Adrian Peterson, Peyton Manning headline 2012 AP All-Pro team

Peterson and Manning will most likely be first and second in the MVP balloting as well, and they highlight a 2012 AP All Pro First Team that consists almost entirely of players on playoff-bound teams.

by Neal Coolong

Jan 12, 2013, 3:32 PM UTC

USA TODAY Sports

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The battle for NFL MVP wasn’t diminished at all, as Denver’s Peyton Manning and Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson highlight the 2012 AP All-Pro first team.

Peterson led the surprising Vikings to a 10-6 record and their first playoff appearance since 2009 behind his 2,097 rushing yards, just eight behind Eric Dickerson’s league record 2,105.

Manning, in his first season with the Broncos, led Denver to a 13-3 record while throwing for 4,659 yards, 37 touchdowns and a rating of 105.8.

More: Divisional round playoff schedule

First Team

Offense

Quarterback - Peyton Manning, Denver.
Running Backs - Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; Marshawn Lynch, Seattle.
Fullback - Vonta Leach, Baltimore.
Tight End - Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta.
Wide Receivers - Calvin Johnson, Detroit; Brandon Marshall, Chicago.
Tackles - Duane Brown, Houston; Ryan Clady, Denver.
Guards - Mike Iupati, San Francisco; Jahri Evans, New Orleans.
Center - Max Unger, Seattle.
Placekicker - Blair Walsh, Minnesota.
Kick Returner - Jacoby Jones, Baltimore.
DEFENSE
Ends - J.J. Watt, Houston; Cameron Wake, Miami.
Tackles - Geno Atkins, Cincinnati; Vince Wilfork, New England.
Outside Linebackers - Von Miller, Denver; Aldon Smith, San Francisco.
Inside Linebackers - Patrick Willis, San Francisco; NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco.
Cornerbacks - Richard Sherman, Seattle; Charles Tillman, Chicago.
Safeties - Earl Thomas, Seattle; Dashon Goldson, San Francisco.
Punter - Andy Lee, San Francisco

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE
Quarterback - Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay.
Running Backs - Alfred Morris, Washington; Jamaal Charles, Kansas City.
Fullback - Jerome Felton, Minnesota.
Tight End - Jason Witten, Dallas.
Wide Receivers - A.J. Green, Cincinnati; Andre Johnson, Houston.
Tackles - Joe Thomas, Cleveland; Joe Staley, San Francisco.
Guards - Marshal Yanda, Baltimore; Logan Mankins, New England.
Center - Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh.
Placekicker - Phil Dawson, Cleveland.
Kick Returner - David Wilson, New York Giants

DEFENSE

Ends - Justin Smith, San Francisco; Julius Peppers, Chicago.
Tackles - Justin Smith, San Francisco; Ndamukong Suh, Detroit, and Haloti Ngata, Baltimore.
Outside Linebackers - Chad Greenway, Minnesota; Ahmad Brooks, San Francisco, Clay Matthews, Green Bay, and DeMarcus Ware, Dallas.
Inside Linebackers - Daryl Washington, Arizona; London Fletcher, Washington.
Cornerbacks - Champ Bailey, Denver; Tim Jennings, Chicago.
Safeties - Eric Weddle, San Diego; Jairus Byrd, Buffalo.
Punter - Thomas Morstead, New Orleans.