Chargers, Bears rule

NEW YORK – The San Diego Chargers and Chicago Bears lead the NFL in wins – and Pro Bowlers.

The Chargers placed nine players on the AFC squad Tuesday and the Bears had seven on the NFC team, which also includes a quarterback – Dallas’ Tony Romo – who wasn’t a starter when the season began.

San Diego’s contingent includes record-setting running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers, who sat on the bench for his first two seasons behind Drew Brees. The former Chargers quarterback signed as a free agent with New Orleans in the off-season and will start for the NFC.

Also among the players representing the Chargers is linebacker Shawne Merriman, last year’s defensive rookie of the year, who made it despite missing four games for flunking a steroid test.

“I’m very proud of our team and players,” said general manager A.J. Smith of the Chargers, who like the Bears are 12-2. “We have a special group of players.”

Tomlinson is the biggest star of the bunch, having set the single-season records for touchdowns and scoring with two games remaining.

The game will be played in Honolulu on Feb. 10.

Chicago’s representatives demonstrate how the Bears won: with defense and special teams.

Three of the seven Bears, led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, are on defense and three are on special teams – kicker Robbie Gould, specialist Brendan Ayanbadejo and rookie return man Devin Hester, who has shattered records with six returns for touchdowns.

Center Olin Kreutz, a perennial at his position, is the only Bears Pro Bowler on offense.

The NFC team also includes the Barber twins – running back Tiki of the New York Giants and Ronde of Tampa Bay. The first twins to make it together, they become the second set of brothers to make the Pro Bowl for three straight seasons – Shannon and Sterling Sharpe from 1993-95 are the others.