Biggest Winners & Losers of 2013 Pro Bowl Selections

NFL players, coaches and fans could hardly care less about the Pro Bowl. Well, the Pro Bowl game.

When it comes to naming the roster, though, it's suddenly the most important thing in the world. Player bonuses ride on it, fans are desperate to see their favorite players go and their favorite team represented.

With the NFL's post-Christmas announcement of the 2013 Pro Bowl rosters, we now know who got a Hawaiian vacation in their stocking... and who got a lump of coal.

Who were the luckiest players in the NFL this Christmas? Who were the naughtiest kids who still got what they asked for? Who on the nice list are still sitting glumly in the corner?

Hit "Next" to find out.

WINNER: Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers Running Back

With 1,148 yards rushing at a healthy 4.8 yards-per-carry clip, Gore is having a very solid season in a career full of solid seasons.

But with only seven touchdowns and minimal receiving contributions, Gore is fortunate to have an invite to Hawaii.

LOSER: C.J. Spiller, Buffalo Bills Running Back

C.J. Spiller has had a phenomenal season. As the Bills have realized what a playmaker the young tailback is and given him carries, his record-breaking 6.5 yards-per-carry production hasn't slipped.

He's even more lethal as a pass-catcher, making his omission that much harder to believe.

WINNER: Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks Left Tackle

Russell Okung has had a great season protecting rookie quarterback Russell Wilson. However, his run-blocking hasn't been so great—and he's been flagged for 12 penalties (with one offset/declined).

That's second-worst in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

LOSER: Doug Martin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Running Back

Poor Doug Martin. All the rookie's done is carry the ball 291 times for an incredible 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He's also added 45 catches for 454 yards, meaning he's far outproduced running backs with tickets to Hawaii—despite trying to put the flailing Buccaneers on his back.

WINNER: Chris Snee, New York Giants Offensive Guard

Chris Snee is a very good guard, and has been for years. But this season, his pass protection just hasn't been up to par.

The Giants have a huge fanbase; it's not surprising to see a Giant offensive lineman with a good reputation sneak out his fourth Pro Bowl invite with worthier contenders waiting in line.

LOSER: Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed a playmaker at wide receiver, and they spent big money to secure Jackson's services. He's more than held up his end of the deal.

With a fourth-best 1,334 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, all at a league-leading 19.3 yards per reception, Jackson's one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL—yet, if he wants to see the Pro Bowl, he'll have to buy a ticket.

WINNER: Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs Outside Linebacker

Hali has notched an excellent 9.0 sacks on the season, which in any other season would be one of the best totals in the NFL. But this is the Year of the Sack, and 9.0 ties him for 23rd in the NFL.

Further, Hali isn't as consistently good against the run as some of the best AFC edge-rushers who were left off the team.

LOSER: Evan Mathis, Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Guard

Almost nothing in Philadelphia is going right, but the left of the Eagles' line is in great shape. At guard, Mathis is Pro Football Focus's best-graded offensive lineman.

He's having an outstanding season protecting against the pass rush—but he's beyond devastating as a run-blocker. Mathis also plays fair: He's only been penalized four times in 1,089 snaps.

WINNER: Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts Outside Linebacker

Mathis is doing an admirable job this season; transitioning from a 4-3 rush end to a 3-4 rush linebacker isn't nearly as easy as most think.

But Mathis' 8.0 sacks don't put his pressure production anywhere near the best in the NFL—and Mathis is a liability against the run.

LOSER: John Sullivan, Minnesota Vikings Center

Sullivan's exclusion might be the biggest snub of the year. He's done an incredible job blowing holes open for one of the greatest seasons any running back has ever had, while fending off interior pressure better than most.

Not only that, he's committed just two penalties; that's fewer than any other starting center.

WINNER: Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens Safety

Ed Reed is an all-time great, but his play isn't what it used to be. The coverage is still there, but his play against the run is a lot more about going for big hits than making big plays.

Call it a victory lap, but there were far more deserving candidates.

LOSER: Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions Defensive Tackle

Ndamukong Suh may never match his rookie sack total of 10.0. But Suh's down-to-down pass rushing is much better, and much more consistent, than it used to be—and his run discipline is worlds better than it's been.

Between his seven sacks, 19 hits and 28 hurries, Suh got measurable pressure more often than all but two defensive tackles in the NFL this season: Cincinnati's Geno Atkins and Suh's partner in crime, Nick Fairley.

WINNER: Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings Defensive End

Allen has been one of the best, most complete defensive ends in football for years on end. But his pass rushing in 2012 hasn't been anywhere near up to his usual standard—or the standard of quite a few NFC pass-rushers who did more to earn Allen's trip to paradise.

LOSER: Anthony Spencer, Dallas Cowboys Outside Linebacker

On game film, Spencer has finally stepped out of the shadow of his running mate, DeMarcus Ware.

Spencer has notched a career-high 10 sacks, all while playing some of the best run defense of any 3-4 outside linebacker.

WINNER: Donte Whitner, San Francisco 49ers Safety

Donte Whitner got a pretty big boost from the NFL's outdated split between free safeties and strong safeties, but even then this selection doesn't make a lot of sense.

He's been an average safety playing behind the best inside linebacker duo in the game.

LOSER: Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings Cornerback

Winfield has always been one of the best run-stopping corners in the NFL. But at age 35, he's somehow also having one of his best seasons as a cover corner, too.

An integral part of a defense that's not getting enough credit, Winfield deserved a trip to Honolulu.