The Patriots had three players get named to the Pro Bowl, which was announced Tuesday night.
Those players were: cornerback Stephon Gilmore, linebacker Dont'a Hightower and special teams player Matthew Slater.
Gilmore was a sure thing, as he's in the running for Defensive Player of the Year. He is tied for the league lead with six interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown. He's also been targeted 84 times and has yet to allow a touchdown. No other defender has been targeted that many times and not allowed a touchdown this year. This is his third time being named to the team.
For Hightower, it's just his second time being named Pro Bowler, as he was previously in only 2016. The 29-year-old has 60 tackles on the year, seven for loss, four sacks, nine QB hits and a fumble returned for a touchdown. Hightower is one of the leaders of the Patriots defense, which is among the best in the entire league.
Slater is back on the team after missing out last year. Prior to that, he had made the team in six straight seasons. Missed games last year hurt his cause. Slater is one of the best special teamers in the entire league and had his first career touchdown this year on a blocked punt.
Some Patriots who likely got consideration but missed out were Jake Bailey, Julian Edelman, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Devin McCourty.
The Patriots had just two players get named to the team last year — Tom Brady and Gilmore.
