METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints had a whopping six players named to the Pro Bowl on Tuesday night -- including the history-making running back duo of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, who became the first running backs to make the Pro Bowl from the same team in at least 42 years.
What a difference a 10-4 record makes. The Saints got shut out of the initial Pro Bowl selections in both 2015 and 2016, when they finished 7-9 both years.
Quarterback Drew Brees was selected for the 11th time. Defensive end Cameron Jordan was selected for the third time. And rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore and second-year receiver Michael Thomas were selected for the first time.
Here's a look at who was selected (and who wasn't):
Mark Ingram, RB, second Pro Bowl selection: This is the first time that Ingram has been selected to the initial roster, just two days before his 28th birthday. He already has set career highs with 1,045 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, plus another 51 receptions for 375 yards. His 5.1 yards per carry rank third among all NFL running backs (second in the NFC behind Kamara). And all 11 of his TDs have come since Week 6 -- the most in the NFL during that span.
Alvin Kamara, RB, first Pro Bowl selection: The dynamic rookie leads the NFL with 6.6 yards per carry and is tied for second in the NFL with 12 touchdowns. He is just the third rookie in NFL history with more than 600 rushing and receiving yards (652 and 684 to be exact). He and Ingram are on pace to be the first RB duo in NFL history to both surpass 1,500 yards from scrimmage.
Drew Brees, QB, 11th Pro Bowl selection: It has been an interesting statistical season for Brees, who turns 39 next month. He is on pace for his lowest yards per game and touchdown passes in 12 seasons with the Saints (currently 3,850 yards and 21 TD passes). But he is also on pace to break the NFL record for single-season completion percentage for the third time in his career (71.8) and throw the fewest interceptions in his 12 years with the Saints (currently 7). His passer rating of 104.0 is tied with Tom Brady for the second best in the NFL.
Michael Thomas, WR, first Pro Bowl selection: Finally, the Saints have a Pro Bowl receiver in the Brees/Sean Payton era. Thomas accomplished something that past standouts such as Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks didn't by catching 94 passes (third most in the NFL) for 1,085 yards and five touchdowns through 14 weeks. He is only the second player in NFL history with 90-plus catches through two NFL seasons, joining Odell Beckham Jr. And he is on pace to cruise past Jimmy Graham's franchise record of 99 catches in a season.
Cameron Jordan, DE, third Pro Bowl selection: Jordan's well-rounded dominance is finally being recognized. He is the league's highest-rated edge rusher according to Pro Football Focus and should be a candidate for the NFL's defensive player of the year award. Jordan has accomplished his self-proclaimed goal of a triple-double with 10 sacks, 14 tackles for loss and either 11 or 12 pass defenses, depending on the stats service. According to ESPN Stats and Information, only J.J. Watt in 2012 has pulled off that feat since batted passes started being tracked 10 years ago. Jordan also leads the Saints in defensive snaps, playing 92 percent of them.
Marshon Lattimore, CB, first Pro Bowl selection. The 11th pick in the draft has been one of the biggest reasons for New Orleans' remarkable defensive revival (they rank 11th in the NFL in yards allowed, seventh in passing yards allowed). Lattimore is also a PFF darling. He has four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 13 pass defensed and 44 tackles while often shadowing top receivers such as Julio Jones, Cooks, Davante Adams and Robby Anderson.
SNUBS
The entire offensive line: It's hard to believe the Saints didn't land a single offensive lineman in the Pro Bowl since they lead the NFL in yards per game (401.5) and yards per play (6.4) and landed their top quarterback, receiver and two running backs in the Pro Bowl. They have the NFL's No. 4 passing attack and No. 5 rushing attack. Versatile center Max Unger probably deserved a spot after playing every snap following offseason foot surgery. A case could also be made easily for tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk and guards Larry Warford and Andrus Peat.
Safety Kenny Vaccaro, punter Thomas Morstead and special-teams standout Chris Banjo should also be in the Pro Bowl conversation, though it's not surprising that they missed out since their overall statistics don't stand out among the leaders at their positions.