The Minnesota Vikings have shocked the NFL and probably most fans with a 14-2 record heading into their final regular season game, a game in Detroit where the winner gets the NFC North and the number one seed - and the loser hits the road as the NFC's fifth-seeded team.
That on-field success comes with some postseason honors including the Pro Bowl game. Six Vikings, including new quarterback Sam Darnold, were named to the roster on Thursday. Darnold will back up Jared Goff of Detroit who was named the starter.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson, outside linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, cornerback Byron Murphy and long snapper Andrew DePaola are the other Vikings. This will be Jefferson's fourth Pro Bowl in his five seasons.
Darnold is coming off a career high 377 yards passing in a win over Green Bay setting up that winner-take-all game in Detroit Sunday. He's thrown for 4,153 yards with 35 touchdowns against just 12 interceptions. Those numbers are by far career highs. This will be Darnold's first Pro Bowl.
"One more first timer on the offensive side of the ball, as you guys welcomed him back to the locker room the other day," head coach Kevin O'Connell told the team, announcing who made the Pro Bowl on Thursday. "Not expecting that kind of response right now, but please give it up for Mr. Sam Darnold!"
"All the accolades, all the awards, man. That's everyone in this huddle, every single one of y'all," Darnold told his teammates after hearing he made the team.
Seven other Vikings are listed as alternates for the Pro Bowl set for Sunday, February 2. This is the Vikings largest group of Pro Bowl players since 2009. Of course the team is hoping none of them play in the game that takes place the week before the Super Bowl.
Ravens, Lions, Eagles Lead Pro Bowl Picks
The team with the most pro bowl players are the Baltimore Ravens with nine, including two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, were selected for the Pro Bowl Games. The Detroit Lions are next with seven players and and Philadelphia Eagles have six players on the NFC roster.
Patrick Mahomes wasn’t selected to the AFC roster for the first time since becoming Kansas City’s starting quarterback in his second season. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP and six-time Pro Bowl pick, wasn’t among five Chiefs chosen. Teammate Travis Kelce made it for the 10th time.
Washington’s Jayden Daniels is just the fourth rookie quarterback since 1970 selected to the initial Pro Bowl roster. Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse are the other rookies among 24 players chosen for the first time.
The AFC’s starting quarterback is Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Jackson and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow are the backups.
Philadelphia’s Saquon Barkley, who became the ninth player to rush for 2,000 yards, is the NFC’s starting running back.
San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk was selected to his ninth Pro Bowl, the most ever by a fullback. Indianapolis’ Quenton Nelson is the third offensive lineman since 1970 to be selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven career seasons.
Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase is the fourth wide receiver to be selected in each of his first four seasons. Dallas’ Micah Parsons is the first defensive player chosen in each of his first four seasons since Aaron Donald went to 10 straight.
Wide receiver Zay Flowers, safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, fullback Patrick Ricard and inside linebacker Roquan Smith are the other Ravens.
Safety Brian Branch, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, center Frank Ragnow, right tackle Penei Sewell, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and punter Jack Fox join Goff from the Lions.
Right tackle Lane Johnson, center Cam Jurgens and left guard Landon Dickerson, defensive tackle Jalen Carter and inside linebacker Zack Baun are going from Philadelphia.
The Dolphins, Jets, Titans and Saints are the only teams not represented.
This is the third year of the Pro Bowl Games after the NFL eliminated its full-contact all-star game and replaced it with weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game.
The games will take place at Central Florida and finish with a seven-on-seven flag football game between the AFC and NFC at Camping World Stadium on Feb. 2.
Peyton and Eli Manning again will be head coaches for the two conferences.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.