Pro Bowl 2012 Game Time: Epic Playmakers to Keep Your Eye on in Hawaii

If the 2012 Pro Bowl is good for anything, it should provide NFL fans the opportunity to see some of the game's best playmakers do their thing with very little resistance.

To be very frank, inviting the defense is more of a formality than anything else; the truth is, they barely play.

Sure, they make tackles, and every now and then one of the elite corners or safeties will pick off a sloppy pass, but more often than not we all know the Pro Bowl is an offensive game.

For fans of big plays and epic highlights, this is going to be a fun time.

Here's a breakdown of some of the biggest playmakers on the Pro Bowl field.

Aaron Rodgers, QB (Green Bay Packers)

The starting quarterback for the NFC is a good place to start this breakdown.

Some would argue that Drew Brees had the better overall season, but when you look at Rodgers' numbers in context—4,643 yards, 45 touchdowns, only six interceptions and a 15-1 season—I think Rodgers will eventually get the edge.

What does that mean for the Pro Bowl? He can make any throw on the field and make it, well, just about every time. With the plethora of offensive talent surrounding him, this will be like shooting fish in a barrel for the Packers star.

Rodgers has an excellent, accurate deep ball and a laser down the middle or to the sidelines. Expect quarterback greatness to be on display.

A.J. Green, WR (Cincinnati Bengals)

For my money, Green is going to be one of the best wide receivers in the league in a few years. He has all the intangibles that make a great wideout at 6'4'' and 207 pounds. He's also got a good burst of speed, excellent hands and great vertical ability to go along with it.

The guy is a playmaker, and I think he may eventually be the closest thing we have to another Calvin Johnson in the league.

With all the elite quarterbacks getting him the ball and not as much pressure from the defense, expect Green to go off.

Cam Newton, QB (Carolina Panthers)

I probably don't have to tell you that Newton is a playmaker—his rookie season will do that for me.

He put up 4,051 yards and 21 touchdowns, but set himself apart with 706 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns.

Newton's a dual-threat whenever he gets the ball—even in the NFL, which is saying a lot—and I expect he's going to have a big-time game playing with some of the NFL's elite.

When is the 2012 Pro Bowl?

Sunday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. EST on NBC