NFL Network concluded it’s Top 100 countdown on Wednesday night with a bit of a minor surprise at the top – Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.

In a poll voted on by the players, Watt toppled Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers for the top spot. Watt’s victory is the first time a defender finished in first during the four season run of the series.

The honor marked a reversal of fortune for Watt. It was Rodgers who bested the Houston Texan in the league MVP race last January.

The rest of the top 10 broke accordingly:

1. J.J. Watt

2. Aaron Rodgers

3. Tom Brady

4. DeMarco Murray

5. Peyton Manning

6. Calvin Johnson

7. Andrew Luck

8. Antonio Brown

9. Marshawn Lynch

10. Rob Gronkowski

The biggest surprise on the list may be Murray’s rise to into the top five. However, after a blockbuster 2014 campaign, it makes some shred of sense.

Nonetheless, when healthy I’m not sure that anyone was better on the planet than Rodgers. However, a slow finish to the season including the NFC title game collapse probably didn’t help.

Watt, of the 9-7 Texans, stands tall for NFL defenders everywhere.

Unfortunately, Watt’s triumph may go somewhat unnoticed after the world became captivated by the L.A. Clippers essentially holding DeAndre Jordan hostage in his Houston home on Wednesday night.