As the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers confirmed their places in the Super Bowl on Sunday, other players around the league were getting prepared to receive calls about a trip to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl.
Ten Panthers and four Broncos selected to the Pro Bowl will have their hands full with a much bigger game and must be replaced in the exhibition.
The four Denver Broncos originally selected were: DeMarcus Ware (LB), Chris Harris Jr. (CB), Von Miller (LB) and Aqib Talib (CB). Meanwhile, the Panthers list was a little longer after a 15-1 regular season record.
Carolina's ten Pro Bowlers were: Cam Newton (QB), Mike Tolbert (FB), Trai Turner (OL), Kawann Short (DL), Greg Olsen (TE), Josh Norman (CB), Thomas Davis (LB), Luke Kuechly (LB), Ryan Kalil (C) and Jonathan Stewart (RB).
Luckily for the league, there were plenty of worthy candidates to replace the Super Bowl bound players. Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers was named to replace Von Miller. Peppers, 35, is still performing at a high level and tallied 10.5 sacks this season, moving into ninth all time for career sacks.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had two players selected as offensive lineman Logan Mankins and star linebacker Lavonte David rightfully earned a trip to Hawaii, replacing Trai Turner and DeMarcus Ware. Pass rusher Jurrell Casey and tight end Delanie Walker from the Tennesee Titans were selected as replacements for Kawann Short and Greg Olsen.
Quarterback Cam Newton was replaced by the impressive Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills. Taylor's teammate Eric Wood replaces Ryan Kalil at center. Indianapolis Colts corner Vontae Davis will make the trip to Hawaii instead of Chris Harris Jr. while Baltimore Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil will play in place of Thomas Davis.
The Atlanta Falcons, who had two Pro Bowlers selected already, now have two more as fullback Patrick DiMarco and corner Desmond Trufant will make the trip. DiMarco replaces Mike Tolbert and Trufant is heading to the Pro Bowl in place of either Talib or Norman. Veteran linebacker Derrick Johnson from the Kansas City Chiefs will make his fourth Pro Bowl appearance in place of Luke Kuechly.
The Oakland Raiders will also have their running back in Hawaii with Latavius Murray replacing Jonathan Stewart.
There have been notable drop outs already due to injury or suspension: Calvin Johnson Jr., Brandon Marshall, Aaron Rodgers, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, LeSean McCoy, Marcel Reece, Antonio Brown, Jason Peters, Trent Williams, Mike Pouncey, J.J. Watt, Muhammad Wilkerson, Justin Houston, Darrelle Revis and Tyrann Mathieu.
Those who are injured or suspended were replaced by Amari Cooper, Jarvis Landry, Derek Carr, Eli Manning, Harrison Smith, Mike Adams, Chris Ivory, John Kuhn, Allen Robinson, Branden Albert, Kyle Long, Nick Mangold, Carlos Dunlap, Everson Griffen, Sean Lee, Brent Grimes, Reshad Jones and Jason Verrett.