Ravens tight finish Mark Andrews completed his profession 12 months in fashion Sunday as he caught 5 passes for 82 yards and a pair of first-half touchdowns to assist lead the AFC to a 41-35 victory over the NFC within the return of the Professional Bowl in Las Vegas.
Nevertheless it was the quarterback who threw Andrews these scores — Los Angeles Chargers’ second-year quarterback Justin Herbert — who took dwelling offensive MVP honors. Maxx Crosby of the hometown Raiders was the defensive MVP.
“I feel it’s an incredible alternative to return out right here and play a number of the finest soccer gamers this sport has to supply,” Herbert mentioned. “What a possibility to study extra about their sport, perceive them, get to know them and simply have some enjoyable.”
Mac Jones handed for 112 yards and threw a landing move, and the New England rookie additionally did a memorable rendition of the Griddy within the first Las Vegas version of the NFL’s annual All-Star sport, again from a one-year hiatus attributable to the coronavirus pandemic.
Herbert gained the offensive MVP award after passing for 98 yards and discovering the Baltimore tight finish for 2 touchdowns within the first half of the Chargers star’s first Professional Bowl look.
Crosby gained the defensive MVP award with two sacks, three batted passes and three tackles for loss in a pleasingly sloppy sport that includes seven interceptions, with a minimum of one thrown by every of the six quarterbacks.
“I didn’t wish to injure or harm anyone, however I nonetheless wished to have some enjoyable and work on my sport,” Crosby mentioned. “It doesn't matter what it's, we’re nonetheless in full pads and wish to have just a little little bit of enjoyable.”
The AFC has gained 5 consecutive Professional Bowls because the league returned to a convention format within the 2016-17 season. Its gamers took dwelling $80,000 apiece from Vegas, whereas the NFC bought $40,000.
Kyler Murray handed for 160 yards and three touchdowns for the NFC. The Arizona star made it shut when he hit Minnesota’s Dalvin Prepare dinner for a TD with 2:36 to play, trimming the AFC’s result in six factors.
Jones then bought stopped on a scramble within the waning minutes, however stored working about 55 extra yards to the top zone and celebrated alone with the Griddy, pioneered by Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson. After studying his celebration was untimely, Jones hit Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris for a primary down on the following play to permit the AFC to expire the clock.
The Professional Bowl moved to Las Vegas for the primary time after a four-year run in Orlando, and a less-than-capacity crowd at Allegiant Stadium principally cheered for the Raiders and booed their AFC West rivals. In any other case there was a decidedly mellow vibe on the sphere from the second Leonard returned an interception 45 rambling yards for a TD.
Each groups handled the Professional Bowl with all of the seriousness it deserves: Tackling to the bottom was uncommon whereas each groups successfully performed two-hand contact, and neither protection put up greater than a perfunctory move rush.
The casual guidelines to forestall extreme violence had been additionally fairly versatile: Tampa Bay’s Antoine Winfield returned an interception 63 yards for a rating to finish the primary quarter, however solely after working via a reasonably clear two-hand contact from Las Vegas’ Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow bought the day’s largest single cheer when he made a tip-toe TD seize at the back of the top zone.
CAN’T KICK IT
In one other try at violence-reducing innovation, the Professional Bowl was performed with no kickoffs. The sport began with the NFC offense by itself 15 within the so-called “spot and select” methodology of eliminating harmful kickoffs from soccer. The winner of the opening coin toss has the choice to decide on the place to identify the ball on the sphere or whether or not to start out the sport with the ball.
Neither Professional Bowl punter bought to play, both. AFC coach Mike Vrabel instructed Las Vegas’ AJ Cole earlier within the week that the crew wouldn’t be punting — so Cole mentioned he ate two sizzling canines at halftime.
“I’m simply right here for ethical assist, mainly,” Cole mentioned. “Simply passing out water and high-fives.”
WISH I WAS A BALLER
Tampa Bay’s Mike Evans went up and over the Raiders’ Denzel Perryman for a 19-yard TD catch within the first half. Perryman then went into the locker room at halftime and tweeted: “Lol i do know i do know, provided that i used to be taller.”
BROTHERS GOTTA HUG
Buffalo receiver Stefon Diggs bought to go towards his little brother, Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs, for the primary time as professionals. Stefon even switched to defensive again when Trevon got here in as a receiver for the NFC within the first half, and Stefon bought credit score for a move breakup ultimately zone after a great little bit of hand-fighting between the brothers.
Stefon known as checkmate when he juked Trevon to the bottom on the purpose line on a TD run within the third quarter.
AMERICA’S PLAYGROUND
The celebs appeared to get pleasure from Vegas, even when many didn’t hit the casinos. New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan spent the week at varied sights together with his spouse and kids.
“It’s been a setup that, with some tweaking, may be phenomenal,” the seven-time Professional Bowl choice mentioned. “Sensational, even.”
The Professional Bowl can be adopted to Vegas by the NFL draft in April. Tremendous Bowl 58 can be right here Feb. 11, 2024.
THE ABSENT GOAT
Tom Brady ended his NFL profession by not taking part within the closing 13 Professional Bowls for which he was chosen, together with this season. The seven-time champion quarterback hasn’t performed in a Professional Bowl since 2005.