Advertisement

2017 Pro Bowl: AFC holds off NFC to win low-scoring affair

By The Sports Xchange
Pro Bowl MVP's Lorenzo Alexander and Travis Kelce. (NFL/Instagram)
Pro Bowl MVP's Lorenzo Alexander and Travis Kelce. (NFL/Instagram)

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. said he had a lot of fun Sunday night.

However, it was the AFC that came away with the win over Beckham and the NFC, thanks to a defense that made big plays all game in the lowest-scoring Pro Bowl since 1998.

Advertisement

Co-Most Valuable Player Lorenzo Alexander of the Buffalo Bills sealed the AFC's 20-13 decision at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., by intercepting a pass from Washington's Kirk Cousins after the NFC reached the AFC 19-yard line in the final 90 seconds.

Cousins' pass over the middle for Seattle's Jimmy Graham went through the Seahawks tight end's hands and settled into Alexander's mitts at the 2. After returning it 20 yards, Alexander lateraled to Denver's Aqib Talib, who lugged it 66 yards before Cousins stripped him at the NFC 12.

Advertisement

However, Talib cradled the ball between his legs and was covered up by two teammates, preventing the Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant from stealing possession as the clock ticked down to a minute. A replay review upheld the officials' ruling, and the AFC took a knee twice to end it.

Despite the result, Beckham starred with six catches for 93 yards, both game-high totals. He turned a short throw from Cousins into a 42-yard gain early in the fourth quarter that set up the first of two field goals by the Detroit Lions' Matt Prater that pulled the NFC within seven points with 4 1/2 minutes left.

"Being able to come out here for another game after the season was over ... I just wanted to have fun. That's what it's all about," Beckham said.

This was the rare Pro Bowl that was about defense, a departure from recent years that saw the teams turn the contest into basketball on grass with one big scoring play after another. The first quarter ended 0-0 for the first time in 10 years.

Alexander made eight tackles, and the NFC logged seven sacks, including three by the Minnesota Vikings' Everson Griffen.

Advertisement

The scoreboard operator finally got to put up some points on the second quarter's first play. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith hit Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker on a 26-yard touchdown pass down the left side. Walker juggled the ball for an instant but was able to secure possession with both feet inbounds.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees tied the score at 7 when he connected with Seattle's Doug Baldwin on a 47-yard scoring strike with 6:26 left in the half.

However, the NFC failed to convert on two chances inside the AFC 5. Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott was stuffed on a fourth-and-goal run at the 1 in the first quarter, and Brees was intercepted in the end zone by Buffalo's Stephon Gilmore.

The AFC took a 14-7 lead to halftime as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton flipped a 23-yard touchdown pass to Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce, who got behind Minnesota's Harrison Smith on a crossing pattern from right to left with 1:40 remaining. Kelce, who caught three passes for 36 yards, shared MVP honors with Alexander.

Advertisement

Baltimore's Justin Tucker converted 38- and 31-yard field goals on the AFC's first two second half-drives, giving the AFC a 20-7 lead with 14:12 left in the game. From there, the AFC was able to hang on as its defense made one final stop in a game in which the teams combined for less than 600 total yards.

"This was an amazing feeling," said Kansas City rookie Tyreek Hill, who ripped off a 38-yard punt return that set up Kelce's touchdown. "Being able to do this was fun, but I wanted to crib one."

NOTES: Among the rule changes for the game: No kickoffs, all possessions automatically began at the 25-yard line, and teams were required to adhere to 4-3 alignments on defense with limits on how many players can rush the passer. ... The game was the last for 20-year NFL side judge Bob Waggoner, a member of Gene Steratore's crew who is retiring. ... Kansas City's Andy Reid, who guided the AFC team, coached in his sixth Pro Bowl, tying Dallas legend Tom Landry atop the all-time list.

Advertisement

Latest Headlines