As reported earlier, Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd made the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl today. He was the only Denver Broncos player to make the initial roster for the AFC team. The other wide receivers named to the AFC Pro Bowl team are the Houston Texans' Andre Johnson, the Indianapolis Colts' Reggie Wayne and the Kansas City Chiefs' Dwayne Bowe. All are well-deserving of their selections.
While the Broncos send only Lloyd to the Pro Bowl (as of now), how did the rest of the AFC West fare? In addition to Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs will send running back Jamaal Charles and guard Brian Waters. This is Waters' fifth time in the Pro Bowl and first since 2008. Charles is making his first appearance.
The San Diego Chargers will send three players as well, led by quarterback Philip Rivers, though the New England Patriots' Tom Brady will be the likely starter. This will be Rivers' third Prow Bowl appearance. Tight end Antonio Gates, who missed five games this season, makes his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl, and guard Kris Dielman has his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl in hand.
The Oakland Raiders will send only defensive players to the Pro Bowl. Defensive tackle Richard Seymour will make his sixth Pro Bowl appearance and first since 2006. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is on his third consecutive Pro Bowl after another strong season. Punter Shane Lechler is on his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl and sixth overall.
This is a strong showing for the AFC West in the Pro Bowl, but also an acknowledgment that that the Broncos had a mostly barren cupboard this season.