Precision Passing
Like previous seasons, each conference has players pass into different zones worth different point totals. Derek Carr scored 31 points to win the event for the AFC. I find it funny Carr wins the event for passing in the same place he will be leaving this offseason.
Lightning Round
This was a three part event. Splash catch involves many players from each conference doing a balloon toss. The top 6 players from each conference advance to the next round. High Stakes is where players catch punt from a jug machine. Players continue to hold onto footballs that they catch. 2 players from each conference advance to the final round. Thrill of the spill involves two lineman from both conferences have to hit a target by throwing passes. Once one of them hits the target, one coach from the losing team will be drenched in…confetti. Trey Hendrickson and Joel Bitonio won this part of the event which won the lightning round for the AFC.
Longest Drive
Players from each conference drive a golf ball as far as they can. Jordan Poyer won the event for the AFC with a 320 yard drive.
Dodgeball
Each conference played one round where the offense played the defense. The winners of each round would face each other. The NFC offense defeated the AFC Defense to win the event.
Kick Tac Toe
This is honestly my favorite event. Kickers, Punters, and Long Snappers attempt to win a game of tik tac toe by kicking, punting, and snapping from long distances onto an electronic board. The AFC, led by Morgan Cox, Justin Tucker, and A.J. Cole, won this event over the NFC.
The Gridiron Gauntlet
Like other years, this is a relay race of obstacles. The NFC won this event. The key players in this were Brian Burns and Nick Chubb. Burns faced Myles Garrett in climbing walls and going underneath low obstacles. Burns dominated Garrett. Right after Nick Chubb got a head start in a tire workout stepping in and out of rows of tires. Chubb missed multiple tires and stepped on others which forced him to reset and Saquon Barkley took advantage, ultimately giving the NFC the win.
Move the Chains
This is a 3 round event. 5 players from each conference must pull a 5,000 pound wall 10 yards. There are weights on the other side of the wall which players can choose to pull off as much as they want. Since the teams need to act quick some players need to think if they should pull the wall immediately or pull of the weights and then pull the wall. This led to the AFC dominating the first round by deciding to pull of the weights first. The NFC rallied in the second round with a win, but the AFC became victorious in the entire event with a third round victory.
Best Catch
The NFL’s attempt of a dunk contest. Stefon Diggs faced off against Amon-Ra St. Brown in this best of 3 round event. Snoop Dogg, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Pete Davidson were judges of the competition. Amon-Ra St. Brown won the event for the NFC in two rounds with 85 points in round one and 92 points in round two. Diggs had 74.7 points in round one and 70.7 points in round two.
GAME 1
1st Half
First drive, Tyler Huntley finds Mark Andrews for a touchdown(1-point conversion is unsuccessful). Geno Smith finds George Kittle for a touchdown on the NFC’s first drive(1-point conversion completed to Kyle Juszczyk). Geno Smith finds CeeDee Lambe for a touchdown(1-point conversion unsuccessful). Tyler Huntley finds Mark Andrews for another touchdown(1-point conversion unsuccessful). Geno Smith finds T.J. Hockenson on the first play of the drive for a touchdown(T.J. Hockenson catches the 1-point conversion). Tyler Huntley finds Davante Adams for a crosser and pitches the ball to Tyreek Hill for a touchdown. On the touchdown, Jalen Ramsey accidentally runs into Tyreek Hill as he scores leading to a unnecessary roughness penalty. The penalty allows the AFC to attempt a 2-point conversion where Huntley finds Davante Adams. On the final play of the first half, Geno Smith attempts a pass to the endzone but it is intercepted by Derwin James. NFC and AFC are tied 20 to 20 after one half.
2nd Half
Geno Smith tries to run in a touchdown but it leads to an Illegal rush since you can not run in a certain area of the redzone. A flea flicker between Geno Smith and Kyle Juszczyk leads to a pass thrown right back to Juszczyk for a touchdown(1-point conversion unsuccessful). The ref calls a play dead despite a rush on Huntley leading him to run. Huntley finds Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown(1-point conversion is good to Dawson Knox). It is a this point I am so glad Pat McAfee is calling this game. Geno Smith being blitzed is unable to get the pass off and leads to a penalty. Geno Smith finds CeeDee Lamb for a touchdown with 12 seconds left(penalty called for holding on the defense is declined; Geno Smith finds T.J. Hockenson for the 1-point conversion). NFC Wins Game 1 33-27.
GAME 2
1st Half
Trevor Lawrence throws a pick-6 to Jaire Alexander(1-point conversion unsuccessful). Trevor Lawrence finds Davante Adams for a touchdown(1-point conversion unsuccessful). Derrick Henry runs in a touchdown(1-point conversion unsuccessful). AFC leads at halftime 12-6 over the NFC.
2nd Half
On the first drive, Jared Goff’s pass is intercepted by Pat Surtain II. Tyreek Hill takes the snap and tosses the ball back to Trevor Lawrence who rolls out and tosses the ball back to Stefon Diggs. Stefon Diggs’ pass, intended for Trevor Lawrence, is intercepted by his brother Trevon Diggs. Jared Goff find Dalvin Cook for a touchdown(1-point conversion successfully caught by T.J. Hockenson). On 4th down backed into their endzone, Trevor Lawrence finds Stefon Diggs for a touchdown(the play is not reviewable even though Diggs right foot stepped out of bounds; 2-point conversion is unsuccessful). On 4th down an illegal rush is called on the AFC defense and a stiff arm penalty is called on the NFC offense leading to a replay of down with 31 seconds left. AFC Wins Game 2 18-12.
Overtime/Game 3
This event is a continuation of the score of Game 2.
1st Half
Tyreek Hill comes in to play defense and swats down Kirk Cousins pass to force a turnover on downs. Derek Carr throws an interception to Budda Baker. Kirk Cousins finds Amon-Ra St. Brown for a touchdown(1-point conversion unsuccessful). Derek Carr connects with Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown(1-point conversion unsuccessful). On the final play of the half, Kirk Cousins finds Kyle Juszczyk for a touchdown(Kirk Cousins finds CeeDee Lamb for the successful 1-point conversion). NFC leads at the end of the half 28 to 27.
2nd Half
Kirk Cousins throws a touchdown to George Kittle(1-point conversion successful with a pass to Justin Jefferson). Derek Carr connects with Dawson Knox for a touchdown(1-point conversion unsuccessful). On 4th down with less than a minute left, Kirk Cousins’ pass is thrown incomplete but a holding penalty gives the NFC a first down that would ultimately win them the game. Despite the rules saying you can not run the ball at the 5-yard line, Kirk Cousins kneels the next snap. Peyton Manning argues with the ref that the kneel down goes against the rules but the game ends anyways. NFC wins 35-33 in this Game 3/Overtime.
The NFC wins the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.
Final Observations
While news outlets connected to the Pro Bowl said some players had a fun time, others thought it was moronic. If there is one thing I thoroughly enjoyed it was Kick Tac Toe. An incredibly interesting event which shows just how good some kickers, punters, and long snappers are. Do not change that event. The flag football game itself was poorly organized where coaches, players, and referees were confused about the rules and penalties. I do not think I saw more penalties in the previous Pro Bowl games. Offensive Lineman outside of the Center were not used during the games and neither were the majority of defensive lineman. To top it all off the switch to flag was to prevent injuries and yet Myles Garrett gets a toe injury. Anyone who has watched or played flag football understands you can still get seriously injured in flag football. The switch to flag was telling the big guys and special teamers that they did not deserve screen time and that is not fair to them. The entire Pro Bowl week needs to change. Give players a reason to come. Donating to charities has been done before and it is not affective in brining these players. I do not expect this style of the Pro Bowl to last long. Hopefully this billion dollar company can think of something more creative and they can gladly hire me after college.
Jordan Burden