NFC returns 35-33 in first NFL Pro Bowl games as coach Eli Manning leads his team to a victory and bragging rights over big brother Peyton and the AFC
Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes Sunday to rally the NFC to a 35-33 victory over the AFC in the Pro Bowl Games and end this conference’s five-game losing streak.
Cousins completed 15 of 19 passes for 150 yards in the third and final flag football game of the reformed NFL all-star game, which gave the NFC the win. His AFC counterpart, Derek Carr, was 6 of 12 for 104 yards, two TDs and an interception.
Based on previous pennant games and skill contests, AFC led 21-15 in the final pennant match.
The Pro Bowl changed its format this season, doing away with the traditional game and replacing it with three flag football games played on a 50-yard field and a series of skill contests.
Each of the first two flag games was worth six points and each skill game was worth three. Total points were accumulated to form the standings entering the third and final pennant game.
George Kittle (L) and Cam Jordan celebrate after defeating the AFC during the Pro Bowl
Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings and NFC celebrates after kicking an extra point
Part of the reason for the change is that tackling has become almost non-existent in recent years because players have worried about injuries. However, the Cleveland Browns announced that Myles Garrett dislocated his toe on Sunday, but X-rays were negative.
The announced crowd of 58,331 was more than 2,000 more than last year, which also played at Allegiant Stadium. No site has been announced for next year’s Pro Bowl, but it’s unlikely the NFL wants that event to be played at the same venue just before the Super Bowl, which will be held in Las Vegas.
The AFC, based on Thursday’s four skill games, went 9-3 on Sunday.
The NFC then tied the game by winning the first pennant game 33-27. Facing fourth-and-7, Seattle’s Geno Smith completed a pass to Dallas’ CeeDee Lamb, who eluded Chargers safety Derwin James on a spin move at the 9-yard line and then raced into the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown. yards with a second left.
Smith completed 14 of 16 passes for 239 yards and five touchdowns. AFC’s Tyler Huntley was 15 of 20 for 192 yards and four TDs.
A kicking contest taped Thursday went to the AFC and the NFC won Sunday’s glove hurdle race to make it 12-12 entering the second flag game.
AFC players compete in the Move The Chains event during the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl
Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills and AFC catches a pass for a touchdown against the NFC
Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions participates in the Best Catch event at the Pro Bowl
AFC scored another six points in that game for an 18-12 lead. Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence converted a fourth-and-20 with a 45-yard pass to Buffalo’s Stevon Diggs with 2 minutes left to make it 18-13. Diggs ran out of the end zone to where the photographers were gathered. He grabbed one of the cameras and snapped pictures of his AFC teammates as they posed.
Lawrence was 6 of 11 for 83 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. NFC quarterback Jared Goff completed 5 of 12 passes for 44 yards, a TD and an interception.
Both conferences split the following two skill contests, with the AFC winning the power contest and the NFC taking the best catch finals, making the overall score 21-15.
Kyle Juszczyk of the 49ers makes a pass as AFC middle linebacker Roquan Smith defends Ravens.
NFC head coach Eli Manning holds the trophy with NFC head coach Pete Davidson (R) and assistant coach DeMarcus Ware (L)