NFC Pro Bowl Roster 2012: Victor Cruz and Biggest Snubs

NFL.com didn't list Victor Cruz on the fan ballot. 

This was a big mistake. 

The Giants wide receiver is tied for seventh in the conference in receptions, is second in yards, fourth in yards per catch average, tied for seventh in touchdowns and fourth in plays 20 yards or more.

It is impossible to argue against Calvin Johnson, but you can make a case that Cruz deserves to be there just as much as Larry Fitzgerald or Steve Smith. And you can certainly make a case that he deserves to be Hawaii-bound more than Greg Jennings.

Cruz did receive recognition as a Pro Bowl alternate and should anyone pull out or make the Super Bowl (barring the Giants making the Super Bowl, of course), the receiver will get the opportunity to go.

That should have already happened, though.

Here are a few other NFC Pro Bowl snubs.

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys

The battle between Romo and Eli will be settled on Sunday, but statistically, it is the Cowboys quarterback who has been better.

That said, Eli has thrown for a ton more yards and is being recognized as a Pro Bowler because of his accomplishments with so little to use.

The Giants run game is the league's worst and Eli's defense continually forces him to play from behind. And, when the game is on the line, he's been the best in the league this year.

Romo can make his case based on numbers alone, but playing quarterback isn't all about numbers.

Matt Stafford, QB, Lions

Almost everything goes the same for Stafford vs. Eli.

The young signal-caller has finally stayed healthy and has thrown 10 more touchdowns and two less interceptions than Eli.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks

The NFC representatives at running back are hard to dispute, but the Seahawks' lead back has been a beast throughout the year.

The biggest gripe would come against the injured Matt Forte, who was arguably the best all-around back in the league before going down with an injury.

After a slow start to the season, Lynch has scored a touchdown in 11 straight games, including the first of the year against the 49ers defense. He ran for 100 yards in a game six times, and considering the passing attack he had helping him, that is a major accomplishment.

He'll likely be added to the roster due to injuries to Forte and Adrian Peterson.

Cam Newton, QB, Panthers and Aldon Smith, DE, 49ers

Newton's rookie campaign has been filled with first-year records and remarkable statistics. He team hasn't won much, though, and at the quarterback position, that counts for something.

Eli won the third spot because he's done so much more, and won, with less. Newton's stats are impressive but can only take him so far.

As for Aldon Smith, his rookie campaign has been incredibly impressive and so much more than what people expected. That said, he plays in a conference with outside linebackers with big names and complete games.

Smith's 14 sacks are impressive, but he'll have to keep doing that if he wants to pass the likes of DeMarcus Ware and Clay Matthews Jr.