With most of the Houston Texans' marquee players struggling with injuries throughout the 2011 season, the 10-5 Texans have only two representatives on the AFC's 2012 Pro Bowl team: RB Arian Foster and CB Johnathan Joseph.
Despite starting third-string rookie T.J. Yates in the last four games, Houston's offense has survived thanks to a dominant ground game led by Foster, who has established himself as one of the NFL's elite running backs with his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.
In 13 games, the 6'1 230 RB from Tennessee has rushed for 1,224 yards and 10 TD's on 4.4 yards per carry, all while going up against defenses stacking the box in the wake of injuries to QB Matt Schaub and WR Andre Johnson.
Joseph, meanwhile, has been one of the biggest free agent pick-ups of the shortened 2011 off-season, boosting a Texans defense that had long struggled in the secondary. Houston signed the 5'11 190 CB for 5-years and nearly $50 million after he had spent the first five years of his NFL career in Cincinnati.
In 15 games, the South Carolina product racked up 44 tackles, 15 pass deflections and 4 interceptions while anchoring a back-seven that had to make up for the loss of All-Pro DE Mario Williams to a season-ending injury early in the season.
Reflecting their status as playoff underdogs, the Texans trail the New England Patriots, who had 8 selections, as well as the Baltimore Ravens, with 7, and the Pittsburgh Steelers, with 5.
For the latest news and notes on the Texans, head on over to Battle Red Blog, and check out SBNation for the full 2012 Pro Bowl roster.