Heads up, fans!
You have one more chance to watch your Denver Broncos play this season.
Well, sort of.
The Broncos coaching staff is in Honolulu, Hawai'i to coach the AFC all-stars in the Pro Bowl, which includes five Denver players.
Let's take a look at the Broncos in the game and what it took to get them into the game:
Manning put together possibly the best season of anyone in the league and he's one of two likely finalists for MVP with Adrian Peterson, who will suit up for the NFC, Sunday.
Manning finished second in passer rating (105.8), completion percentage (68.6) and yards per attempt (7.99), third in touchdowns thrown (37), and sixth in yards (4,659) among all NFL QBs.
He gets the start for the AFC Sunday because he was the most voted on player of any by football fans.
Bailey, like his teammate Manning, was voted to his 12th Pro Bowl this year – each is a record for their respective positions.
Even in his 14th season, Champ is still thought of as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, able to use his intelligence to jump routes and his superb tackling ability to limit receptions to short gains. He finished the regular season with 66 tackles, nine passes defended, and two interceptions.
Elvis Dumervil:
Dumervil is a defensive end that strikes fear into opposing quarterbacks. While his pass-rushing mate Von Miller – who was also voted in – gets most of the attention as of late, Dumervil is still a dominate defensive end.
This year he racked up 54 tackles, 11 sacks and was tied for a league lead with six forced fumbles because once he gets to the quarterback, he loves to strip the ball for a game-changing play.
Demaryius Thomas:
Speaking of game-changer, that's exactly what Demaryius Thomas has become.
Thomas enjoyed a career season with Manning throwing him the football; the third-year receiver caught 94 passes for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns, the first two numbers led the Broncos. At 6'3” 225 pounds, Thomas is a freak of nature; he's big and strong but also fast with great hands. He's the ultimate receiving threat and could catch a TD from Manning Sunday evening.
Zane Beadles:
On an offensive line that saw many injuries, Beadles was their most consistent player. The left guard remains a solid pass and run blocker, protecting Manning and opening up holes for running backs as needed. He was called for penalties only four times while allowing just one sack of the Denver QB all season long.
Both Beadles and Thomas were originally alternates and each get to play because New England Patriots guard Logan Mankins and receiver Wes Welker each withdrew following their loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship game last Sunday.
Also, left tackle Ryan Clady, right guard Chris Kuper and outside linebacker Von Miller are all sitting out of the Pro Bowl with injuries. Kuper had to have surgery on his lower right fibula while Clady and Miller's injuries are unspecified and regarded as much more minor.
The NFL's Pro Bowl kicks off at 7 p.m. ET Sunday January 27 and will be televised on NBC.
More NFL:
Peyton Manning roasts fellow all star players at Pro Bowl
Denver Broncos new quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp to work with Manning at Pro Bowl
Ray Lewis could join elite company with a Super Bowl win
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist. You can follow Rich on twitter or facebook for all your Denver Broncos news and opinion.
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