Tag: Pro Bowl Games

Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels celebrate after the Raiders defeated the New England Patriots 30-24 at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Carr digs at Raiders, helps AFC grab lead at Pro Bowl Games

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Derek Carr had a parting shot for the Las Vegas Raiders as he helped the AFC take a 9-3 lead at the inaugural Pro Bowl Games skills competition on Thursday night in Las Vegas.

The “reimagined” Pro Bowl festivities got underway in prime time with Peyton Manning and Eli Manning captaining the AFC and NFC rosters, respectively. Four events were completed Thursday, each worth three points.

In the first event, “Precision Passing,” three quarterbacks from each conference took aim at targets under a time limit, including one five-point target hanging from a moving drone.

Carr, the last quarterback to take his turn, racked up 31 points to power the AFC to a 71-55 win over the NFC.

ESPN analyst Ryan Clark asked the Raiders veteran if he had ever gotten that hot in Las Vegas before.

“Not that hot,” Carr said. “That’s probably why I’m going somewhere else.”

It was perceived as a dig at the Raiders, the only NFL team he’s ever played for, who benched him with two games left in the 2022 regular season before they had been eliminated from playoff contention. Carr wrote a goodbye letter to Raiders fans in January, with the expectation that he would be released or traded this winter.

The AFC won an event called “Lightning Round” that featured a series of three games primarily for offensive and defensive linemen.

After a water balloon toss whittled the teams down, several for each conference advanced to “High Stakes,” in which the big men tried to field as many punts as they could while holding onto each football they caught.

Two players from each side advanced to the final event: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (who caught four punts), Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio, Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz and New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan.

Hendrickson then won the three points for the AFC in “Thrill of the Spill,” a knockoff dunk tank setup that saw Hendrickson’s lob pass hit a target to dump confetti onto Eli Manning.

Some portions of the event were pre-recorded, including a “Best Catch” contest that showed four participants create high-difficulty catches in landmarks around Las Vegas. Fans will vote on whether Stefon Diggs of the Buffalo Bills or Pat Surtain II of the Denver Broncos will represent the AFC in Sunday’s final, as well as choosing between Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson and Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown for the NFC finalist.

Also pre-recorded was a long-drive contest that helped the AFC take a 9-0 lead. Bills safety Jordan Poyer hit a 320-yard drive on the final swing of the event, surpassing Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson’s 316-yarder to win.

The NFC avoided being blanked for the night by beating the AFC in a dodgeball showdown.

Each conference fielded two teams of six, and the AFC defense defeated the AFC offense in one semifinal while the NFC offense beat the NFC defense in the other. In the finals, the NFC offense cruised to victory, ganging up on the AFC’s last man standing, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The conclusion of the event Sunday afternoon will feature a flag football competition in place of what used to be a full 11-on-11 exhibition.

–Field Level Media

Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) warms up prior to an AFC divisional round game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Pro Bowl: Trevor Lawrence replaces Patrick Mahomes

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was added to the Pro Bowl Games roster Tuesday to replace Super Bowl-bound Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Lawrence joins teammate Jamal Agnew, a wide receiver and return specialist, at this week’s showcase in Las Vegas.

He is the third quarterback to make a Pro Bowl for the Jaguars, joining Mark Brunell (three times) and David Garrard.

Lawrence, 23, and the AFC South champion Jaguars lost to Mahomes and the Chiefs 27-20 in the divisional playoffs on Jan. 21.

The No. 1 overall draft pick in 2021, Lawrence passed for 4,113 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his breakout second season in 2022.

The reinvented Pro Bowl Games, including a flag football contest, will take place from Thursday through Sunday in Las Vegas.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) hands the ball off to Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) in the fourth quarter during an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals during a wild card game at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens QB Tyler Huntley headed to Pro Bowl

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First, he replaced injured Ravens starter Lamar Jackson.

Now Baltimore backup Tyler Huntley is headed to the Pro Bowl Games to replace injured Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

The invitation to Las Vegas completes a whirlwind couple of months for the undrafted third-year player known as “Snoop,” who will celebrate his 25th birthday on Friday.

After Jackson went down with a knee injury in Week 13, Huntley started four of the last five regular season games (2-2 record) and the wild-card playoff loss at Cincinnati on Jan. 15.

Huntley completed 67.0 percent of his passes in the regular season for 658 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, and also rushed for 137 yards and a score. He was 17-of-29 passing for 226 yards, two TDs and one pick in the 24-17 loss to the Bengals.

Allen is dealing with an elbow injury.

The reinvented Pro Bowl Games, including a flag football contest, will take place from Thursday through Sunday in Las Vegas.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) after the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Tua Tagovailoa still in protocol, to miss Pro Bowl

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains in the concussion protocol and will miss next week’s Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas, ESPN reported Friday.

Tagovailoa continues to meet with multiple doctors and specialists and there have been no setbacks regarding his long-term health, per the report.

He made the Pro Bowl roster as a first alternate with both Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes playing in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. One of them will be bound for Super Bowl LVII.

Tagovailoa, 24, entered the protocol on Dec. 26 after suffering a concussion in a Week 16 loss against the Green Bay Packers. He had a previous concussion in Week 4 that caused him to miss two starts.

The third-year QB led the NFL with a 105.5 passer rating in 2022, completing 64.8 percent of his passes for a career-high totals in yards (3,548) and touchdowns (25). He also had eight interceptions in 13 starts.

The Dolphins face a May 1 deadline to exercise the fifth-year option on Tagovailoa’s rookie contract.

Drafted No. 5 overall by Miami in 2020, Tagovailoa has passed for 8,015 yards with 52 TDs and 23 picks in 36 games (34 starts).

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Hurts, 7 other Eagles headline Pro Bowl Games rosters

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The Philadelphia Eagles, who are an NFL-best 13-1, had a league-high eight players selected for the Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas, the replacement for the Pro Bowl contest.

The NFL revealed the complete rosters on Wednesday, with Philadelphia having six players designated as starters.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receiver A.J. Brown, offensive linemen Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson and cornerback Darius Slay were chosen as starters. Philadelphia outside linebacker Haason Reddick and running back Miles Sanders were picked as reserves.

The Dallas Cowboys (10-4) and Kansas City Chiefs (11-3) tied for the next-most selections with seven apiece, followed by the Baltimore Ravens (9-5) and San Francisco 49ers (10-4) with six picks each and the Minnesota Vikings (11-3) with five.

Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is the AFC’s starting quarterback. It is his fifth straight Pro Bowl selection after throwing for 4,496 yards and 35 touchdowns through 14 games, while Hurts (3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns) is the starter for the NFC in his first-ever appearance.

Last year’s Super Bowl participants, the defending champion Los Angeles Rams and the runner-up Cincinnati Bengals, combined for just four choices, with defensive lineman Aaron Donald being the Rams’ only selection.

It is the ninth straight Pro Bowl nod for Donald, who has been limited to 11 appearances and just five sacks for the 4-10 Rams.

In September, the NFL scrapped its traditional Pro Bowl all-star football game in favor of several different, smaller events, headlined by a flag football game on Feb. 5.

Emphasizing flag football is a deliberate step by the NFL.

“We’ve received invaluable feedback from players, teams and fans about re-imagining the Pro Bowl, and as a result, we’re thrilled to use The Pro Bowl Games as a platform to spotlight Flag football as an integral part of the sport’s future while also introducing fun, new forms of competition and entertainment that will bring our players, their families and fans closer than ever before,” NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly said in September.

“Building on the success of the 2022 Pro Bowl and 2022 Draft, as well as our strong partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Las Vegas Raiders, we look forward to bringing The 2023 Pro Bowl Games to the capital of world-class sports and entertainment.”

The Pro Bowl has gone through several changes designed to spark increased interest among viewers and participants. It was introduced in 1951 in Los Angeles, but it became rooted in NFL tradition as a destination game when it was anchored in Hawaii from 1980-2009.

AFC ROSTER

Offense
*Denotes starter

Quarterback (3)

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs*
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Running back (3)

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns*
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Fullback (1)

Patrick Ricard, Baltimore Ravens*

Wide receiver (4)

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins*
Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills*
Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Tight end (2)

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs*
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Offensive tackle (3)

Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans*
Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins*
Orlando Brown, Kansas City Chiefs

Offensive guard (3)

Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns*
Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts*
Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Center (2)

Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs*
Mitch Morse, Buffalo Bills

Defense
*Denotes starter

Defensive end (3)

Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns*
Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders*
Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

Interior linemen (3)

Chris Jones, Kanas City Chiefs*
Quinnen Williams, New York Jets*
Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans

Outside linebacker (3)

Matt Judon, New England Patriots*
Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers*
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Inside/middle linebacker (2)

Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens*
C.J. Mosley, New York Jets

Cornerback (4)

Sauce Gardner, New York Jets*
Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos*
Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore Ravens
Xavien Howard, Miami Dolphins

Free safety (1)

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers*

Strong safety (2)

Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers*
Jordan Poyer, Buffalo Bills

Special teams
*Denotes starter

Long snapper (1)

Morgan Cox, Tennessee Titans*

Punter (1)

Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs*

Placekicker (1)

Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens*

Return specialist (1)

Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens*

Special teamer (1)

Justin Hardee, New York Jets*

NFC ROSTER

Offense
*Denotes starter

Quarterback (3)

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles*
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Running back (3)

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants*
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

Fullback (1)

Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers*

Wide receiver (4)

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings*
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles*
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Tight end (2)

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers*
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

Offensive tackle (3)

Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers*
Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles*
Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Offensive guard (3)

Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys*
Landon Dickerson, Philadelphia Eagles*
Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons

Center (2)

Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles*
Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions

Defense
*Denotes starter

Defensive end (3)

Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers*
Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers*
Demarcus Lawrence, Dallas Cowboys

Interior linemen (3)

Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams*
Jonathan Allen, Washington Commanders*
Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Outside linebacker (3)

Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys*
Za’Darius Smith, Minnesota Vikings*
Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles

Inside/middle linebacker (2)

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers*
Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints

Cornerback (4)

Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles*
Trevon Diggs, Dallas Cowboys*
Tariq Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
Jaire Alexander, Green Bay Packers

Free safety (1)

Quandre Diggs, Seattle Seahawks*

Strong safety (2)

Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals*
Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers

Special teams
*Denotes starter

Long snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola, Minnesota Vikings*

Punter (1)

Tress Way, Washington Commanders*

Placekicker (1)

Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks*

Return specialist (1)

KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys*

Special teamer (1)

Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders*

–Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; AFC defensive end Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders (98) pressures NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings (8) during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

NFL scraps Pro Bowl, adds Pro Bowl Games

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A week-long competition, not including the annual all-star game, as it’s known, is replacing the Pro Bowl.

A multi-year review of the worthiness of the wintertime NFL showcase concluded fans and players alike were tuning out the Pro Bowl despite repeated attempts to alter the format, location and selection process in recent years.

Now comes the first “Pro Bowl Games” in Las Vegas, a showcase that will include a flag football game on Sunday, Feb. 5.

“We’ve received invaluable feedback from players, teams and fans about re-imagining the Pro Bowl, and as a result, we’re thrilled to use The Pro Bowl Games as a platform to spotlight Flag football as an integral part of the sport’s future while also introducing fun, new forms of competition and entertainment that will bring our players, their families and fans closer than ever before,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business and League Events. “Building on the success of the 2022 Pro Bowl and 2022 Draft, as well as our strong partnership with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Las Vegas Raiders, we look forward to bringing The 2023 Pro Bowl Games to the capital of world-class sports and entertainment.”

In 2013, commissioner Roger Goodell said he first informed owners in a group setting that without “improved quality,” the Pro Bowl tackle football game was not valuable to the NFL or its players. And 10 years later, the most radical changes yet are set to be put in place for the showcase.

Peyton Manning would have oversight of some elements of the skills competition and be a member of the flag football game coaching staff.

A full schedule of events will be released later this year, the NFL said in a statement on Monday.

The league said the Pro Bowl games “will maintain fan-favorite moments and events, including fan voting, which will start in the fall and help determine the NFC and AFC team rosters; skills activities, where the NFL’s best players participate in unique competitions; and the East-West Shrine Bowl, where senior collegiate pro prospects have an opportunity to showcase and develop their talents.”

Players to Goodell and multiple franchise owners have been critical of the Pro Bowl for devolving into a passive competition and not truly honoring the 88 players selected for the NFC and AFC teams.

A format change allowing teams to be drafted by legends, such as Deion Sanders, Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin, initially created some fan interest but the gameday elements were not holding up in Goodell’s view, saying “the game itself doesn’t work.”

The Pro Bowl was introduced in 1951 in Los Angeles but became rooted in NFL tradition as a destination game when it anchored in Hawaii from 1980-2009.

–Field Level Media