Odd Men Out: Cincinnati Bengals Players Don't Make Pro Bowl

Out of the 32 teams in the league, you'd think they'd give at least one team one player in the Pro Bowl right?  Wrong.

The Bengals, today, became one of the teams not to feature a player in this years Pro Bowl, which will be held at the end of the postseason. 

Remember that kid that used to always get left out during a school yard football game during recess?  Yeah, that's how Carson Palmer must feel.  The sad thing is this time, has Cincinnati really done anything wrong not to earn at least one player in the big game?

A shoe in for the playoffs at this point with a 10-5 record and a game in hand against the Jets, Cincinnati's play has been arguably good and balanced all season.  After falling down to a crushing injury last season, to bouncing back and leading his team to an above .500 record this year, is a remarkable feat that only a true great quarterback could achieve.

21 Touchdowns on the year and 3094 passing yards so far, surely that's enough.

But no Pro Bowl vote?

Maybe Carson Palmer doesn't float the voters boat. 

Well how about Chad Ochocinco?  By the time he gets there, his name will have changed twice, but his stats don't lie either.  72 receptions, 1047 yards, and nine touchdowns are solid figures.  Even Chad himself thought he would be visiting Miami come January, he obviously jinxed himself.

For a team that has won the AFC North, to not receive at least one player is a joke on the system and on the voters behalf.  Most of us can understand why players from below .500 teams such as Detroit and Tampa Bay did not make it, but for former Pro Bowl players like Carson Palmer to be overshadowed and basically overlooked, gives Bengals fans a sour treat to suck on as the end of the season draws near.

Not to worry though.  Often, the Pro Bowl is overrated and Bengals fans and players will more than likely agree that the playoffs is more important.  As long as they remain focused and don't get distracted on this issue, they still have a good shot at the AFC Championship.