The Lead
As we enter the final two-week stretch for Pro Bowl voting, one Bronco is outpacing all the rest at his position.
As of Dec. 1, Kareem Jackson leads all strong safeties in the league with 63,573 votes to send him to the Pro Bowl. With 66 tackles, one interception, one sack and one tackle for loss, Jackson is on pace for a big year — even in his 12th season in the NFL. At this rate, he'll break 100 tackles on the season for the first time in his career.
Fans can continue to log votes for Jackson and their other favorite Broncos until Thursday, Dec. 16 through a variety of channels, including on NFL.com/ProBowlVote, texting BRONCOS to 635635 and, as of Nov. 30, directly on Twitter.
To vote through Twitter, fans must use one of the following formats:
- A player's first and last name and #ProBowlVote
- A hashtag including a player's first and last name and #ProBowl Vote
- Or the player's official Twitter handle and #ProBowlVote
Pro Bowl rosters will be selected based on voting by fans, players and coaches. The teams will be announced during an NFL Network Pro Bowl special on Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. MT. The game will take place at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. MT and be broadcast on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ABC.
Below the Fold
Rookie safety Caden Sterns, a fifth round selection out of the University of Texas, has not only been a big playmaker for the Broncos this season, but his performance has him ranked among the top rookies at his position, according to Pro Football Focus.
Sterns has earned a 67.9 overall grade from PFF, which is fourth among all rookie safeties. Sterns, who earned his first career start in place of an injured Kareem Jackson vs. the Chargers in Week 12, has racked up 16 total tackles, two sacks, five passes defensed and two interceptions so far this season.
Sterns has the highest pass rush grade among all rookie safeties (75.2) and the fourth-highest run defense grade (70.3). He continues to make big plays for the Broncos as part of a rookie defensive group that has paid huge dividends for Denver already.
