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Team Irvin piles up TDs, INTs in Pro Bowl win

By The Sports Xchange
St. Louis Rams' Todd Gurley is tripped up as he runs in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on December 17, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
St. Louis Rams' Todd Gurley is tripped up as he runs in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on December 17, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

Seven different Team Irvin players caught touchdown passes, and their teammates intercepted six passes in a 49-27 win over Team Rice on Sunday in the Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

Team Irvin quarterback Russell Wilson threw three touchdown passes, and Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston each threw two scoring passes, much to the delight of captain and vocal supporter Michael Irvin.

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Irvin, a Hall of Fame receiver, grabbed Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks' signal-caller, with the first pick in the Pro Bowl roster draft and then stacked his team with a bevy of elite pass-catchers and young running backs.

Wilson took full advantage of the weapons at his disposal, throwing touchdown passes to receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons and another to St. Louis Rams rookie running back Todd Gurley in the first half.

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Team Irvin led 28-14 at halftime. Wilson competed eight of 12 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns, and he was selected the game's offensive MVP. His Team Irvin and Seahawks teammate Michael Bennett, who had the game's only sack, was chosen the defensive MVP.

"Obviously it sucks to not be in the Super Bowl," Wilson said during a televised in-game interview, according to the Seattle Times. "But to be here, I'm grateful as can be."

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning started for Team Rice, captained by Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice. Manning and Oakland Raiders quarterback David Carr threw touchdown passes to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the first half.

In typical Pro Bowl-fashion, the game was played at a casual pace with limited hitting. Defense was at a premium, and both offenses moved the ball at their leisure, sometimes in the wrong direction. Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman got a chance to play offense and promptly lost 22 yards on a reverse for Team Irvin in the third quarter.

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Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had two interceptions, including a pick in the second half, while covering New York teammate Odell Beckham Jr. Rodgers-Cromartie's second interception set up a touchdown pass from Winston, Tampa Bay's rookie quarterback, to Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker that put Team Irvin ahead 42-21 late in the third quarter.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee, Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey and Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith had interceptions for opportunistic Team Irvin.

Winston later hooked up with Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins for his second touchdown pass of his Pro Bowl debut. Bridgewater, Minnesota's quarterback, had touchdown passes to Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles and Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson (two catches, 105 yards).

Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin had a short touchdown run, and Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor connected on a touchdown pass to Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry in the fourth quarter.

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Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers kicks off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 7.

NOTES: Oakland Raiders DB Charles Woodson, who has announced his retirement, made his eighth Pro Bowl appearance. He played on offense and defense. ... For the third consecutive year, the Pro Bowl featured mixed rosters with players from both conferences. The rosters were drafted by captains Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin ... A record 133 players were voted in or added as Pro Bowl alternates. ... QBs Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton, Carson Palmer and Aaron Rodgers all elected to skip the Pro Bowl.

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