The Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers had their playoff hopes extinguished last week, but it was still impressive that both teams were even in the mix this late into the year.
The 6-8 Bucs have already tripled their win total from last year and, if they win out, have a chance for their first non-losing season since 2010. Although they were never able to crack the .500 mark this year, they kept themselves within spitting distance of a playoff berth for far longer than anyone could have anticipated.
More importantly, they seem to have found their franchise quarterback and have a solid young core to build around. Jameis Winston is a leading candidate for the Rookie of the Year award and has already etched his name in the record books, with more accolades likely to come. At age 21, he’s the youngest player in NFL history to produce a 3,000-yard passing season.
The four leading vote recipients — two offensive and two defensive — will serve as the players captains in the 2016 Pro Bowl, and will help with the live draft on Jan. 27. Each team will eventually include 44 players — 21 on offense, 18 on defense and five on special teams.
Limited Mens Stephen Curry Jersey This year, the Panthers led all teams with 10 Pro Bowl selections. Behind them, the Cardinals, Patriots and Seahawks each had seven selections.
As usual, players drafted from teams advancing through the postseason, and possibly playing in the Super Bowl, will miss out on the annual event. Others may miss the game due to injuries, or the fear of sustaining one, and will be replaced by Pro Bowl alternates.
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The Pro Bowl will take place on Jan. 31 in Honolulu, Hawaii, at Aloha Stadium — with some of the League’s best players lining up in what the NFL is trying to keep a competitive game.