KC Chiefs: Five Players Make Pro Bowl
Five KC Chiefs players made the 2016 Pro Bowl. The list includes four defensive players and one offensive player as well.
The Kansas City Chiefs have produced one of the most incredible turnarounds in NFL history this season. After starting 1-5, the Chiefs have reeled off eight wins in a row, and not only do they have a chance to make the playoffs, but they can still win the AFC West.
They are winning with a stalwart defense, and that unit has been amply rewarded with Pro Bowl selections.
The 2015-2016 NFL Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Tuesday. The 9-5 KC Chiefs fave five players on the AFC’s roster, including:
OLB Justin Houston
OLB Tamba Hali
TE Travis Kelce
This will be the fifth appearance for Tamba, fourth for Berry and Houston and the first appearance for both Kelce and the rookie Peters.
Peters has simply been great in his first year out of Washington University. He already has seven interceptions, good for second in the NFL, and also has 23 passes defended as well. He has finally made the Chiefs’ defensive backfield relevant after years of them being torched by Peyton Manning among many others.
He has finally made the Chiefs’ defensive backfield relevant after years of them being torched by Peyton Manning among many others.
Hali and Houston (along with Dee Ford) have combined for arguably the best pass-rush in all of football. The two have combined for 14 total sacks and 64 total tackles even though Houston has missed multiple games due to injury. Dee Ford has filled in admirably, getting a few sacked in Houston’s absence.
Eric Berry was in the hospital just over a year ago after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Yesterday, he made the 2015-2016 Pro Bowl.
What a story! Berry could be he best safety in the entire NFL even coming off of cancer treatment that could have ended his career.
He has two interceptions and 52 solo tackles as well. He is one of the most punishing safeties in football, perhaps behind only Seattle’s Kam Chancellor.
Travis Kelce was the only offensive player to make the Pro Bowl for the Chiefs. Kelce is probably the second best tight end in the AFC right now behind Rob Gronkowski. Kelce was quarterback Alex Smith‘s top option last season and is his second option this year behind new addition receiver Jeremy Maclin.
Kelce has 822 yards and 4 touchdowns thus far this season, while last year he had 862 yards and 5 touchdowns. It looks like Kelce will at least sniff breaking the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his young career.
Were there snubs? Absolutely!
Inside linebacker Derrick Johnson is the top candidate in Kansas City for that conversation. Johnson is the Chiefs’ all-time leading tackler, and is coming off of an Achilles’ injury that kept him out for the majority of last season. He already has 81 solo tackles and 19 assisted tackles, which leads the team.
Johnson could have, and in my opinion, should have been elected to this year’s Pro Bowl, but that just didn’t happen. In the defense of the voters, there are plenty of good inside linebackers throughout the AFC.
Let me know what you think! Did any Chiefs’ player get snubbed? Did someone make it that shouldn’t have? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!