One year ago, it was uncertain whether Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson would even suit up in 2012, due to a pair of gruesome injuries.
But now the former is headed for the playoffs, the latter may set the all-time rushing record and both stars have been named Pro Bowl starters.
The NFL announced the rosters last night for its meaningless postseason celebration, with Manning under center for the AFC and Peterson in the backfield for the NFC.
With an asterisk denoting the starters, here is a look at the selected offensive and defensive players for both conferences:
AFC OFFENSE
Quarterback
Peyton Manning, Denver*
Tom Brady, New England
Matt Schaub, Houston
Running back
Arian Foster, Houston*
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City
Ray Rice, Baltimore
Fullback
Vonta Leach, Baltimore*
Wide receiver
A.J. Green, Cincinnati*
Andre Johnson, Houston*
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis
Wes Welker, New England
Tight end
Rob Gronkowski, New England*
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh
Tackle
Joe Thomas, Cleveland*
Duane Brown, Houston*
Ryan Clady, Denver
Guard
Logan Mankins, New England*
Marshal Yanda, Baltimore*
Wade Smith, Houston
Center
Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh*
Chris Myers, Houston
AFC DEFENSE
Defensive end
J.J. Watt, Houston*
Cameron Wake, Miami*
Elvis Dumervil, Denver
Interior linemen
Geno Atkins, Cincinnati*
Vince Wilfork, New England*
Haloti Ngata, Baltimore
Outside linebacker
Von Miller, Denver*
Tamba Hali, Kansas City*
Robert Mathis, Indianapolis
Inside/Middle linebacker
Jerod Mayo, New England*
Derrick Johnson, Kansas City
Cornerback
Champ Bailey, Denver*
Johnathan Joseph, Houston*
Antonio Cromartie, N.Y. Jets
Free safety
Ed Reed, Baltimore*
Strong safety
Eric Berry, Kansas City*
LaRon Landry, N.Y. Jets
AFC SPECIALISTS
Punter
Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City
Kicker
Phil Dawson, Cleveland
Kick returner
Jacoby Jones, Baltimore
Special-teamer
Matthew Slater, New England
NFC OFFENSE
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay*
Matt Ryan, Atlanta
Robert Griffin III, Washington
Running back
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota*
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle
Frank Gore, San Francisco
Fullback
Jerome Felton, Minnesota*
Wide receiver
Calvin Johnson, Detroit*
Brandon Marshall, Chicago*
Julio Jones, Atlanta
Victor Cruz, N.Y. Giants
Tight end
Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta*
Jason Witten, Dallas
Tackle
Joe Staley, San Francisco*
Russell Okung, Seattle*
Trent Williams, Washington
Guard
Mike Iupati, San Francisco*
Jahri Evans, New Orleans*
Chris Snee, N.Y. Giants
Center
Max Unger, Seattle*
Jeff Saturday, Green Bay
NFC DEFENSE
Defensive end
Jason Pierre-Paul, N.Y. Giants*
Julius Peppers, Chicago*
Jared Allen, Minnesota
Interior linemen
Justin Smith, San Francisco*
Henry Melton, Chicago*
Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay
Outside linebacker
Aldon Smith, San Francisco*
DeMarcus Ware, Dallas*
Clay Matthews, Green Bay
Inside/Middle linebacker
Patrick Willis, San Francisco*
NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco
Cornerback
Charles Tillman, Chicago*
Tim Jennings, Chicago*
Patrick Peterson, Arizona
Free safety
Dashon Goldson, San Francisco*
Earl Thomas, Seattle
Strong safety
Donte Whitner, San Francisco*
NFC SPECIALISTS
Punter
Thomas Morstead, New Orleans
Place-kicker
Blair Walsh, Minnesota
Kick returner
Leon Washington, Seattle
Special-teamer
Lorenzo Alexander, Washington