The fact is that the majority NFL gamers won’t ever play in a Tremendous Bowl. However in case you might wave a magic wand and put one deserving participant from every AFC crew within the epic yearly showdown, who would it not be?
Forward of Sunday’s Tremendous Bowl between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox), Yardbarker NFL writers did simply that.
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS | QB Josh Allen | Very like John Elway and Peyton Manning earlier than him, Allen will likely be often known as a QB who “can’t win the large one” till he performs in a Tremendous Bowl and hoists the Lombardi Trophy afterward. The 28-year-old QB has completed as a top-10 passer in 4 of seven NFL seasons, however till he improves on his 0-4 playoff file in opposition to the Chiefs (7-2 in opposition to all different groups), Allen won’t ever get the credit score he deserves.
MIAMI DOLPHINS | RB Raheem Mostert | Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dolphins in 2015, he has 2,181 yards since rejoining the crew in 2022, with a league-high 18 touchdowns in 2023. He took a again seat to teammate De’Von Achane with simply 85 carries in 2024, however at 32, Mostert deserves to have his persistence rewarded.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS | Security Brenden Schooler | Schooler joined the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has performed in 84 % of the crew’s special-teams snaps since. The 27-year-old security was the one Patriots participant voted to this season’s Professional Bowl and made the NFLPA’s Gamers’ All-Professional Group for the second straight yr, no small feat for a comparatively unheralded participant from a 4-13 crew.
NEW YORK JETS | LB Quincy Williams | Ranked because the Thirty second-best participant in NFL.com’s Top 100 Players of 2024, Williams began his profession as a third-round choose of the Jaguars in 2019 however was launched in 2021 after making simply 59 tackles with no sacks in 18 video games. With the Jets, who picked him up on waivers, he has 9 sacks, 10 pressured fumbles, 4 100-tackle seasons and one All-Professional marketing campaign (2023). — Bruce Ewing
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS | WR Courtland Sutton | Though Sutton has solely made the playoffs as soon as in seven seasons with Denver, the WR said, “That is the place the place I would like to have the ability to retire.” A Tremendous Bowl look and a win can be the proper approach for the Broncos to reward the previous Professional Bowler for his loyalty.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | WR DeAndre Hopkins | Hopkins — who has made 5 Professional Bowls in 12 seasons with the Texans, Cardinals, Titans and Chiefs — will play in his first Tremendous Bowl in opposition to the Eagles on Sunday. In his Monday news conference, the WR stated he would hand over his accolades to win a championship. If he sticks round with Ok.C. and Patrick Mahomes, extra SBs must be in his future.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | Edge-rusher Maxx Crosby | In six seasons with the Raiders, Crosby has had extra head coaches (4, excluding new coach Pete Carroll) than playoff wins (zero). In a recent interview with “Good Morning Football,” the four-time Professional Bowler indicated he’s bored with the dysfunction, saying, “I would like the prospect to truly win and be in [playoff] video games.”
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | QB Justin Herbert | In 5 seasons with L.A., the 26-year-old has the fourth-most passing yards (21,093) and fourth-most TD passes (137) in franchise historical past. Till Herbert performs in (and wins) his first Tremendous Bowl, he could have an identical profession to former Chargers QBs Dan Fouts and Philip Rivers, who by no means hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS | RB Derrick Henry | Henry has 5 Professional Bowls, an Offensive Participant of the 12 months Award and 4 1,500-yard-plus speeding seasons throughout his prolific profession. A Tremendous Bowl look is the one unchecked field for the long run Corridor of Famer.
CINCINNATI BENGALS | QB Joe Burrow | Burrow led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and passing touchdowns (43) this season, however the Bengals couldn’t even crack the playoffs due to their Twenty fifth-ranked scoring protection. Tom Brady is the one QB not named Burrow who’s taken down Mahomes within the playoffs. He richly deserves his second SB look.
CLEVELAND BROWNS | Guard Joel Bitonio | It’s not simple to remain devoted to this group, as Bitonio has admirably for 11 seasons, however he has solely two playoff appearances to point out for his loyalty. The seven-time Professional Bowler and two-time first-team All-Professional deserves to play significant soccer in January and February.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS | DE T.J. Watt | Watt is a seven-time Professional Bowler, four-time first-team All-Professional and three-time NFL sack chief, however he has by no means even performed in a convention championship sport. The Steelers should improve their stale offense to present Watt, a future Corridor of Famer, the prospect to win a Tremendous Bowl ring. — Jack Dougherty
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS | WR Tank Dell | The 2023 third-round choose’s first two NFL seasons have been curtailed by accidents, including a torn ACL and dislocated knee cap in Week 16 in 2024 and a broken leg in Week 13 in 2023. It’s an unlucky begin for a participant brimming with expertise, however a Tremendous Bowl might ease the ache.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | Guard Quenton Nelson | The No. 6 total choose of the 2018 NFL Draft has been named to the Professional Bowl in every of his first seven seasons, and he was a first-time All-Professional member throughout his first three years (2018-20). Nelson has skilled QB Andrew Luck’s stunning 2019 retirement and a rotation of QBs Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan in subsequent seasons, however he has by no means performed in a Tremendous Bowl.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | WR Brian Thomas Jr. | Thomas had the most effective season of any participant in a loaded 2024 rookie large receiver class, ending with 87 receptions, 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. Within the draft, he was neglected in favor of Cardinals wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. and his LSU teammate, Malik Nabers. Thomas would undoubtedly stand out in a Tremendous Bowl.
TENNESSEE TITANS | DL Jeffery Simmons | Simmons, who just lately completed his sixth season within the league, obtained a Professional Bowl nod for the third time in 2024. The Titans had been the AFC’s high seed in 2021, Simmons’ third NFL season, however he hasn’t been within the playoffs since. — Eric Smithling
