Baltimore running back Willis McGahee was named to the Pro Bowl on Wednesday after San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson withdrew because of injury, according to the Associated Press. The selection is his first. "It is an honor and a privilege to be going to the Pro Bowl, especially when your peers have a say in the matter," McGahee told the AP. "It is a goal that I have had for a long time, and I am going to enjoy every second of this. To be going with three other Ravens is also special. They always told me the first Pro Bowl is always the most special. I can't wait to share this with my teammates."

The Associated Press has reported that Steelers' safety Troy Polamalu will skip next month's Pro Bowl because of a knee sprain he suffered as his season came to a close. Antoine Bethea of Indianapolis will replace Polamalu on the AFC roster.

Tampa Bay quarterback Jeff Garcia will replace Green Bay's Brett Favre in next month's Pro Bowl, the Ledger has reported. Favre pulled out of the game due to unspecified reasons.

Broncos' safety John Lynch was named to his ninth Pro Bowl on Tuesday. He was selected to replace the Colts' Bob Sanders, who will miss the game due to injury. Lynch is still considering retirement, and a decision is likely to be made soon.

Finalists for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award were announced on Sunday and they include Hines Ward, Jason Taylor, Jason Witten and Brian Waters. The winner will be announced at the Super Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., on Feb. 3. The award named for Hall of Famer Walter Payton is the only league award that recognizes community involvement and service, as well as on-field performance.

Tony Romo can go wherever he wants with Jessica Simpson now. Eli Manning and the New York Giants knocked him and the Dallas Cowboys into the offseason Sunday. Having to wait out long, slow drives by Dallas, Manning made his few chances count, throwing two touchdown passes to Amani Toomer and getting a 1-yard touchdown run from Brandon Jacobs for a 21-17 victory that put New York into the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 2000 season. "I won't get tired of hearing that this week," Manning said. "No one's given us much credit and probably still won't. But that's OK. We like it that way." Manning is heading to his first NFC championship game at Green Bay next Sunday. Manning had a much better day than his brother Peyton whose Indianapolis Colts were stunned by the San Diego Chargers. "I know he was watching and rooting for me," said Eli, who was 12-of-18 for 163 yards.

Brett Favre became the second quarterback to pass for more than 5,000 yards in the postseason, joining Joe Montana in Green Bay's 42-20 NFC divisional playoff win Saturday against Seattle. Favre, who earlier this season established the marks for career wins as a starter (161), touchdown passes (442), interceptions (288,) and yards passing (61,655) surpassed 5,000 yards on an 11-yard completion to Greg Jennings in the second quarter. Favre, in his 21st postseason game, came in with 4,902 yards passing. Earlier in the game, he surpassed John Elway (4,964) on the list.

Players entering their 10th season, coming off a major injury, and in the midst of a position change rarely make an impact. But Greg Ellis managed to do so for the Dallas Cowboys at outside linebacker, and on Saturday was voted The Associated Press 2007 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Ellis went from non-factor in Dallas to a Pro Bowler in his new position after spending most of his career as a defensive end. He had 12? sacks, forming a dynamic pass-rushing force with All-Pro linebacker DeMarcus Ware. "It's been great," Ellis said. "I thank God for blessing me, letting me get out there and have a good support group, starting from the doctors. We have good people here; the coaches have done a good job working me back into it. They've been telling me, 'You're fine, you're fine.' It was just getting the confidence to get out there and do it."

LaDainian Tomlinson and Randy Moss were unanimous selections to The Associated Press 2007 NFL All-Pro Team on Wednesday. So was Tom Brady -- sort of. The league's Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year was chosen on each of the ballots from 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. One voter, however, split the vote for quarterback between Brady and Green Bay's Brett Favre. Still, Brady was a runaway choice at the position and was joined by four other unbeaten Patriots on the squad: Moss, tackle Matt Light, cornerback Asante Samuel, and outside linebacker Mike Vrabel. All but Moss made the All-Pro Team for the first time; Moss was chosen as a Minnesota Viking in 1998, 2000 and 2003.

Bob Sanders' impact on the vastly improved Indianapolis defense, not to mention his impact on opposing ball carriers, earned the Colts' safety The Associated Press 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award Monday. Sanders makes highlight films with his smash-mouth style and knack for always being near the ball. His value as a leader -- the Peyton Manning of the Colts' defense, if you will -- was just as much a factor in Indianapolis having the third-ranked unit in the NFL and allowing just 262 points, a league low. Yes, these Colts can play dominating defense, and Sanders is the main reason. "One of the things we talked about when he first got here was how critical this position is in this defense," said Coach Tony Dungy, who has nicknamed Sanders "The Eraser."