Matthew Stafford and Other Deserving NFC Pro Bowl Skill-Position Players

Here are my picks for those NFC players deserving of selection to the Pro Bowl. I'm excluding the offensive linemen here, sorry guys!

Offense

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers; Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints; Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

I'm selecting Stafford over Eli Manning and Cam Newton because his team is in a much better position to reach the playoffs and he's been more consistent than both of them.

Running Back: LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles; Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons; Darren Sproles, New Orleans Saints

Adrian Peterson would be in if it weren't for his nagging injuries, including today against the Redskins.  Sproles has done everything and then some for the Saints.

Fullback: Owen Schmitt, Philadelphia Eagles

There are two reasons why the Eagles lead the NFC in rushing: LeSean McCoy and Owen Schmitt.

Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson Jr., Detroit Lions; Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons; Victor Cruz, New York Giants; Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

Smith re-emerged this season as an elite NFC wideout.  He deserves a Pro Bowl bid.

Tight End: Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints; Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons

Like the AFC tight ends, these picks were pretty straightforward.  Gonzalez just keeps on producing.

Defense

Defensive End: Jason Babin, Philadelphia Eagles; Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings; Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants

These guys have been everywhere for their teams this year.  J.P.P. leads all NFC defensive ends in tackles and is third in sacks.

Defensive Tackle: Cullen Jenkins, Philadelphia Eagles; Amobi Okoye, Chicago Bears; Brandon Mebane, Seattle Seahawks

Mebane has been a force in the middle for Seattle all season.  He leads all NFC defensive players in tackles and has been a huge part of a defense that is sixth in the NFC against the run.

Inside Linebacker: Curtis Lofton, Atlanta Falcons; London Fletcher, Washington Redskins

You can't get much more consistent on defense than Fletcher.  NaVorro Bowman is a very close third.

Outside Linebacker: Sean Weatherspoon, Atlanta Falcons; Chad Greenway, Minnesota Vikings; Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Smith has been the Von Miller of the NFC for a defense that didn't allow a rushing touchdown until today's game against the Seattle Seahawks (Marshawn Lynch scored on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter.)

Cornerback: Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers; Brandon Browner, Seattle Seahawks; Carlos Rogers, San Francisco 49ers

Woodson is a solid candidate for another Defensive Player of the Year award.  Browner has been a very pleasant surprise in the Seahawks secondary while Seattle ranks fourth in the NFC against the pass. 

Strong Safety: Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle's defense is pretty good, honestly.

Free Safety: Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers; Thomas DeCoud, Atlanta Falcons

DeCoud has anchored a Falcons secondary that has been sixth in passing defense in the NFC.

Here are my AFC Pro Bowl selections and my 2011 NFL awards.