Pro Bowl 2015: TV Info, Injury Updates, Game Time and More
Cris Carter and Michael Irvin have made their picks—the 2015 Pro Bowl is now completely set.
Practices and walkthroughs are all that's left between us and the event on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals, plays host to the event. Super Bowl XLIX will also be at this venue.
The NFL's best crop of talent will be on display, but will we see them challenged? Defenses rarely appear at Pro Bowls, leading to pass-happy quarterbacks with minute-long pockets and wide-open receivers. Sure, it's somewhat fun to watch, but the game's credibility takes a hit as a result.
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The second year of the fantasy draft format could very well deliver the best Pro Bowl we've seen in years given the talent pool, refined rules and several other factors. Below is all the must-know information for the event.
When: Sunday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Watch: ESPN
Injury Replacements
Several Pro Bowlers have been replaced due to injuries or other factors. You can find a full list of substitutes below, courtesy of ESPN.com.
| Drew Brees (Saints) | QB | Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) |
| Matthew Stafford (Lions) | QB | Peyton Manning (Broncos) |
| Matt Ryan (Falcons) | QB | Tom Brady (Patriots) |
| Andy Dalton (Bengals) | QB | Aaron Rodgers (Packers) |
| Alfred Morris (Redskins) | RB | LeSean McCoy (Eagles) |
| Justin Forsett (Ravens) | RB | Arian Foster (Texans) |
| Mark Ingram (Saints) | RB | Marshawn Lynch (Seahawks) |
| Odell Beckham Jr. (Giants) | WR | Calvin Johnson (Lions) |
| Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos) | WR | Julio Jones (Falcons) |
| Golden Tate (Lions) | WR | Jeremy Maclin (Eagles), who replaced Demaryius Thomas (Broncos) |
| Randall Cobb (Packers) | WR | Dez Bryant (Cowboys) |
| Evan Mathis (Eagles) | G | Jahri Evans (Saints) |
| Mike Pouncey (Dolphins) | G | Mike Iupati (49ers) |
| Martellus Bennett (Bears) | TE | Rob Gronkowski (Patriots) |
| Jason Witten (Cowboys) | TE | Julius Thomas (Broncos) |
| Sheldon Richardson (Jets) | DT | Gerald McCoy (Buccaneers) |
| D'Qwell Jackson (Colts) | LB | Bobby Wagner (Seahawks) |
| Antonio Cromartie (Cardinals) | CB | Richard Sherman (Seahawks) |
| Sam Shields (Packers) | CB | Darrelle Revis (Patriots) |
| Donte Whitner (Browns) | S | Tashaun Gipson (Browns) |
| Antoine Bethea (49ers) | S | Kam Chancellor (Seahawks) |
| Mike Adams (Colts) | S | Earl Thomas (Seahawks) |
| Cody Parkey (Eagles) | K | Stephen Gostkowski (Patriots) |
| Darrell Stuckey (Chargers) | Utility | Matthew Slater (Patriots) |
Rosters
| QB | Andrew Luck, IND | Tony Romo, DAL |
| Drew Brees, NO | Matt Ryan, ATL | |
| Andy Dalton, CIN | Matthew Stafford, DET | |
| RB | Jamaal Charles, KC | DeMarco Murray, DAL |
| Justin Forsett, BAL | C.J. Anderson, DEN | |
| Alfred Morris, WAS | Mark Ingram, NO | |
| FB | John Kuhn, GB | Marcel Reece, OAK |
| WR | Antonio Brown, PIT | Odell Beckham JR., NYG |
| Jordy Nelson, GB | Emmanuel Sanders, DEN | |
| T.Y. Hilton, IND | Randall Cobb, GB | |
| A.J. Green, CIN | Golden Tate, DET | |
| TE | Greg Olsen, CAR | Jimmy Graham, NO |
| Martellus Bennett, CHI | Jason Witten, DAL | |
| OT | Joe Staley, SF | Joe Thomas, CLE |
| Duane Brown, HOU | Tyron Smith, DAL | |
| Ryan Clady, DEN | Trent Williams, WAS | |
| C | Maurkice Pouncey, PIT | Travis Frederick, DAL |
| Jason Kelce, PHI | Nick Mangold, NYJ | |
| OG | Josh Sitton, GB | Zack Martin, DAL |
| Evan Mathis, PHI | Marshal Yanda, BAL | |
| Mike Pouncey, MIA | Kyle Long, CHI | |
| DE | J.J. Watt, HOU | DeMarcus Ware, DEN |
| Mario Williams, BUF | Cameron Wake, MIA | |
| Calais Campbell, ARI | Robert Quinn, STL | |
| DT | Marcell Dareus, BUF | Aaron Donald, STL |
| Dontari Poe, KC | Geno Atkins, CIN | |
| Kyle Williams, BUF | Sheldon Richardson, NYJ | |
| OLB | Justin Houston, KC | Von Miller, DEN |
| Connor Barwin, PHI | Clay Matthews, GB | |
| Tamba Hali, KC | Elvis Dumervil, BAL | |
| ILB | C.J. Mosley, BAL | Luke Kuechly, CAR |
| Lawrence Timmons, PIT | D'Qwell Jackson, IND | |
| CB | Aqib Talib, DEN | Joe Haden, CB |
| Patrick Peterson, ARI | Brent Grimes, MIA | |
| Sam Shields, GB | Vontae Davis, IND | |
| Antonio Cromartie, ARI | Chris Harris, DEN | |
| S | Donte Whitner, CLE | T.J. Ward, DEN |
| Glover Quin, DET | Eric Weddle, SD | |
| Antoine Bethea, SF | Mike Adams, IND | |
| K | Cody Parkey, PHI | Adam Vinatieri, IND |
| P | Pat McAfee, IND | Kevin Huber, CIN |
| PR | Devin Hester, ATL | Darren Sproles, PHI |
| ST | Justin Bethel, ARI | Darrell Stuckey, SD |
| LS | Jon Dorenbos, PHI | L.P. Ladouceur, DAL |
Preview
Carter, with captains J.J. Watt and Antonio Brown by his side, selected Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. This marks the second year in which he was taken with the top choice, and for good reason. He tossed 40 touchdowns to lead the league.
Brown and the rest of the wide receivers will love catching passes from Luck given his gunslinger mentality. Of course, the one who stands to benefit most is T.Y. Hilton. The two connected for seven touchdowns during the regular season.
This is where defense might actually play a pivotal role, though. Irvin chose Vontae Davis as one of his four cornerbacks because of his underappreciated season in Indy. Davis is amped about the opportunity to lock down his teammate:
Davis' cockiness hasn't gotten to Hilton, however:
Irvin's other defensive backs—Joe Haden, Chris Harris and Brent Grimes—will have their hands full with Brown, A.J. Green and Jordy Nelson. Carter did a fantastic job loading up on fast, big-play receivers.
While Carter clearly focused on standout offensive talents (he also selected Jamaal Charles and Greg Olsen), Irvin seemingly based his picks off one thing—the uniform they wear.
Irvin, a former Dallas Cowboys superstar, selected head coach Jason Garrett and seven current Cowboys to his team. Tony Romo, DeMarco Murray, Jason Witten, Zack Martin, Travis Frederick, Tyron Smith and L.P. Ladouceur will all suit up for Team Irvin. Oh, and former Cowboy DeMarcus Ware will as well.
While odd, this may prove advantageous. Romo and Murray were some of the most consistent players at their respective positions this season. They'll find success with three-fifths of their own offensive line protecting them in the backfield. Witten is also a familiar option for Romo, meaning this offense should produce points quickly.
This offense will be supported by the better-constructed defense. Carter has supreme talent on offense, but Irvin trumped him by finding value in keeping familiar parts together. This allowed him to stock up on defensive studs.
Aside from his quartet of top corners, Irvin has a unbelievable defensive line. Ware, Cameron Wake, Robert Quinn, Aaron Donald, Geno Atkins and Sheldon Richardson should pulverize Luck, Drew Brees and Andy Dalton.
Add in stellar linebackers Von Miller and Luke Kuechly, and you've got some big-time hitters in the box.
As a result of the picks, NFL.com's Michael Fabiano thinks Irvin constructed the best squad:
The winner doesn't matter for all intents and purposes. The Pro Bowl is meant to be a fun, lighthearted event for fans to watch the game's best on the field at the same time. That doesn't mean it can't be competitive, right?
All we can hope for is the defenses to show up and at least make an effort. That'll take this game to new heights. Irvin has the talent on defense to really make life hard for Luck, but it remains to be seen if that will happen.
Should this play out like an actual football game, Irvin's team will win. If not, then Luck and the passing attack will light it up for Team Carter.
Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn
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