Linemen: Mack, Penn, Osemele and Hudson honored with inclusion

ALAMEDA >> Four Raiders received nods to the Pro Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 28. Defensive end Khalil Mack, center Rodney Hudson, left guard Kelechi Osemele and left tackle Donald Penn were all chosen.

Osemele was named a starter for the AFC, while

Mack, Hudson and Penn (won’t play due to foot surgery Wednesday) were all named backups.

Oakland has six alternates, players who could fill in if those making the initial roster are injured, play in the Super Bowl or opt out for other reasons. Those

six are quarterback Derek Carr, linebacker NaVorro Bowman, kick returner/ wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, running back Marshawn Lynch, punter Marquette King and right guard Gabe Jackson.

Mack, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, currently ranks

ninth in the league with 10.5 sacks. He’s recorded a sack in each of the last five games, including two against the Cowboys on Sunday night.

Hudson has only allowed one quarterback pressure this season and holds a 99.9 pass-blocking efficiency rating, according to Pro Football Focus. Both rank No. 1 among NFL centers.

Osemele and Penn both make their second straight

Pro Bowl, and Penn makes his third overall. Hudson also made the event last year. The Raiders’ offensive line ranks fourth in the league with only 21 sacks allowed, and they didn’t allow one against Dallas. The line has also helped revitalize Oakland’s run game in the second half of the season, with Lynch finding the end zone five times in the last six games.

Last year the Raiders led the NFL with seven players

selected to the Pro Bowl. Mack, Hudson, Penn, Osemele, Carr, safety Reggie Nelson and wide receiver Amari Cooper all made the initial list. Oakland entered Week 16 with an 11-3 record a year ago.

The Raiders (6-8) next face the Eagles (12-2) on Christmas night in Philadelphia. Oakland isn’t mathematically out of playoff contention yet, but it will take a miracle to make the postseason.