INDIANAPOLIS – After seven Pro Bowlers last year, the Colts have several strong candidates to earn consideration again this season.
There could be several familiar Colts faces earning Pro Bowl honors again in 2015, with this year's game heading back to Hawaii.
Here is a look at some of the Colts candidates with details on the 2016 Pro Bowl and fan voting below:
The Frontrunners
- S-Mike Adams: Despite missing three games this season, Adams still ranks second in the NFL with five interceptions. Adams earned his first Pro Bowl nod last season and has a very good chance at two-for-two nominations in Indianapolis.
- ILB-D'Qwell Jackson: Just like Adams, Jackson was a Pro Bowl selection in 2014, in his first season with the Colts. Jackson leads the NFL in tackles (110 combined) and has also chipped in with impact plays via 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one interception (returned for a touchdown), three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
- P-Pat McAfee: It would be a major snub if McAfee isn't named to a second straight Pro Bowl. McAfee leads the league in punting average (49.1), is second in net punting average (44.2) and second in touchback percentage (88.5).
- K-Adam Vinatieri: The 42-year-old kicker has knocked home 16 straight field goals, 10 of those from at least 40 yards out. A pair of game-winners (Jacksonville, at Atlanta) only enhances Vinatieri's chances for a fourth career Pro Bowl.
Those Who Merit Consideration
- CB-Vontae Davis: The name recognition is there for Davis after being a Pro Bowler last year. To get back to the game, he's likely going to need a couple of interceptions down the stretch (he has two this season).
- RB-Frank Gore: While Gore's numbers have gone down in recent weeks, he could still climb back into consideration with a strong final month. If Gore can crack the 1,000-yard mark (on pace now for around 950 yards), he would be in the conversation for one of the six running backs for Hawaii.
- WR-T.Y. Hilton: Coming off a two-touchdown game last week, Hilton should eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau in the next few weeks (819 yards now). Hilton will have to put together a couple of 100-yard games in December to be a Pro Bowler again in 2015.
- OLB-Robert Mathis: When you break down the numbers and how many snaps Mathis has played in 2015, he definitely warrants consideration. Mathis has 4.0 sacks despite being significantly held back from a rep count for nearly the entire first half of 2015. If Mathis can rack up a couple of multi-sack games down the stretch, his seventh Pro Bowl nod could be coming.
- WR-Donte Moncrief: Just like Hilton, Moncrief is going to need some late season momentum to be one of the eight Pro Bowl wideouts. The wide receiver group is filled with quality candidates so Moncrief might be on the outside looking in. He currently has 54 catches for 584 yards and five touchdowns.
- OT-Joe Reitz: The analytics crew at Pro Football Focus ranks Reitz as the ninth best tackle in 2015. The value Reitz has provided the Colts this season (at both tackle spots) has been Pro Bowl-worthy. However, the tackle position (perhaps more than any) is largely chosen on name recognititon.
Fan voting for the 2016 Pro Bowl will continue online and on web-enabled mobile phones at www.NFL.com/probowl/ballot until Tuesday, December 15. The Pro Bowl players will be announced on Tuesday, December 22 live on NFL Network.
Players will later be assigned to teams through the Pro Bowl Draft, which will air on ESPN2 on Wednesday, January 27.
The 2016 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 31, 2016 and televised live on ESPN from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. Tickets to the 2016 Pro Bowl are on sale through ProBowl.com. Fans may also purchase individual game tickets through Ticketmaster by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets start as low as $30.
Special group ticket packages, including access to gameday and Pro Bowl practice experiences, are also available directly through the NFL. Fans can visit ProBowl.com or call 1-844-4PB-TKTS for more information.
The 2016 Pro Bowl will continue using the revised game format that debuted with the 2014 Pro Bowl, with NFL Legends captains having final say over Pro Bowl Draft decisions. The Pro Bowl will remain "unconferenced," with several key playing rules changed. Players will be selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players and later assigned to Pro Bowl teams via a fantasy football-style draft.
Four leading vote getters – comprised of two offensive and two defensive player captains – will be joined by two NFL.com fantasy football champions to draft players.
The fantasy football champion will have Hall of Fame help. Two Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receivers – MICHAEL IRVIN and JERRY RICE – will serve as NFL Legends captains for the 2016 Pro Bowl.
The Pro Bowl players are determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group's vote counts one-third toward determining the 88 All-Star players who will be eligible for the Pro Bowl Draft.
NFL players and coaches will cast their votes on Friday, December 18. The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams. It was the first professional sports league to offer online all-star voting in 1995.
