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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 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 on a 10-game winning streak to take the AFC West.

"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 league passing, has thrown 34 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Four other Broncos made the AFC roster: DE Elvis Dumervil, linebacker Von Miller, CB 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.

Around the league

Jets • Backup quarterback Tim Tebow insisted Wednesday that he never asked out of running wildcat plays last week, but acknowledged what he said to coach Rex Ryan may have been misinterpreted as such.

"I never said, 'Hey, I don't do anything or I won't do anything,' " Tebow said.

"That wasn't the talk at all. He knows that, and everybody on this team knows that. I'd never not do something if I was asked, and I think that's what's disappointing about the whole situation, people saying, 'You quit,' or, 'You didn't do this.' It was not it at all.

"It was just me asking to get an opportunity to play the position I love, which is quarterback. It wasn't me asking out of anything."

Cowboys • A grand jury in Texas has formally indicted Dallas nose tackle Josh Brent on one count of intoxication manslaughter.

Brent is charged in connection with a Dec. 8 crash that killed his friend and Cowboys practice squad member Jerry Brown. He is out of jail on $100,000 bond.

Cardinals • Arizona will give Brian Hoyer his first NFL start, less than three weeks after the team claimed him off waivers from Pittsburgh.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Wednesday the former Michigan State quarterback and New England backup will start in the season finale Sunday at San Francisco.

Browns • Cleveland is down to its third-string quarterback. With both Brandon Weeden and Colt McCoy missing practice Wednesday with right shoulder injuries, Thad Lewis took first-team snaps in practice. —

Week 17 schedule

Sunday

• Jacksonville at Tennessee, 11 a.m.

• Carolina at New Orleans, 11 a.m.

• N.Y. Jets at Buffalo, 11 a.m.

• Baltimore at Cincinnati, 11 a.m., Ch. 2

• Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.

• Houston at Indianapolis, 11 a.m.

• Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 11 a.m.

• Chicago at Detroit, 11 a.m.

• Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 11 a.m.

• Oakland at San Diego, 2:25 p.m.

• Arizona at San Francisco, 2:25 p.m.

• St. Louis at Seattle, 2:25 p.m.

• Kansas City at Denver, 2:25 p.m., Ch. 2

• Green Bay at Minnesota, 2:25 p.m.

• Miami at New England, 2:25 p.m.

• Dallas at Washington, 6:20 p.m., Ch. 5