For the second year in a row, the New Orleans Saints got shut out of the Pro Bowl (not counting alternates). They had some worthy candidates, but that is one of the costs of going 6-8. They were one of six teams with zero Pro Bowl selections.

SNUBS

Cameron Jordan, DE: Jordan was absolutely deserving of his third Pro Bowl selection. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the second-best edge rusher in the NFL this year, behind only Khalil Mack. But he had two things working against him -- the Saints’ record and the fact that he has only 6.5 sacks. His strength is his versatility as a pass-rusher and run-defender. He is tied for the NFL lead with 16 tackles for loss and ranks in the top 10 with 21 quarterback hits and five batted passes. PFF also has him ranked second among all 4-3 defensive ends with 68 pressures, and fourth among 4-3 defensive ends with 24 run stops.

QB Drew Brees: Brees would be a no-brainer for his 10th Pro Bowl selection if the Saints had a winning record, but he lost out to three who do (Matt Ryan, Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott). Brees leads the NFL with 326 yards per game and 34 TD passes. He ranks fourth in the league with a passer rating of 103.0. But he had his two worst performances of the year in Weeks 13 and 14, which didn’t help his case.

Others: Fullback John Kuhn had a chance at his fourth Pro Bowl because of his five touchdowns in a limited role. Receivers Brandin Cooks and Michael Thomas are having great years, but they’re stuck behind some super-studs in Julio Jones, Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Evans and Larry Fitzgerald. Center Max Unger is having an excellent year but is also stuck behind standout players on winning teams -- Travis Frederick and Alex Mack.