It was his first day back after learning that his career-best 15.5 sacks were not good enough to make the NFC Pro Bowl team.

"Everybody deserved to make it," said Abraham, who rested his thigh and shoulder injuries. "Everybody who made it, made it. They deserved to make it. I just didn't make it, that's all."

Carolina's Julius Peppers, Minnesota's Jared Allen and New York's Justin Tuck were the defensive end selections.

Abraham is the first alternate. He's not sure if he'd accept the invitation if one of the top three backs out of the All-Star game on Feb. 8 in Hawaii.

"I really can't say yeah or nah right now," Abraham said. "I really couldn't say."

The Falcons rotate their defensive line and did not have any nationally televised games, a year after going 4-12 during last year's chaotic season.

Abraham wasn't sure if the lack of television exposure hurt his bid.

"I really can't explain it," Abraham said. "I wouldn't lie to you. I was hoping to make it, but I didn't, so that's all I can do. There wasn't much I could do but play Football, and that's what I did."

Abraham's teammates felt that he should have been selected.

"In my eyes, he's a Pro Bowler, even though he didn't make it," defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said. "I told John congratulations anyway because he's one of the better ends in this league. Better than some of those guys that are going right now."

Tough first half

Cornerback Chris Houston had a rough first half last week against Tampa Bay, defending wide receivers Antonio Bryant and Mark Clayton and giving up a touchdown.

"On the touchdown, that was all me," Houston said.

He had a chance for redemption but dropped a potential interception.

"I'm there this year," Houston said. "Last year, I wasn't as close. I'm getting better, and I'm going to get those."

One Williams out

With Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams out with a shoulder injury, Fred Evans will get the start on Sunday for Minnesota.

"Jimmy Kennedy will get in there, as well as Letroy Guion," Vikings coach Brad Childress said.

Falcons coach Mike Smith said he doesn't think the Vikings will miss Williams. "They've got some very good backups that play," he said.

Elsewhere, the Vikings said Tavaris Jackson will start at quarterback, as he did last week.

NFL Network replay

The 1998 NFC championship game between the Falcons and Vikings will be shown at 9 tonight on NFL Network.

Morten Andersen kicked a 38-yard field goal to give Atlanta a stunning 30-27 victory and send the Falcons to their only Super Bowl.