Aaron Donald, DT, third Pro Bowl selection: The Rams' across-the-board struggles have not done much to dilute Donald's overwhelming greatness. Through 14 games, Donald leads the NFL in quarterback hits (29) and is tied for the lead in tackles for loss (16) while adding seven sacks and four pass deflections. That is uncommon production for a man who operates between the tackles, especially one facing constant double- and triple-teams. Donald was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded player last season, regardless of position, and is PFF's second-highest-graded player so far this season, trailing only Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. Donald is now the first Rams player to make it to three straight Pro Bowls since receiver Torry Holt made five in a row from 2003-07 and the first Rams defensive player to do it since cornerback Jerry Gray made it to four straight from 1986-89.
Johnny Hekker, P, third Pro Bowl selection: Hekker is one of only three Rams punters to even make so much as one Pro Bowl. Two Sundays ago, Hekker tied an NFL single-season record with his 46th punt downed inside the 20-yard line. He shares that honor with former Cardinals punter Dave Zastudil, who reached that mark in 2012. But Zastudil required 112 punts to reach that mark; Hekker got there with his 79th punt attempt and has only one touchback through 14 games. In Week 9, Hekker punted 75 yards. In Week 10, he almost single-handedly won a game with a career-long 78-yard punt against the New York Jets. And with that, he became the first punter in 20 years to record 75-plus-yard punts in back-to-back weeks. Since 2012, Hekker leads the NFL in percentage of punts downed inside the 20-yard line with 56.6.
SNUBS
Kenny Britt, WR: Britt is enjoying a career year in his eighth NFL season, sitting a mere 13 yards away from becoming the Rams' first 1,000-yard receiver since Holt in 2007. Britt's 987 yards rank 12th among wide receivers this season. But the Giants' Odell Beckham Jr., the Buccaneers' Mike Evans, the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald and the Falcons' Julio Jones were all selected ahead of him. Britt, a free agent at season's end, may have an outside chance to make it if other receivers bow out. But running back Todd Gurley and middle linebacker Alec Ogletree were the ones listed as fourth alternates for their respective positions.