Predicting the Minnesota Vikings players named to the Pro Bowl
By Adam Carlson
A good chance
These are the guys that could have a real shot of being named to the Pro Bowl whether it is for their great stats or name recognition on the fan ballot. While they are not locks to make the team, expect them to get quite a few votes.
Stefon Diggs, WR
The Pro Bowl has to do with a lot more than just the performance on the field. Name recognition among fan voting can play a big part in getting an individual into the game. Thankfully for Stefon Diggs, the Minneapolis Miracle is still pretty fresh in the minds of a lot of fans.
In 9 games so far this season, he is at 713 yards on 71 catches and has scored 5 touchdowns. While none of those stats place him among the league leaders, there is still a solid season with that big play under his belt could get him in.
Anthony Barr, LB
Once again, this is a name recognition pick. Remember when Jeff Saturday made the Pro Bowl for the Packers as the backup center just because people remembered his name? Well, Anthony Barr‘s name got pretty famous for when he sacked Aaron Rodgers and the quarterback’s collarbone broke.
Barr has only played in seven games this year and has yet to register a single sack, interception, or fumble recovery, but could still find himself in Orlando, especially if he makes a big impression in Week 12 against Green Bay on Sunday Night Football.
Linval Joseph, DT
The hard part about being a run-stuffing defensive tackle is that your successes don’t often show up on the stat sheet. Still, Linval Joseph is one of the best interior defensive linemen when it comes to that aspect of their game.
Through 9 games, Joseph is statistically not looking great, with 34 combined tackles, four tackles for a loss, and one sack. But his big play on returning a fumble 64 yards for a touchdown and then getting oxygen while wearing shades on the sideline is paints a pretty cool image of the “Big Goon”.