Although crushed and embarrassed last Sunday by the Los Angeles Rams 42-7, all but knocking Seattle (8-6) out of the NFC playoffs, the Seahawks Tuesday placed four players on the NFC Pro Bowl team: QB Russell Wilson, TE Jimmy Graham, LB Bobby Wagner and FS Earl Thomas.
Pro Bowl players are determined by a vote of fans, players and coaches, all counting 33+ percent. The 2018 Pro Bowl is Jan. 28 in Orlando.
Wilson, who has 30 touchdown passes and is the only quarterback in NFL history with 30 or more TD passes and 500+ rushing yards in multiple seasons (2015 and 2017), is a five-time Pro Bowler. Thomas is a Pro Bowler for a sixth time, Graham for a fifth time and Wagner for a fourth time.
SS Kam Chancellor was voted to the Pro Bowl team by fans last week, as was CB Richard Sherman, but the fact that both have been injured for several weeks precluded their inclusion on the final NFC Pro Bowl roster.
Four Seahawks were named as alternates: Chancellor, WR Doug Baldwin, DE Michael Bennett and KR Tyler Lockett.
Drew Brees of New Orleans and Carson Wentz of Philadelphia are the other NFC quarterbacks, both selected ahead of Wilson.
With five, the Rams had the most NFC players selected: DT Aaron Donald, RB Todd Gurley, P Johnny Hekker (Bothell native), PK Greg Zuerlein and return specialist Pharoh Cooper. Arnold had three sacks against Wilson Sunday at CenturyLink Field while Gurley ran for 152 yards and scored four touchdowns.
The Rams need one win or one Seattle loss to win the NFC West. The Seahawks need to win out against Dallas and Arizona over the next two weekends and hope for two losses by Atlanta to reach the postseason for the sixth consecutive season.
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Why not make the Pro Bowl an 8-on-8 event? The NHL has had success with a 3-on-3 All-Star game format, and 8-on-8 would at least create initial curiosity. It would also be a nice nod to the 8-man football played by very small high schools in rural areas, including some in Washington.