NFL: NFC 55, AFC 41

HONOLULU, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Matt Ryan passed for two first-half touchdowns Sunday as the NFC built up a big lead but then had to hang on for a 55-41 win over the AFC in the Pro Bowl.

The Atlanta Falcons' Ryan, who finished 9-of-13 through the air for 118 yards, connected with teammate Tony Gonzalez for a 4-yard TD toss and found Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald on a 25-yard scoring strike in the second quarter.

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall of Washington scored on a 34-yard fumble return while Ovie Mughelli of Atlanta, Minnesota's Adrian Peterson and Steven Jackson of St. Louis all logged rushing TDs in the first half as the NFC racked up a 42-7 advantage.

But the AFC came back with two TD passes each from San Diego's Phillip Rivers and Matt Cassel of Kansas City, making the contest a bit closer in the second half.

Rivers led all passers, completing 17-of-26 attempts for 192 yards, but was intercepted twice, as was Cassel.

Indianapolis's Reggie Wayne made five grabs for 86 yards and a score. Mercedes Lewis and Montell Owens of Jacksonville each added a touchdown catch for the AFC.