Sunday 27 January 2019 20:23, UK
A whole host of NFL superstars take centre stage on Sunday for the 2019 Pro Bowl! We have picked out six players to watch.
Before we get to Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta on February 3, the NFL's All-Star event - pitting the best players from the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) against each other - takes place this Sunday, live on Sky Sports Arena from 7.45pm.
While there are many more names in action than just the ones listed here, we have tried to pick out three ones to watch out for from each conference...
In his first season as a starting quarterback in the NFL, the 23-year-old became just the third quarterback to throw 50 touchdown passes in a single season - alongside Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Mahomes also led the Chiefs all the way to the AFC Championship game, but they were defeated 37-31 by the New England Patriots in overtime last week.
Alongside throwing for 50 TDs, Mahomes also had the second most passing yards with 5,097 - behind only Ben Roethlisberger (5,129). His season may be over, but there's still a chance for Mahomes to win some silverware of his own as he's one of the favourites to win the NFL's coveted MVP award.
Smith-Schuster is likely to be the marquee receiver in Pittsburgh next year if the Steelers can't rectify their relationship with All-Pro Antonio Brown. After having a solid rookie season, big things were expected of Smith-Schuster this year. He did not disappoint. The 22-year-old hauled in 111 receptions (6th most), for 1,426 yards (5th most) and seven touchdowns (16th most) in the regular season.
JuJu had eight games where he had 100+ receiving yards, including a career best outing against the Denver Broncos in Week 12 where he had 13 catches for 189 yards and a TD.
Speaking of the Broncos; Miller and the Pro Bowl go hand in hand, as the linebacker has made it to seven of the eight held since he was drafted in 2011. Despite the Broncos not having the greatest season - they went 6-10 - Miller had 14.5 sacks, his most in a season since 2012.
In fact, there's only the one injury-ravaged 2013 season where Miller did not record 10 or more sacks since entering the league in 2011. And, the 29-year-old Miller also had his first interception since 2012 and forced four fumbles - three of which he recovered.
Wilson led a Seahawks side that looked destined to fail this season all the way to the playoffs - where they lost to the Dallas Cowboys. He threw for a career best 35 touchdowns this year, and also had just seven interceptions.
For the first time in Wilson's career he didn't rush for a touchdown, thanks to the emergence of Chris Carson, who took the strain off Wilson instead. But he showed his ability to still be productive despite the ball being in his hands less. Among quarterbacks who played all 16 games, Wilson had the least passing attempts (280) and the third-most touchdown passes.
What a season Zeke has had! Without him, it would have been a miracle if the Cowboys made the Playoffs. He led the NFL in rushing yards and attempts with 304 carries for 1,434 yards for six touchdowns. On top of that, Elliott had 77 receptions for 567 yards and three touchdowns in the air.
His bullish-like performance in the NFC Wildcard game against the Seattle Seahawks ensured a first Playoff win for the Cowboys since 2014 as he rushed 26 times for 137 yards and a touchdown.
Barkley had arguably one of the best seasons by a rookie running back in NFL history. He came second in the league for rushing yards (1,307) and scored 11 rushing touchdowns. The 21-year-old also had 721 receiving yards and four touchdowns, making him only the third running back in NFL history to have 2,000 scrimmage yards in their rookie season. He joins Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson and four time All-Pro Eric Dickerson in the illustrious group.
The 21-year-old, who was selected second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft recorded 100+ scrimmage yards in 12 of the 16 games he played in, including a best of 229 in a 34-13 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles.
See the best players in the AFC and NFC battle it out in the Pro Bowl, live on Sky Sports Arena (408) from 7.45pm on Sunday. Then watch Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams live on Sky Sports USA (407) from 10pm on Sunday, February 3.
