ESPN NFL

The AFC West representatives (three of the four teams, at least) for the Madden ’13 cover chase have been announced.

The four players who survived the intra-team play-in round are: Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe, Oakland’s Sebastian Janikowski, San Diego’s Antonio Gates and … Tim Tebow of Denver.

Awkward.

Denver’s representative is a player who is involved in a trade the team is trying to finalize with the New York Jets.

Tebow beat Denver linebacker Von Miller. Bowe beat Kansas City linebacker Derrick Johnson, Janikowski beat Oakland punter Shane Lechler and Gates beat San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers.

The winners are now in the final 32 and they will compete against players on other teams. The results from that round will be announced next Wednesday.

EA Sports and ESPN are partnering for the second straight season to let fans decide on who will be the "Madden NFL 13" cover player.

There are 64 eligible players. In the first round, players from the same team will compete in a play-in round. The competition starts Wednesday as fans can vote on the SportsNation Facebook page. The winners of the play-in round will be announced March 21. The next round’s voting will then begin.

In addition to the SportsNation Facebook page, fans will be able to vote in the play-in round through widgets embedded on blogs, websites and more.

Here are the AFC West play-in round matchups:

Denver: Von Miller vs. Tim Tebow

Kansas City: Dwayne Bowe vs. Derrick Johnson

Oakland: Sebastian Janikowski vs. Shane Lechler

San Diego: Antonio Gates vs. Philip Rivers

There have been several changes to the AFC Pro Bowl team since the team was announced originally last month. Here is an updated list of AFC West players who will be playing in the game Sunday in Honolulu:

DENVER

CB Champ Bailey

LT Ryan Clady

S Brian Dawkins

LB Elvis Dumervil

RB Willis McGahee

LB Von Miller

KANSAS CITY

LB Tamba Hali

LB Derrick Johnson

OAKLAND

LS Jon Condo

K Sebastian Janikowski

P Shane Lechler

DL Richard Seymour

SAN DIEGO

TE Antonio Gates

WR Vincent Jackson

RB Ryan Mathews

QB Philip Rivers

S Eric Weddle

Don’t expect any timing problems for the AFC Pro Bowl team in the kicking game.

This group will have plenty of chemistry.

The Raiders announced that long snapper Jon Condo made the AFC Pro Bowl team. The game will be played in Hawaii on Jan. 29.

Condo was added as a “need” player. Condo will be joined by Oakland punter Shane Lechler and Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski. This is Janikowski's first Pro Bowl and Condo’s second. Condo is very reliable, and Lechler’s and Janikowski’s success is in part sparked by Condo. Condo is a fitting addition to the roster, and it shows what a special group of specialists Oakland has. Congratulations to all of them. They will be joined in Hawaii by Oakland defensive lineman Richard Seymour.

In other AFC West news:

The Arizona Republic is reporting that former Kansas City coach Todd Haley likely will not join the Cardinals’ staff. He has also talked to the Jets this offseason, but he is not expected to join the New York staff, either.

An Insider piece says AFC West receiver Jonathan Baldwin and Jacoby Ford could be in for good things in 2012.

Either Ryan Mathews or Vincent Jackson will be guaranteed a Pro Bowl spot based on the results of the AFC title game.

Two AFC West players made all All-Pro honors.

Kansas City linebacker Derrick Johnson and San Diego safety Eric Weddle were honored by The Associated Press for their performances this season.

Both players were outstanding in 2011. Johnson had 133 tackles and he was a consistent playmaker for the Chiefs. Weddle was tied for the NFL league with seven interceptions and he was always around the ball. Both players have recently signed contract extensions and should be in the AFC West for a long time.

Oakland punter Shane Lechler and Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski were also first-team candidates, yet San Francisco punter Andy Lee and San Francisco kicker David Akers were named to the All-Pro Team.

In other AFC West news:

A big playoff run by Tim Tebow and the Broncos would be shocking, but ESPN Stats & Information shows unlikely playoff success has happened before.

Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones is staying in school so there is one less quarterback available in the draft if Denver tries to replace Tebow in the first round.

The Raiders and Chiefs had trouble with penalties on special teams, while the Chargers committed the fewest penalties on special teams in the NFL. After being awful on special teams last year, the Chargers made good strides this season.

TebowMania lives … in Chicago.

» NFC Pro Bowl: East | West | North | South » AFC Pro Bowl: East | West | North | South

Perfect sense: Kansas City might be in last place, but linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali are top-level players. They both deserve this honor. They are building-block players on a young defense. Johnson is a tackling machine, and Hali, who has 12 sacks, is one of the better pass-rushers in the NFL. Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski made his first Pro Bowl in his 12-year career. It is past due and well deserved. Janikowski, who tied an NFL record with a 63-yard field goal at Denver in Week 1, is a great weapon. Oakland punter Shane Lechler is one of the game’s all-time best punters. He always deserves to go to the Pro Bowl. San Diego safety Eric Weddle is tied for the league lead with seven interceptions. He is earning his $40 million deal he signed this year. Denver linebacker Von Miller also deserves to be a Pro Bowler. He has 11.5 sacks, and he’s been a complete player. The No. 2 overall draft pick has made a bigger impact as a run-stopper and has been a catalyst to a much-improved defense. Kudos to Denver cornerback Champ Bailey, who is still playing at a high level. He is one of five players ever to be named to 11 Pro Bowls and is the only cornerback with 10 or more Pro Bowls. Can you say “first-ballot Hall of Famer”?

Made it on rep: A few AFC West stars made the Pro Bowl in injury-filled years. Oakland defensive tackle Richard Seymour was banged up and had some games in which he didn’t have much effect. Still, he did have some moments of greatness. He blocked two field goals in an Oakland overtime win at Kansas City on Saturday. San Diego tight end Antonio Gates dealt with a lot of injuries this season and didn't take over many games, but he had 59 catches and is still a premier player despite the injuries. Denver defensive end Elvis Dumervil, the first Denver defensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl in nine years, had a great season, but he didn’t enjoy a full season. He has 9.5 sacks, all in the past eight games. He was slowed by injuries early in the season. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers had big yardage numbers (he became the third player in history to throw for more than 4,000 yards in four straight seasons). But he has thrown 19 interceptions and was out of sync for much of the season.

Get robbed: Denver running back Willis McGahee has been the lynchpin to the NFL’s best running offense. A big reason the Tim Tebow offense has worked is because McGahee –- one of the best free-agent signings in the NFL this year -- ran so well. He is enjoying resurgence at the age of 30. McGahee, who has 1,054 yards rushing and has averaged 4.8 yards per carry, is reportedly a first alternate. San Diego running back Ryan Mathews also had a strong season and a case to make the team. He is a second alternate. Kansas City receiver Dwayne Bowe had 75 catches and a nice season. Oakland safety Tyvon Branch and fullback Marcel Reece each had big years, and could have earned spots on the team. Perhaps each player will get his due next season. By the way, Tebow reportedly is a second alternate. Because quarterbacks often bow out, there is a strong chance Tebow will be eating pineapple in Hawaii next month.

Click here for the complete 2012 Pro Bowl roster.

The Pro Bowl teams will be announced Tuesday. Here's a look at some of the candidates for each team in the division:

Denver Broncos:

Players: Champ Bailey (cornerback), Brodrick Bunkley (defensive tackle), Ryan Clady (tackle), Britton Colquitt (punter), Chris Kuper (guard), Willis McGahee (running back), Von Miller (linebacker), Matt Prater (kicker).

Best bets: Bailey, Miller.

Kansas City Chiefs:

Players: Dwayne Bowe (receiver), Brandon Flowers (cornerback), Tamba Hali (linebacker), Derrick Johnson (linebacker), Casey Wiegmann (center).

Best bets: Bowe, Hali, Johnson.

Oakland Raiders:

Players: Tyvon Branch (safety), Michael Bush (running back), Sebastian Janikowski (kicker), Shane Lechler (punter), Marcel Reece (fullback), Richard Seymour (defensive lineman), Kamerion Wimbley (linebacker), Stefen Wisniewski (guard).

Best bets: Janikowski, Lechler, Seymour

San Diego Chargers:

Players: Antwan Barnes (linebacker), Antonio Gates (tight end), Nick Hardwick (center), Vincent Jackson (receiver), Ryan Mathews (running back), Philip Rivers (quarterback), Eric Weddle (safety).

Best bets: Gates, Jackson, Weddle.

The NFL has released the final results of the fan portion of the Pro Bowl voting process. The fan vote makes up a third of the process along with players and coaches votes.

The following is a look at the AFC West players who finished in the top five of the AFC fan vote. Voting ends next week and the team will be announced Dec. 27:

Quarterback

Third place: Tim Tebow, Denver

Running back

Fourth place: Darren McFadden, Oakland

Fifth place: Willis McGahee, Denver

Fullback

Second place: Jacob Hester, San Diego

Third place: Marcel Reece, Oakland

Wide Receiver

Fourth place: Vincent Jackson, San Diego

Tight end

Fourth place: Antonio Gates, San Diego

Defensive end

Third place: Elvis Dumervil, Denver

Defensive tackle

Second place: Richard Seymour, Oakland

Fifth place: Tommy Kelly, Oakland

Outside linebacker

Second place: Von Miller, Denver

Fifth place: Tamba Hali, Kansas City

Cornerback

Third place: Brandon Flowers, Kansas City

Fourth place: Champ Bailey, Denver

Strong safety

Third place: Brian Dawkins, Denver

Fourth place: Tyvon Branch, Oakland

Free safety

Second place: Eric Weddle, San Diego

Kicker

First place: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland

Fourth place: Matt Prater, Denver

Punter

First place: Shane Lechler, Oakland

Second place: Britton Colquitt, Denver

Kick returner

Fourth place: Jacoby Ford, Oakland

Fifth place: Javier Arenas, Kansas City

Special Teamer

Fourth place: Rock Cartwright, Oakland

If a position wasn’t listed, no player in the division was in the top five.

Weekend mail call:

Dan Carlton from Ojai, CA. wants to know if the Chargers will re-sign receiver Vincent Jackson.

Bill Williamson: It all depends on who is running the team. If general manager A.J. Smith is fired, it will be up to a new regime. If Smith sticks around, I think he still may not be convinced to give Jackson a long-term deal. I think the best bet is that Jackson will be given the franchise tag, by whoever is making the decisions in San Diego.

John Q. from Johnstown, Co. wants to know if Denver punter Britton Colquitt has a chance to make the Pro Bowl.

BW: Colquitt is having a fantastic season and he has the look of a punter who will be successful for several years. He had a strong leg and he is a good situational punter. But the truth is, as long as Shane Lechler is punting for the Raiders, no one else should make the Pro Bowl. Still, Colquitt is a real gamer.

Eli from Pasadena, Ca. wants to know if Chargers’ safety Eric Weddle should make the Pro Bowl.

BW: I think he has a shot to make it. He is a ball hawk and he has seven interceptions. I wouldn’t be shocked at all if Weddle made the Pro Bowl.

The NFL has released an update on the fan portion of the Pro Bowl voting process. The fan vote makes up a third of the process along with players and coaches votes.

The following is a look at the AFC West players who are currently in the top five of the AFC fan vote. Voting ends next week and the team will be announced Dec. 27:

Quarterback

Third place: Tim Tebow, Denver

Running back

Fourth place: Darren McFadden, Oakland

Fifth place: Willis McGahee, Denver

Fullback

First place: Jacob Hester, San Diego

Third place: Marcel Reece, Oakland

Wide Receiver

Fourth place: Vincent Jackson, San Diego

Fifth place: Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City

Tight end

Fourth place: Antonio Gates, San Diego

Guard

Fifth place: Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland

Defensive tackle

Second place: Richard Seymour, Oakland

Outside linebacker

Second place: Von Miller, Denver

Fifth place: Tamba Hali

Cornerback

Third place: Brandon Flowers, Kansas City

Fourth place: Champ Bailey, Denver

Strong safety

Third place: Tyvon Branch, Oakland

Fourth place: Brian Dawkins, Denver

Free safety

Second place: Eric Weddle, San Diego

Kicker

First place: Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland

Punter

First place: Shane Lechler, Oakland

Second place: Britton Colquitt, Denver

Kick returner

Fourth place: Jacoby Ford, Oakland

Fifth place: Javier Arenas, Kansas City

Special Teamer

Third place: Rock Cartwright, Oakland

If a position wasn’t listed, no player in the division was in the top five.

Raiders’ rookie receiver Denarius Moore was back at practice Wednesday on a limited basis. He missed the past three games with a foot injury. If he doesn’t suffer a setback, he may be able to play Sunday against Detroit. However, running back Darren McFadden (foot), and receivers Jacoby Ford (foot) and running back Taiwan Jones (hamstring) did not practice. Yet, Ford and Jones were running on the side, so they could be on their way back soon.

McFadden has been out for seven-plus weeks with no signs of him returning. Raiders coach Hue Jackson has maintained McFadden will be back this season, but timing is running out. You have to wonder if we have seen the end of McFadden in 2011.

In other AFC West news:

• In Denver, starting defensive backs Brian Dawkins (neck) and cornerback Andre Goodman (concussion) did not practice Wednesday. Neither player was able to finish the Chicago game. That is not a good sign considering Tom Brady and the Patriots are visiting Denver on Sunday. Also, Denver receiver Eddie Royal was limited in practice after missing the Chicago game with a concussion.
• Here’s the reaction from Brady when told Wednesday he has a 1-5 record against Denver. It is the only team Brady has a losing record against. “1-5? Man, that’s pretty bad. Hopefully we get to 2-5 this week.”
• Four players from the AFC West (one player from each team) were named to the 26-member USA Football All-Fundamentals Team. The four AFC West players are: Denver’s Eric Decker (catching with hands), Kansas City’s Tamba Hali (pass rush), Oakland’s Shane Lechler (punting mechanics) and San Diego’s Eric Weddle safety (footwork in coverage). Former Chiefs executive Carl Peterson and former Chiefs coach Herm Edwards are on the five-person board.
• Oakland quarterback Carson Palmer took a dive on ESPN.com’s quarterback watch.
• Denver linebacker Von Miller remains atop ESPN.com’s Rookie Watch.
• Former Kansas City coach Todd Haley will join ESPN’s Audibles on Thursday night as a guest analyst at 7 p.m. ET. He was fired Monday.
• New Kansas City starting quarterback Kyle Orton indicated he is healthy after injuring his finger two weeks ago. If he doesn’t suffer a setback, Orton will start Sunday against Green Bay.
• Denver quarterback Tim Tebow is third behind Brady and Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger in the fan Pro Bowl vote. The fan voting counts for a third of the voting along with player and coach’s votes. The team will be announced Dec. 27. Meanwhile, ESPN2’s First Take -- hosted by longtime Tebow supporter Skip Bayless -- will broadcast live from Jackson’s Sports Bar in Denver from 10-12 a.m. ET Friday. The public is invited to the free event.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 13:

How Orton can help the Chiefs: New Chiefs quarterback Kyle Orton may begin his Kansas City era Sunday at Chicago. He was claimed by the Chiefs (and the Bears and Cowboys too) last week after he was cut by Denver. He didn’t play in Week 12. While the Chiefs are hoping to get production quickly from Orton, who played in five games with Denver this season, one area in which he might see quick success is on play-action plays. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Orton has completed 70.3 percent of passes thrown during play-action plays, seventh in the NFL. The Chiefs also have been good in this area -- the injured Matt Cassel was 10th. Orton will need some help from an often-unreliable Kansas City receiving crew, however. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Chiefs lead the AFC West with 18 drops. Five receivers are tied for the AFC West lead with four drops each. Three play for Kansas City: Dexter McCluster, Jon Baldwin and Dwayne Bowe. The Chargers’ Mike Tolbert and Denver’s Eddie Royal are the other two players in the division with four drops.

Why Denver is winning: The Broncos, who play at Minnesota on Sunday, are winning the way first-year coach John Fox won in Carolina -- with a strong ground game and a strong defense. In the past four games, all victories, Denver joined the 1971 Miami Dolphins as the only teams in NFL history to have one or fewer turnovers, 60 or fewer points allowed and 876 yards or more yards rushing over such a span. That’s a sign of a team playing complete football. Hat tip to the Broncos’ PR department for providing that stat.

Lechler’s impact: Can Oakland punter Shane Lechler dominate at Miami on Sunday like he did last week against Chicago? He averaged 54.6 gross yards on five punts, including an unforgettable 80-yard punt that neutralized Chicago star return man Devin Hester -- a Raiders team record. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Lechler’s big game against the Bears raised his season gross punting average to 51.47 yards per punt. If he can keep his average at that level for the rest of the season, he'd break Sammy Baugh's record of 51.4 yards per punt, set in 1940.

Turner can’t be outcoached: San Diego coach Norv Turner has virtually has no chance of remaining the team’s coach after this season. The Chargers are 4-7 and have lost six in a row. They are three games behind in the AFC West and the AFC wild-card race. If the Chargers don’t make the playoffs for the second consecutive season, Turner will very likely be fired -- which makes Monday night's game at Jacksonville a must-win. The Jaguars just fired coach Jack Del Rio; defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will take over as interim coach. If Tucker outshines Turner and the Jaguars beat the Chargers, Turner will be completely sunk. Turner has made several decisions in recent games that have been scrutinized. He needs to be on his game Monday if he has any hope of sticking around in San Diego.

Decker goes home: Receiver Eric Decker is going back to his old collegiate field on a hot streak. Decker and the white-hot Denver Broncos -- who have won five of their past six games -- visit the Minnesota Vikings in a game played at the Metrodome. It used to be the home of both the Vikings and the Minnesota Golden Gophers before the latter opened their on-campus stadium. Decker started his college career playing in the dome for the University of Minnesota. He became one of the nation’s best college players on that field, so the 2010 third-round pick and Minnesota native will be completely comfortable playing in front of many friends and family members.

In an honor that should stun no one, Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski was named the AFC special-teams player of the week.

There was no denying Seabass this honor. He kicked a club-record six field goals – four of 40 yards or longer – in Oakland’s 25-20 victory over Chicago on Sunday as the 7-4 Raiders stayed a game up on the Denver Broncos in the AFC West.

Janikowski’s strong performance was an indication that he was finally recovered from a hamstring injury that had been bothering him for weeks. It was also just part of a solid overall day for the Raiders' special teams: Punter Shane Lechler neutralized star Chicago return man Devin Hester with a team-record 80-yard punt. Lechler, too, was a worthy candidate for the award, but there was no way it was not going to Janikowski.

AFC WEST NOTES UDPATE:

The San Diego Union Tribune looks at the Chargers coaching situation and passes along the names of Bill Cowher and Jeff Fisher as potential replacements for Norv Turner. My thoughts? Expect many names to surface for what could be an appealing job

Denver quarterbacks used his arms, legs ... and his words to help the Broncos win at San Diego on Sunday. The Denver Post reported that Denver coach John Fox asked Tebow to address his teammates Saturday night. It is just another indication that Tebow is becoming an invaluable part of the franchise.

The San Diego Chargers’ offensive line issues may continue this weekend.

After guard Kris Dielman was put on the injured reserve with a concussion, fellow guard Louis Vasquez (ankle) and left tackle Marcus McNeill (stinger) didn’t practice Wednesday as the 4-5 Chargers open the practice week to prepare to play at Chicago on Sunday. Dielman’s replacement, Tyronne Green, didn’t practice Wednesday because of a hand injury. Newly signed Tony Moll could start at guard.

In addition to the Chargers problems on the offensive line, other players who didn’t practice Wednesday include receiver Malcom Floyd (hip), defensive tackle Antonio Garay (hip), cornerback Marcus Gilchrist (hamstring) and linebacker Shaun Phillips (foot). Both Phillips and Floyd have been out for several weeks.

The San Diego Union Tribune reports it is not expected that Floyd or McNeill plays Sunday.

In other AFC West news Wednesday evening:

• Former Denver quarterback Jay Cutler doesn’t seem interested in revisiting his rivalry with San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers.
• Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski, punter Shane Lechler and San Diego fullback Jacob Hester are leading their positions in the fan portion of the Pro Bowl voting. Fans account for a third of the voting power.

UPDATED NOTES: Kansas City tackle Branden Albert was reportedly one of the professional athletes who were present early Tuesday morning at a New York nightclub when a fatal shooting occurred.

The San Diego Union Tribune has a projected starting offensive line for the Chargers at Chicago due to three starters being injured. Warring, San Diego fans, it’s not ideal.

Denver quarterback Tim Tebow is opting not to judge some extra-zealous fans.

SAN DIEGO — Notes from early in the second quarter, where the Raiders lead 7-3:

First-year Oakland coach Hue Jackson has earned a reputation as being one of the trickiest coaches in the NFL in the first half of the season. Among the tricks he pulled out was a fake punt in which Shane Lechler hit tight end Kevin Boss for a touchdown Oct. 16 against Cleveland.

Thursday, on fourth-and-1 from inside Chargers territory, Lechler – the Raiders’ emergency quarterback — tried to hit Jacoby Ford, but the pass fell incomplete. San Diego’s Quentin Jammer was all over Ford, but officials ruled that there was no pass interference because there cannot be pass interference on the widest receiver on punt formations.

Oakland running Michael Bush – starting his second consecutive game for the injured Darren McFadden – had a strong first quarter. He had 78 yards on 13 carries as Oakland handled the Chargers’ defense pretty easily.

The Chargers’ red-zone issues bit them again on their first drive. They scooted inside the Raiders’ 20-yard line before making some mistakes and settling for a short Nick Novak field goal.

The Raiders need to shore up their punt defense. Sunday, Denver’s Eddie Royal returned one back for a touchdown. In the first quarter, San Diego rookie Marcus Gilchrist took a lateral from Patrick Crayton and went 40 yards into Oakland territory.

For the second consecutive game, the Chargers are getting booed in their own stadium. There is a solid number of Oakland fans here, although not nearly the amount of Green Bay fans who attended Sunday’s game.

Oakland receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey and tight end Boss played early in the game after barely seeing the field against Denver. Jackson simply said the two were not a big part of that particular game plan.