NFL stars as 'Game Of Thrones' characters

In the aftermath of one of the most monumental Game of Thrones episodes in history, we retrieve Needle from its hiding place and take a stab at matching the NFL's biggest stars to their Westerosi counterparts.

Andrew Luck - Daenerys Targaryen

Luck and Danerys are the supposed next rulers of their respective kingdoms, and while they've had some outstanding moments, neither has quite secured their place. Both might not unless they get better help.

Aaron Rodgers - Jon Snow

Rodgers' career was resurrected after a draft-day slide and three years spent on the bench. Now, he's the true "King in the North."

Bill Belichick - Night's King

Belichick is an all-powerful force in the North, who has proven he can bring veteran players back from the dead. No one is really sure how he does it, but one thing is certain - he always wins.

Drew Brees - Tyrion Lannister

Brees and Tyrion have both taught their critics that a lack of size does not preclude them from cerebrally picking apart opposing defenses.

Odell Beckham Jr. - Jaime Lannister

Even with just one hand, Beckham and Lannister are better in their respective fields than their peers - and they know it. Both have a polarizing quality to them; one minute you love them, the next you hate them.

J.J. Watt - Brienne of Tarth

Watt and Brienne are fan favorites, with rare combinations of size and skill.

Tyrann Mathieu - Arya Stark

Starting as fan favorites in Winterfell and LSU, respectively, both Arya and Mathieu fell on hard times before regaining their status as strong characters with something to offer on the battlefield and off it.

Robert Griffin III - Bran Stark

Billed early on as the saviour and future leader, Bran and RG3 were cut down by injuries and left helpless, but a new opportunity could equate to a huge impact, if their powers can be controlled.

Joe Thomas - Hodor

Hodor was destined to die holding the door to protect Bronn. When Thomas was selected by the Browns, he, too, was destined to have his life defined by his protection of a savior/saviors who achieved little under his watch.

Gronk - Bronn

Best known by one-syllable names, both Gronk and Bronn are much smarter than they would have you believe thanks to their party-boy personas.

Joey Bosa - The Mountain

Neither Bosa nor Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane use much of a vocabulary, yet their names and physical statures strike fear in their opponents while younger brothers, Nick and Sandor, might just be able to top their older siblings head to head.

Carson Palmer - Jorah Mormont

Palmer and Jorah are respected veterans, but like the aging, greyscale-afflicted knight, the 36-year-old passer has little time left to make his mark.

Jerry Jones - Tywin Lannister

As two of the most powerful men in their realms, Jones and Tywin share many qualities, including employing family members in key positions and a willingness to work with unsavory characters to win.

Cam Newton - Oberyn Martell

Newton plays with the same passion and charisma that Oberyn brought to Westeros. Unfortunately, Newton was also soundly defeated on the biggest stage.

Jason Witten - Davos Seaworth

Loyal to their cause, Witten and Ser Davos have commanded the respect of peers, both friend and foe, by giving an undeniably complete effort to do what's necessary to help their side win.

Russell Wilson - High Sparrow

Both Wilson and the High Sparrow were written off by those in power, but it didn't take long for them to climb the ladder. Now, they could be the most influential figures in their respective worlds - and are despised by many for what's perceived as a "holier than thou" attitude.

Greg Olsen - Tormund Giantsbane

Are we sure these two aren't actually the same guy?

Adam Schefter - Varys

Nothing gets past the "little birds" of Varys or the sources of Schefter.

Eli Manning - King Tommen

Hard to take seriously as leaders because of their goofy demeanor, both Eli and Tommen will forever be overshadowed by an older brother who may or may not have been more effective at the job.

Johnny Manziel - Joffrey Baratheon

Manziel and Joffrey share in the fact they were both handed a crown they were never worthy of. While the off-duty antics of both were entertaining for a time, neither is sorely missed.