and Ryan Clady and Joe Thomas at tackle.
Defensively, at safety are Yeremiah Bell, Ed Reed, and Brandon Meriweather. The cornerbacks are Darrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugha, and Champ Baily. The linebackers are Ray Lewis, DeMeco Ryans, Elvis Dumervil, James Harrison, and LaMarr Woodley. The defensive line includes Mario Williams, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Shaun Ellis, Haloti Ngata, Vince Wilfork, and Casey Hampton.
Special teams include P Shane Lechler, K Nate Kaeding, and KR Josh Cribbs.
Looking at the players that are in the lineup and which ones are not, I believe I would have to give the slight edge to the NFC. Without Manning, Wayne, and Clarke the AFC’s offense is missing a ton of star power, while the NFC only had to replace Brees. Given the fact that neither side really plays any defense because of rules added to protect players from injury, you would have to think the scoreboard should be lighting up all night long. I’m going with the NFC -2 and the OVER (57).
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