The Pro Bowl is technically football much in the same way a magazine subscription card can technically be toilet paper. It’ll work when there are no other options.
AFC Pro Bowl roster 2018: Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell will lead an explosive offense
Maybe it’ll be fun!
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Sunday’s bit of gridiron methadone should hold NFL fans over until next week’s Super Bowl, and it will provide one final chance to watch stars like LeSean McCoy, Kareem Hunt, and Von Miller before a long and lonesome offseason settles in. All eyes will be on an explosive AFC offense in what’s traditionally been a high-scoring affair — and a high-flying Steelers trio can make that happen.
Pittsburgh’s Killer B’s — Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell -- have all been named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster for the third time in the past four seasons.. However, only Brown has actually played in the game over that span, unable to resist the siren’s call of downtown Orlando and its close proximity to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This time, they’re all expected to play (Mike Tomlin is coaching the AFC, fwiw).
Those aren’t the only stars who are making the trip to exotic central Florida. Miller, never one to miss an opportunity for a public appearance, will make his fourth straight Pro Bowl start. He’ll be joined up front by a quarterback-harassing cabal that includes Melvin Ingram, Terrell Suggs, and Malik Jackson. Behind them, standout defensive backs like Casey Hayward and Jalen Ramsey will work to keep their airspace a no-fly zone.
If the Steelers standouts decide to call it an early day, the AFC can turn to the engine that drove 2017’s AFC West champions. Chiefs Pro Bowlers Kareem Hunt, Alex Smith, and Tyreek Hill will all provide some extra offensive punch to this year’s American squad. Fortunately for them, a wild card loss to the Titans has given them plenty of time to rest up for Sunday’s exhibition.
The Pro Bowl takes place Jan. 28 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. LaDainian Tomlinson and Jason Taylor have been named captains for the AFC team. Players who have been crossed out won’t play in the game either due to a spot in next week’s Super Bowl, injury, or apathy.
AFC roster
Offense
- Quarterbacks:
Tom Brady (Patriots), Philip Rivers (Chargers), Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers), Alex Smith (Chiefs), Derek Carr (Raiders) - Running backs: Le’Veon Bell (Steelers), Kareem Hunt (Chiefs), LeSean McCoy (Bills)
- Fullback:
James Develin (Patriots),Roosevelt Nix (Steelers) - Wide receivers: Antonio Brown (Steelers),
DeAndre Hopkins (Texans),A.J. Green(Bengals), Keenan Allen (Chargers), T.Y. Hilton (Colts), Jarvis Landry (Dolphins) - Tight ends:
Travis Kelce (Chiefs), Rob Gronkowski (Patriots), Delanie Walker (Titans), Jack Doyle (Colts) - Offensive tackles: Alejandro Villanueva (Steelers), Taylor Lewan (Titans),
Donald Penn (Raiders),Russell Okung (Chargers) - Offensive guards: Kelechi Osemele (Raiders), David DeCastro (Steelers), Richie Incognito (Bills)
- Centers: Maurkice Pouncey (Steelers), Rodney Hudson (Raiders)
Defense
- Defensive ends:
Joey Bosa (Chargers), Calais Campbell (Jaguars),Khalil Mack (Raiders),Melvin Ingram (Chargers), Cameron Heyward (Steelers), Yannick Ngakoue (Jaguars) - Interior linemen: Geno Atkins (Bengals), Jurrell Casey (Titans), Malik Jackson (Jaguars)
- Outside linebackers: Von Miller (Broncos),
Jadeveon Clowney (Texans), Terrell Suggs (Ravens), Telvin Smith (Jaguars) - Inside linebackers: C.J. Mosley (Ravens),
Ryan Shazier (Steelers), Joe Schobert (Browns) - Cornerbacks: A.J. Bouye (Jaguars), Jalen Ramsey (Jaguars), Aqib Talib (Broncos), Casey Hayward (Chargers)
- Safeties: Eric Weddle (Ravens), Reshad Jones (Dolphins),
Micah Hyde(Bills), Kevin Byard (Titans)
Special teams
- Kicker: Chris Boswell (Steelers)
- Punter: Brett Kern (Titans)
- Returner: Tyreek Hill (Chiefs)
- Special teamer:
Matthew Slater (Patriots), Brynden Trawick (Titans)
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