Windy City Gridiron
As we trend toward the start of January, the playoffs draw closer, and the weather grows colder. Week 15 became the first week of the season where teams could clinch playoff spots. On the other side of the coin, there have already been multiple groups eliminated from postseason contention. No matter the record, there’s one big push around the league, and that’s Pro Bowl voting. While some fanbases are waiting for the offseason, others are gearing up for the playoffs. This week, we’ll take a break from projecting the future or projecting the playoff field and focus on one player from each team who deserves a Pro Bowl nod.
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3) Previous Week: 2
Most Deserving Pro Bowler: QB Matthew Stafford
When the Rams made the bold move to trade for Stafford in 2021, most believed that if they could get three good years out of him, the blockbuster deal would be worth it. Not only has Los Angeles already won a Super Bowl with him under center, but he’s firmly in the MVP race, and on pace to put up career highs in multiple categories. It’s hard to believe that the 37-year-old’s status heading into the regular season was up in the air due to chronic back issues, isn’t it? The Rams are loaded with talent, but it’s hard to deny that he’s their best player.
2. Denver Broncos (12-2) Previous Week: 3
Most Deserving Pro Bowler: LB Nik Bonitto
Like any team at (11-2), Denver has plenty of deserving players that should get a nod, but this is all about the “most deserving,” which would be their stud pass rusher. Bonitto broke out last season, received an extension, and has followed up on that with another fantastic season. The Broncos’ defensive front as a whole is flat-out dominant, but the former Oklahoma product is the best of the bunch. Although Broncos fans are focused on winning the Top seed in the AFC, there’s plenty of talent that should be honored at the end of the season.
3. Seattle Seahawks (11-3) Previous Week: 4
Most Deserving Pro Bowler: WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba
Year 2 of Mike MacDonald has been as transformative as many Seahawks fans were hoping it would be. If it weren’t for the fact that they were in the deepest division in football, Seattle would be a sure-fire division-winner. They took a big gamble when swapping out Geno Smith and D.K. Metcalf for Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp, yet it has worked out tremendously, even if Kupp hasn’t delivered top production. A big reason why is Smith-Njigba’s meteoric rise into the league’s elite receivers. Although he’s no longer tracking to break the single-season receiver yards record, he has a comfortable lead at the top for yards this season.
4. New England Patriots (11-3) Previous Week: 1
Most Deserving Pro Bowler: QB Drake Maye
Let’s be honest here, a Pro Bowl nod isn’t enough. Maye has been one of, if not the best, quarterbacks in the...
