NFL Playoffs: Tom Brady, Jamaal Charles and All-Playoff Teams
The Pro Bowl rosters recently came out, but I'm going to build a different type of All Star game.
If we could combine the rosters of all the teams that could make the playoffs in the AFC and NFC, who would the starters at each position be?
Some are obvious. Tom Brady would clearly be the quarterback for the AFC while Michael Vick would start in the NFC. Others, not so much.
If the season ended today, the playoff teams from the AFC would be the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs.
Representing the NFC would be the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints and St. Louis Rams.
Read on for a breakdown of who would make our All-Playoff Team.
AFC Quarterback: Tom Brady
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Tom Brady has done it all this season. He's won 13 games so far, he's thrown 34 touchdown passes, he's set the record for most consecutive passes without an interception and more.
Simply put, he's been unbelievable. No one in the league has been better.
This was an easy choice.
NFC Quarterback: Michael Vick
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Michael Vick has been astoundingly good this season. He's thrown beautiful spirals to DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and his other receivers. He's broken defenders ankles with his speed and agility while running the ball.
Vick would be the MVP of the NFL this year if Tom Brady didn't exist. Therefore, he's a lock for this team.
AFC Running Back: Jamaal Charles
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Jamaal Charles is the second-leading rusher in the NFL. Of the AFC playoff teams' running backs, Rashard Mendenhall is in second place, 143 yards behind Charles' 1,380.
Charles has also scored four times on the ground, but he's also had three receiving touchdowns and 485 yards in the passing game.
The running back's 6.4 yards per carry are also second in the league, trailing only Michael Vick.
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NFC Running Back: Michael Turner
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The leading rusher in the NFC is fifth in the entire NFL with 1,304 rushing yards.
Michael Turner has carried the Falcons on his back at times and has scored 11 touchdowns on the ground this year.
Steven Jackson would be the next best candidate, but he's not having a great year.
AFC Wide Receivers: Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Bowe
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Reggie Wayne has carried the Indianapolis Colts young receiving corps this season, catching 102 passes for 1,287 yards and five touchdowns.
Only Roddy White and Brandon Lloyd have had more receiving yards and neither is eligible for the AFC team. White is the only player with more catches.
Dwayne Bowe would line up on the other side of the field from him. Bowe has caught 67 passes for 1,094 yards and a league-leading 15 touchdowns.
He's a magnet for the end zone.
NFC Wide Receivers: Roddy White and Greg Jennings
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Roddy White has been arguably the best receiver in the league this year. The Atlanta Falcon has caught an NFL-high 109 passes and they've gone for 1,327 yards and nine scores.
He's made Matt Ryan look good multiple times.
Lining up on the other side of the field would be Greg Jennings, who narrowly edged out DeSean Jackson for the spot.
Jennings has caught 72 passes for 1,168 yards and 12 touchdowns.
AFC Tight End: Rob Gronkowski
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Rob Gronkowski enjoyed a breakout year for the New England Patriots. It doesn't hurt to have Tom Brady throwing the ball your way.
While he only caught 36 passes, the tight end scored on nine of those receptions and gained 444 yards.
Plus, Bill Simmons screamed his name every time he did something good. Seriously, check his twitter feed.
NFC Tight End: Tony Gonzalez
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Tony Gonzalez had a sub-par season by his standards, but there is still no better tight end in the playoffs on the NFC's side.
Gonzalez caught 64 passes for the Atlanta Falcons and scored five times. He had 603 receiving yards and was Matt Ryan's security blanket for much of the season.
AFC Fullback: Tim Castille
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Tim Castille has only carried the ball five times for three yards and no scores this season, but he's helped the Kansas City Chiefs put up more rushing yards than any other team in the league.
The fourth-year fullback out of Alabama has been a big part of that success.
NFC Fullback: Ovie Mughelli
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Ovie Mughelli has done a fabulous job blocking for Michael Turner this season and has been one of the main reasons for the team's success.
He's been overlooked by many, but still made the NFC Pro Bowl roster this year.
AFC Offensive Tackles: D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Ryan Diem
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These two players have both anchored the offensive line for their respective teams, Ferguson for the Jets and Diem for the Colts.
There's a reason that New York and Indianapolis are both in the top 10 in terms of least sacks allowed. Indianapolis, thanks to a combination of Diem and Peyton Manning's quick release, is actually No. 1.
NFC Offensive Tackles: Jason Peters and Chad Clifton
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Jason Peters is 6'4", 340-pound offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles. He's one of the men responsible for making Michael Vick's life easier.
Chad Clifton is an 11-year pro who weighs 320 pounds and blocks for the Green Bay Packers.
The two were named starters for the NFC in the Pro Bowl.
AFC Offensive Guards: Logan Mankins and Brian Waters
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Two of the three offensive guards in the Pro Bowl for the AFC, Mankins and Waters have both been sensational this year.
Mankins has helped Tom Brady be able to stay in the pocket and have plenty of time to deliver strikes down the field.
Waters has been an incredible run blocker and has helped the Chiefs utilize the No. 1 rushing attack in the league.
NFC Offensive Guards: Jahri Evans and Chris Snee
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The two starters for the NFC Pro Bowl team at this position have both had fantastic years.
Just like Logan Mankins did for Tom Brady, Jahri Evans anchors the Saints' offensive line and allows Brees to have plenty of time to throw the ball.
Chris Snee plays for the New York Giants and is one of the main reasons why Eli Manning has only been sacked 16 times.
AFC Center: Maurkice Pouncey
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Continuing in the line of great Pittsburgh Steelers centers in Maurkice Pouncey, a rookie out of Floriday.
The young lineman made the Pro Bowl team this year, the first Steelers rookie to do so since Kendrell Bell in 2001.
He may already be the best center in the NFL.
NFC Center: Shaun O'Hara
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Shaun O'Hara has played center for arguably the best offensive line in the league.
He's helped the Giants line only allow 16 sacks, the second fewest in the NFL. He's also helped block for Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. The Giants running game has averaged 4.7 yards per carry, the fourth most in the league.
AFC Defensive Ends: Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis
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Somehow, the best two defensive ends in the entire AFC both play for the same team: the Indianapolis Colts.
Dwight Freeney has 24 tackles, nine sacks and five forced fumbles. That's especially impressive when you consider the fact that he draws a double team on pretty much every single play.
Robert Mathis is the other. Mathis has recorded 56 tackles, 11 sacks and a single forced fumble so far in 2010.
NFC Defensive Ends: John Abraham and Justin Tuck
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John Abraham, the Falcons star defensive end, has been sensational in 2010. He's made 38 tackles and brought down opposing quarterbacks a league-leading 13 times. He's also forced two fumbles and even picked off Drew Brees in Week 16.
On the other end of the line would be Justin Tuck.
Tuck has recored 11 sacks and 74 tackles in 2010. Additionally, he's forced six fumbles and recovered an NFL-high five of them.
AFC Defensive Tackles: Haloti Ngata and Vince Wilfork
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Haloti Ngata has tackled opposing ballcarriers 62 times this season. 45 of those tackles didn't involve anyone else on the Baltimore Ravens squad.
He's also brought down the quarterback 5.5 times this season.
Vince Wilfork has played nose tackle for the New England Patriots this season. He's made 54 tackles this year, 43 of which were solo.
NFC Defensive Tackles: B.J. Raji and Sedrick Ellis
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For the Green Bay Packers, B.J. Raji has helped to anchor a very solid defensive line from the interior. He's recorded 28 solo tackles and 10 assisted takedowns. Raji has also sacked the opposing quarterback 6.5 times.
Lining up next to him would be Sedrick Ellis. The New Orleans Saint has recorded 41 tackles and six sacks so far in 2010.
AFC Outside Linebackers: James Harrison and Terrell Suggs
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Those who voted for the Pro Bowl got this one right.
James Harrison, the defensive leader for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has recorded 94 tackles and 11 sacks so far this season. He's also picked off two passes and forced 6 fumbles.
Harrison has also laid down countless runners with bone-crunching hits, some of which were legal.
Terrell Suggs also plays in the AFC North, but he's a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Suggs has recorded 65 tackles and 11 sacks in 2010. Additionally, he's forced two fumbles.
NFC Outside Linebackers: Clay Matthews and Jonathan Vilma
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Clay Matthews has been the best outside linebacker in the NFL, so it makes sense that he's on this team.
He's recorded 12.5 sacks, 58 tackles, defensed five passes, returned his only interception 62 yards for a touchdown and forced two fumbles.
There's nothing to dislike about Matthews.
Jonathan Vilma joins him in the linebacking core. The New Orleans Saint has recorded 104 tackles and four sacks this season. He's also intercepted a pass, forced three fumbles and recovered one.
AFC Middle Linebacker: Jerod Mayo
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Jerod Mayo, playing for the New England Patriots, led the entire NFL in tackles this season. He recorded 59 assisted tackles and 110 all by himself. Those numbers are high enough to merit a calculator's use, so I'll save you the trouble.
Mayo had an astounding 169 tackles in 2010.
He only recorded one sack and one forced fumble, but his tackling prowess alone gives him a spot on this team.
NFC Middle Linebacker: Brian Urlacher
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Brian Urlacher still hasn't lost a step.
The Chicago Bears middle linebacker recorded 120 tackles through Week 16, 93 of which were solo takedowns of opposing ballcarriers.
Urlancher also recorded three sacks, defensed 11 passes, intercepted one pass, forced two fumbles and recovered another three.
AFC Cornerbacks: Devin McCourty and Darrelle Revis
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Devin McCourty, the New England Patriots rookie cornerback, has been unbelievable this year.
He's shut down opposing wide receivers occasionally, but his counting stats are more impressive. McCourty has recorded 81 tackles and picked off six passes this season. He's also defensed 21 passes, forced two fumbled and recorded one sack.
Darrelle Revis isn't enjoying this season as much as he expected to, but his talent is still ridiculous. You don't want to be on Revis island.
NFC Cornerbacks: Asante Samuel and Brent Grimes
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Asante Samuel for the Philadelphia Eagles this year has recorded only 26 tackles, but he's picked off an NFL-high seven passes and defensed another 21.
Brent Grimes, playing for the Atlanta Falcons, has tackled opposing players 80 times. He's also recorded five interceptions and defensed an NFL-high 27 passes.
AFC Free Safety: Ed Reed
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Ed Reed has had another phenomenal season this year. He's been on fire for the latter half, literally at one point.
Reed has only recorded 35 tackles this year, but he has picked off quarterbacks six times.
Just ask Colt McCoy how he feels about Reed.
NFC Free Safety: Chris Harris
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Chris Harris has tackled opposing players 65 times from the free safety spot.
He's also recorded five interceptions and recovered two fumbles.
Harris has really helped the Bears defense this year and has become synonymous with "turnover-causing machine."
AFC Strong Safety: Troy Polamalu
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Just like Tom Brady was a lock at quarterback, Troy Polamalu is a lock at strong safety.
Enough said.
NFC Strong Safety: Roman Harper
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Roman Harper has led all NFC defensive backs with 92 tackles. He's also defensed nine passes and picked off one more for the New Orleans Saints.
As if that wasn't enough already, Harper has recorded three sacks, forced six fumbles (more than any other NFC defensive back) and recovered another fumble.
He may not be the biggest name, but he's been the best of those in the playoff picture.
AFC Punter: Sam Koch
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The Baltimore Ravens punter has boomed 74 punts this year, averaging a net 39 yards, the fourth highest in the AFC.
He's also downed 37 inside the 20-yard line, second only to Steve Weatherford's 38 for the New York Jets.
Koch hasn't had a punt blocked and even booted a 60-yarder.
NFC Punter: Donnie Jones
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Donnie Jones has been the punter for the St. Louis Rams and has done an excellent job.
His 39.9 net average per punt is second only to the Cowboys' Mat McBriar, who isn't eligible for this team.
Jones has not had a punt blocked and has downed 30 inside the 20-yard line. Only Andy Lee of the 49ers has done better.
AFC Placekicker: Adam Vinatieri
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Adam Vinatieri has made 23 of his 25 field goals this year, including six of seven from 40 yards or longer.
He's also knocked through all 49 PATs he's attempted this season.
Vinatieri is automatic from close range and has nerves of steel, as he's proved time after time in the past.
NFC Placekicker: Josh Brown
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The St. Louis Rams kicker has made 31 of his 37 field goal attempts this season. He's even knocked through three of four from 50 yards or farther.
Brown has also made 26 of his 27 extra point attempts on the season.
Plus, the Rams needed someone on the team.
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