One year ago, it was uncertain whether Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson would even suit up in 2012, due to a pair of gruesome injuries. But now the former is headed for the playoffs, the latter may set the all-time rushing record and both stars have been named Pro Bowl starters. The NFL announced the rosters last night for its meaningless postseason celebration, with Manning under center for the AFC and Peterson in the backfield for the NFC. With an asterisk denoting the starters, here is a look at the selected offensive and defensive players for both conferences: AFC OFFENSE Quarterback Peyton Manning, Denver* Tom Brady, New England Matt Schaub, Houston Running back Arian Foster, Houston* Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Ray Rice, Baltimore Fullback Vonta Leach, Baltimore* Wide receiver A.J. Green, Cincinnati* Andre Johnson, Houston* Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Wes Welker, New England Tight end Rob Gronkowski, New England* Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Tackle Joe Thomas, Cleveland* Duane Brown, Houston* Ryan Clady, Denver Guard Logan Mankins, New England* Marshal Yanda, Baltimore* Wade Smith, Houston Center Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh* Chris Myers, Houston AFC DEFENSE Defensive end J.J. Watt, Houston* Cameron Wake, Miami* Elvis Dumervil, Denver Interior linemen Geno Atkins, Cincinnati* Vince Wilfork, New England* Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Outside linebacker Von Miller, Denver* Tamba Hali, Kansas City* Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Inside/Middle linebacker Jerod Mayo, New England* Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Cornerback Champ Bailey, Denver* Johnathan Joseph, Houston* Antonio Cromartie, N.Y. Jets Free safety Ed Reed, Baltimore* Strong safety Eric Berry, Kansas City* LaRon Landry, N.Y. Jets AFC SPECIALISTS Punter Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City Kicker Phil Dawson, Cleveland Kick returner Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Special-teamer Matthew Slater, New England NFC OFFENSE Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay* Matt Ryan, Atlanta Robert Griffin III, Washington Running back Adrian Peterson, Minnesota* Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Frank Gore, San Francisco Fullback Jerome Felton, Minnesota* Wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Detroit* Brandon Marshall, Chicago* Julio Jones, Atlanta Victor Cruz, N.Y. Giants Tight end Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta* Jason Witten, Dallas Tackle Joe Staley, San Francisco* Russell Okung, Seattle* Trent Williams, Washington Guard Mike Iupati, San Francisco* Jahri Evans, New Orleans* Chris Snee, N.Y. Giants Center Max Unger, Seattle* Jeff Saturday, Green Bay NFC DEFENSE Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, N.Y. Giants* Julius Peppers, Chicago* Jared Allen, Minnesota Interior linemen Justin Smith, San Francisco* Henry Melton, Chicago* Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Outside linebacker Aldon Smith, San Francisco* DeMarcus Ware, Dallas* Clay Matthews, Green Bay Inside/Middle linebacker Patrick Willis, San Francisco* NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco Cornerback Charles Tillman, Chicago* Tim Jennings, Chicago* Patrick Peterson, Arizona Free safety Dashon Goldson, San Francisco* Earl Thomas, Seattle Strong safety Donte Whitner, San Francisco* NFC SPECIALISTS Punter Thomas Morstead, New Orleans Place-kicker Blair Walsh, Minnesota Kick returner Leon Washington, Seattle Special-teamer Lorenzo Alexander, Washington
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Pro Bowl Rosters Announced, Led By Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson