Pro Bowl Roster 2012: NFC Will Crush AFC after Ed Reed Bows Out

There is plenty of talent on the NFC and AFC rosters headed into the 2012 Pro Bowl in Honolulu, but safety Ed Reed's recent withdrawal due to injury will be the nail in the coffin for the AFC.

Not only does the NFC have a better quarterback (Aaron Rodgers over Ben Roethlisberger), it has a better receiving corps as a whole, better dual-threats at running back, comparable tight ends and a superior defensive line.

I'll give the AFC credit for having a better offensive line and better secondary, but the loss of Reed makes it a push at safety.

The NFC's receiving corps in particular is impressive. It lines up with Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings and Roddy White, compared to A.J. Green, Mike Wallace, Brandon Marshall and Vincent Jackson for the AFC.

The NFC also has Philadelphia Eagles star running back LeSean McCoy (the starting All-Pro this season), as well as Matt Forte and underrated Marshawn Lynch.

As for tight end, New Orleans Saints' second-year pro Jimmy Graham has been spectacular this season as a primary target for quarterback Drew Brees, amassing 1,310 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He's joined by Tony Gonzalez. The AFC sports Antonio Gates, but Graham had a better season in 2011.

And despite the AFC's dominant offensive line, I still believe the combination of Jared Allen, Jason Babin, Julius Peppers Jay Ratliff and Justin Smith will be able to pressure Roethlisberger.

Both linebacking crews are impressive, but I like the NFC with DeMarcus Ware (19.5 sacks this season) and incomparable run-stuffer Patrick Willis.

As for the special teams, both units are formidable, but the NFC has a better returner in rookie Patrick Peterson, who returned four punts for touchdowns this season.

Expect a wild one in Hawaii, but the NFC has the edge and will take the 2012 Pro Bowl.