Pro Bowl 2018 Recap: AFC Overcomes 17-Point Deficit To Beat NFC 24-23

The NFC was beating the AFC 20-3 at halftime in Sunday’s Pro Bowl, but the AFC ultimately rallied to win the game 24-23 in Orlando.

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By the third quarter, it was a three-point game. With three minutes remaining in the game, AFC quarterback Derek Carr hit Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry for a first down. An 18-yard pass from Carr to tight end Delanie Walker gave the AFC their first lead of the contest with 91 seconds left.

Broncos linebacker Von Miller ended the game by strip-sacking Los Angles Rams quarterback Jared Goff and recovering the fumble.

Several players also said they believed the quality of play at the Pro Bowl was better this year than in previous seasons. The contest is often dismissed as merely a ratings ploy.

“I think it was because there were so many great fans out there and guys wanted to put on a good show and really get this Pro Bowl up to the standard that we wanted it to be at,” said tight end Jason Witten, who played in his 11th Pro Bowl on Sunday.

According to ESPN, AFC members each received $64,000, while players on the NFC squad received $32,000.

On the NFC side, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson had two interceptions and Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith also notched one.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins believed that Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander set the tone with an especially hard hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle. 

“We’ve only got one speed, and we were just out there playing hard, trying to win,” Alexander said.

Walker and Miller ended up winning MVP honors. Walker finished the day with four catches, 29 yards and two touchdowns.

ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 29: Lorenzo Alexander #57 and Travis Kelce #87 pose with the trophy after the AFC defeated the NFC 20 to 13 during the NFL Pro Bowl at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on January 29, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)