You could make an incredible team out of the players who were injured against the Eagles this season
On Monday, it was reported that Tony Romo would not play against the Eagles in the Week 17 finale. That is a huge break for the Eagles, who are trying to win their first NFC East title since 2010. It is nothing new for this Eagles team, which has avoided having to face star players all season long. In fact, you could put together an extraordinarily decorated team comprised of the players the Eagles missed.
Here's what I came up with:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Packers: 2011 NFL MVP, Super Bowl winner. Best career QB rating, completion %, and TD:INT ratio in the history of the NFL.
Running Back
Adrian Peterson, Vikings: 2012 NFL MVP, 5x Pro Bowler, 5x All Pro, 2x rushing leader, 2,000+ rushing yards in 2012.
DeMarco Murray, Cowboys: Best yards per carry in the NFL (min 150 carries).
Wide Receiver
Randall Cobb, Packers: 80 catches, 954 yards, 8 TD in 2012. Was on pace for 1612 yards from scrimmage through the first 4 weeks in 2013 being being hurt in Week 5.
Mike Williams, Buccaneers: 193 catches, 2731 yards, 23 TDs his first 3 years. By comparison, Williams' reception totals, yardage totals, and TD numbers his first 3 years are all better than Jeremy Maclin's first 3 years.
Tight End
Jermichael Finley: Averages 703 receiving yards in seasons he is able to stay healthy.
Left Tackle
Ryan Clady, Broncos: 3x Pro Bowler, 2x first team All Pro
Left Guard
Carl Nicks, Buccaneers: 2x Pro Bowler, 2x All Pro
Center
Dan Koppen, Broncos: 136 career starts, 2007 Pro Bowl, 2007 All Pro
Right Guard
Chris Snee, Giants: 4x Pro Bowler, 3x All Pro
Right Tackle
Bryan Bulaga, Packers: Former 1st round pick, serviceable starter in the NFL so far, has struggled to stay healthy.
***
DEFENSE
Defensive Ends
Henry Melton, Bears: Technically, Melton is a 4-3 DT, but we'll shoehorn him in as a 3-4 DE. The 6 sacks he had last season don't do his game justice. Highly valuable player that the Bears franchise tagged after 2012 season.
Anthony Spencer, Cowboys: Spencer doesn't fit here perfectly, but again, we'll shoehorn him in. 11 sacks in 2012.
Nose Tackle
Shaun Rogers, Giants: 3x Pro Bowler.
Outside Linebackers
DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys: 7x Pro Bowler, 4x first team All Pro, 2x sack leader, 117 career sacks.
Von Miller, Broncos: 2x Pro Bowler, All Pro, 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year, 30 sacks first 2 NFL seasons.
Inside Linebacker
Sean Lee, Cowboys: Not a decorated player in terms of awards because he struggles to stay heathy, but clearly a great player when he's right. *Lee played against the Eagles earlier this season, but is doubtful to play Week 17, so we'll include him.
Jon Beason, Giants: 3x Pro Bowler, 2x All Pro.
Cornerback
Champ Bailey, Broncos: 12x Pro Bowler (most ever for a CB), 7x All Pro, 52 career INTs.
Charles Tillman, Bears: 2x Pro Bowler, 2012 All Pro, 36 career INTs, and an absurd 42 career forced fumbles.
Safety
Tyvon Branch, Raiders: The Raiders thought enough of Branch to franchise tag him after the 2012 season.
Brandon Meriweather, Redskins: 7 tackles, TFL, 2 PBU, INT vs Eagles in only game vs Eagles in 2012.