Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, January 27, 2019

The 2019 Pro Bowl kicked off in Orlando, Fla., in the midst of a rain shower, 94 percent humidity and a game time temperature of 54 degrees.

Meanwhile, in Honolulu, Hawaii, it was 73 degrees, partial clouds, and 57 percent humidity. The NFL used to play the Pro Bowl in Honolulu, but Commissioner Roger Goddell had the game moved to Orlando for better stadium perks and amenities for himself, his friends, and the league’s owners.

That, and ongoing issues regarding the condition of Aloha Stadium, which needed major renovations and upkeep. Hawaii last hosted the Pro Bowl in 2016, with no guarantee of the game returning, which is unfortunate — it was a major reason for the best players to show up after years of prominent no-shows.

Today’s scene is reminiscent of when the league played the Pro Bowl in Kansas City in 1974. Nonetheless, Suzy Kolber and Lisa Salters had no trouble rocking their rain gear, working the sidelines for ESPN on ABC.

These days, the Pro Bowl has an odd way of starting — there are no kickoffs. Possessions begin at the team’s own 25-yard line. Special teams players are still selected, more as an honor.

As for the game, proudly presented by Verizon, the AFC jumped to a 17-0 halftime lead and eventually prevailed 26-7.

At 11:26 of the first quarter, Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Colts tight end Eric Ebron to open the scoring. The AFC extended its lead in the second quarter on a 1-yard plunge by Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman and Jets’ kicker Jason Myers’ 31-yard field goal.

Myers’ 47-yard field goal at 4:06 of the third quarter put the AFC up 20-0. The NFC found the end zone at 9:05 of the fourth quarter when Dak Prescott of Dallas connected with Atlanta tight end Austin Hooper for a 20-yard scoring play.

The AFC closed out the scoring with 19 seconds remaining, when Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson tossed a 6-yard TD pass to Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Trailing by 19, the AFC went for two and the pass was incomplete.

Mahomes, the offensive most valuable player, completed 7 of 14 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. Tyreek Hill of Kansas City was the AFC’s top rusher with 24 yards on two carries, and the Los Angeles Chargers’ Keenan Allen caught four passes for 95 yards.

NFC leaders: Seattle’s Russell Wilson completed 5 of 8 passes for 68 yards, Ezekiel Elliott of Dallas gained 33 yards on three attempts, and Davante Adams of Green Bay caught two passes for 41 yards.

The New York Jets’ Jamal Adams was the defensive MVP.

This is the final year of a three-year contract to play the Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. As of Jan. 27, the attendance has yet to be announced.