On Wednesday, the NFL announced its rosters for its annual Pro Bowl game, and there was the usual combination of established stars and first-timers.
Patrick Mahomes will be starting at quarterback and Nick Chubb at running back for the AFC, while Jalen Hurts has been rewarded for the fine season he is having with the starting spot at quarterback for the NFC.
But as usual, some feel a few men got snubbed, and these two players have a great case to make that they should’ve gotten the final nod.
Dalvin Cook – Minnesota Timberwolves
Saquon Barkley certainly deserves to be the NFC’s starter at running back, and Miles Sanders is having a nice season for the Philadelphia Eagles, but so is Dalvin Cook for the 11-3 Minnesota Vikings.
Through 14 games, he has 1,045 yards and eight touchdowns, as well as 265 yards and two touchdowns in the air, which is equal to or greater than the production by the Dallas Cowboys’ Tony Pollard, the NFC’s third running back chosen.
The fact that the Vikings have a better record than Dallas and are on top of their division should’ve been the deciding factor that put Cook over the top.
Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers
If not Cook for the final running back spot on the NFC’s squad, how about McCaffrey?
He doesn’t have as many rushing yards or touchdowns as either Cook or Pollard, but he has more total yards from scrimmage (1,550) than either of them.
All-purpose yards, NFC running backs…
Christian McCaffrey: 1,578
Saquon Barkley: 1,464*
Tony Pollard: 1,279*
Miles Sanders: 1,182**Made Pro Bowl
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 22, 2022
McCaffrey’s impact on the 49ers since the Carolina Panthers traded him there in October has been unmistakable.
When he arrived in California, the Niners were just 3-3 and struggling on offense, but shortly afterward, they started a seven-game winning streak, the longest current streak in the whole league.
Thanks to his play, San Francisco has improved to ninth in rushing yards and eighth in rushing touchdowns.
