Now that we are about halfway through the regular season, it is time to start considering which players are deserving of the Pro Bowl. For this series, we will look at the three most deserving candidates for each team. Obviously, some teams will have more or less than three players selected to the Pro Bowl, but for simplicity purposes, we will discuss the top three either way.
Top Mid-Season Chargers Pro Bowl Candidates
PHILIP RIVERS
A five-time Pro Bowler, Rivers has put the San Diego Chargers offense on his back this season. Rivers has already thrown for 2,753 yards which accounts for 81 percent of the Chargers total offense. Rivers is essentially offensive-coordinating on the field having the option to put receivers in motion, change formation, or audible to another play. The control he has of the offense and the ball has put him on pace for an incredible season: he’s projected to break both the record for completions with 486 (Drew Brees had 468 in 2011), and yardage with 5,506 (Peyton Manning had 5,477 in 2013). Unfortunately for Rivers and the Chargers these records are impressive, but are empty calories as San Diego has a 2-6 record and will likely miss the playoffs.
KEENAN ALLEN
Prior to his injury this weekend, Keenan Allen was destined for the Pro Bowl. In his 8 games Allen had 67 receptions and 725 yards, easily putting him on pace for 100+ catches and his second 1,000-yard season. Unfortunately for Allen, he was hospitalized after the game Sunday against Baltimore and put on injured reserve Tuesday with a lacerated kidney. Allen was Rivers’ security blanket this year, receiving nearly double the amount of targets (89) than any other player. Rivers is going to miss him, as is the AFC Pro Bowl roster that surely would have had its conference receptions leader on it. It is a shame that Allen’s injury ended his first Pro Bowl calibre season.
ERIC WEDDLE
Eric Weddle leads the team in tackles (43) despite missing two full games. Weddle is a three-time Pro Bowler, and two-time All-Pro, so his inclusion here should be no surprise, despite not quite being himself through eight weeks. In 2012 and 2014 he led all safeties in Pro Football Focus ratings through that time; this year he sits at 30th. He has just one interception and is struggling in run defense, but when healthy has still clearly been the best player on the defense. San Diego doesn’t have many Pro Bowl calibre players this year, but as a perennial candidate Weddle has the talent to turn his middling season around. An appearance in Hawaii would bode well for him in his upcoming free agency this offseason.
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