Written by Zach Bartkus
Orlando, FLA. – The 2019 edition of the NFL’s Annual Pro Bowl kicked off at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Almost a week of events held at Walt Disney Worlds ESPN Wide World of Sports led up to this game including skills challenges, the top high school players from the nation were participating in their own challenges and even a fan experience was included.
The game began with the AFC getting the ball at their 25 yard line. They would drive down the field with starting quarterback from the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes and put the first points of the game on the board. It would come from an 18-yard pass, Mahomes to the Indianapolis Colts Tight End, Eric Ebron. The NFC would get a shot to score on their opening drive but would be denied of that after a 4th & 2 stop by the AFC defense. The AFC would get their rhythm back to end the first quarter and begin the second quarter with another touchdown, this time it was a 1-yard rushing touchdown from the Chiefs Fullback, Anthony Sherman.
The AFC defense did not let lightly to this being the Pro Bowl, they didn’t lay any big hits but they didn’t allow the NFC any room on the offensive side of the ball. They held the NFC to just 44 offensive plays in total and just 148 yards of total offense. With all-stars such as Russell Wilson, Mitchell Trubisky, Saquon Barkley, and Ezekiel Elliott on the NFC offense it’s hard to imagine just 148 yards but the AFC defense held their ground.
Jason Myers would make two field goals to extend the AFC lead up to 20-0 late in the 3rd quarter. The NFC would finally get on the scoresheet with a 20-yard pass from Dallas Cowboys Quarterback, Dak Prescott to Atlanta Falcons Tight End, Austin Hooper. The score would then be 20-7 with 9:05 left in the game. Each teams next drive would end in an interception. Deshaun Watson threw an errant pass that was intercepted by NFC and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver, Mike Evans. Evans turned the play into what could be described as a “backyard football” play. He lateraled the ball to Anthony Barr who fumbled it, it was then recovered by Free Safety Harrison Smith who lateraled the ball to New York Giants Running Back who was also playing defense with Evans on the play and he took it across the field as it ended back in Smith’s hands and went out of bounds at the AFC 39-yard line.
Five plays later, Dak Prescott was intercepted by Xavien Howard at the 18-yard line. The AFC offense would take advantage of another extra possession as Deshaun Watson completed a short pass to Fullback Anthony Sherman who took it an extra 49 yards all the way to the NFC 17-yard line. The drive would be finished off with a 6-yard pass from Watson to Jaguars Defensive Back, Jalen Ramsey.
The game would finish with the AFC winning 26-7 which is the biggest margin of victory in the Pro Bowl game since 2003. Patrick Mahomes would finish the game going 7-14, for 156 yards and throwing a touchdown and winning the offensive MVP award. Jamal Adams would finish the game as the defensive MVP with 2 tackles, an interception and a sack.
