NEW YORK -- Sensational comebacks have Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson headed for the Pro Bowl.
Also selected Wednesday to the NFL's All-Star Game was Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III.
Manning missed all of the 2011 season with neck and back problems that required several operations. He then signed with Denver as a free agent and has led the Broncos to a 10-game winning streak and the AFC West title.
"I know there's great players out there in the NFL, but there's some great players on this team this year that deserve to go," said Manning, who ranks fourth in the league in passing, has thrown 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Four other Broncos made the AFC roster: defensive end Elvis Dumervil, linebacker Von Miller, cornerback Champ Bailey and tackle Ryan Clady.
Minnesota's Peterson tore up his left knee on Christmas Eve last year, underwent major surgery, then was back for the season opener. He's gone from uncertain to unstoppable, running away with the rushing title with a career-high 1,898 yards and lifting the Vikings toward an NFC wild card.
"Coming into the season after going through the rehab process, I just told myself that I wanted to lead my team to a championship and make sure that I contribute and do my part," Peterson said. "I've been doing it."
Griffin is one of three rookie QBs who had superb debut seasons, along with Andrew Luck of Indianapolis and Russell Wilson of Seattle. Luck and Wilson weren't voted to the Pro Bowl by players, coaches and fans, although their teams are in the playoffs. Griffin can get to the postseason if Washington beats Dallas on Sunday.
"You can't play down those kind of things," Griffin said. "I've always said my whole football career that you don't play for awards. They just come. You don't say you're going to win the Heisman. You don't say you're going to win MVP. You go out and you prove it on the field, and if everyone feels that way then they'll give you that award."
San Francisco had the most players selected with nine, including six from its second-ranked defense. Houston was next with eight, six on offense.
Kansas City, despite its 2-13 record that is tied with Jacksonville for worst in the league, had five Pro Bowlers, including RB Jamaal Charles, who like Peterson is coming back from a torn ACL.
One other rookie, Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh, was chosen. Walsh has nine field goals of at least 50 yards, an NFL record.
Another record-setter will be heading to Honolulu for the Jan. 27 Pro Bowl: Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
Johnson broke Jerry Rice's single-season yards receiving record and has 1,892 yards with a game left.
Here are the AFC and NFC rosters. Starters are marked with an asterisk.
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
Place-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