2013 NFL Pro Bowl Rosters: Best Players Who Won't Be in the Playoffs

The 2013 Pro Bowl rosters were just released by NFL.com and not everyone is competing in the postseason.

That, however, does not mean the game isn't worth watching.

Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions returns to the Pro Bowl and is coming off a historic NFL season.

Anytime a record of Jerry Rice's is broken, that warrants the utmost of recognition in pro football. Johnson is not the only player who missed on the postseason worth viewing when the Pro Bowl kicks off, though.

He's simply a stud competitor on a weak team, as well as these other Pro Bowlers who deserve acknowledgement for their 2012 efforts.

Note: Only players whose teams are eliminated from the postseason before Week 17 are listed.

Calvin Johnson: WR, Lions

Calvin Johnson just broke the single season receiving yards record.

As the NFL’s best receiver, Megatron taking away a record from Jerry Rice is quite impressive.

And although the Lions missed the postseason, Johnson’s 2012 campaign just ate the so-called Madden Curse alive. Detroit’s lack of success was a result of everyone else failing to live up to expectations, whereas Johnson went above and beyond.

Catching 117 passes for 1,892 yards after 15 contests, reaching 2,000 is quite realistic.

In short, there’s no Madden curse and Megatron just crushed it into oblivion.

Jamaal Charles: RB, Chiefs

After missing the entire 2011 season, Jamaal Charles was out to reestablish himself in 2012.

Well, he clearly made his presence known with 1,456 rushing yards and a 5.4 per carry average entering Week 17.

He also caught 34 passes for 222 yards through the initial 15 games.

Charles is the Kansas City Chiefs’ lone offensive threat and he still rolled consistently. K.C.’s year unfortunately didn’t correlate with Charles’ impressive season, but it only adds more promise in 2013.

Cameron Wake: DE, Dolphins

When thinking of the better pass-rushers in pro football, Cameron Wake isn’t the first player who comes to mind.

Other standout guys such as Von Miller and J.J. Watt are obvious just in the AFC alone.

Still, Wake collected 15 sacks and forced three fumbles to this point of the season. Making his second Pro Bowl appearance, Wake has impressively developed into a complete defender.

He’s a consistent tackler and can set the edge quite well, which has allowed the Miami Dolphins to rank No. 10 in rush defense.

Joe Thomas: OT, Browns

Joe Thomas goes against the best pass-rushers pro football has to offer each week.

Regardless of who happens to be on the Cleveland Browns' schedule, though, Thomas continues to dominate.

This season was Thomas' sixth consecutive Pro Bowl selection, which makes him perfect for his career. Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden was sacked just 28 times through 15 games and Trent Richardson gained 1,317 total yards.

If there's any future for Cleveland, those rookies won't produce without Thomas along the Browns' line.

Patrick Peterson: CB, Cardinals

Patrick Peterson continues to lockdown in coverage for the Arizona Cardinals.

In recording seven picks and defending 15 passes so far this season, Peterson significantly upped his impact throughout 2012.

Arizona enters Week 17 ranked No. 3 in pass defense and gives up only a 54.1 completion percentage. So, despite lacking against the run this defense still blankets in coverage and Peterson is a key component of that dependability.

Backed by arguably the NFL's worst offense, Peterson and the Card's defense had a strong 2012 season when you consider the bad positions they were constantly put in.

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