NFC linebacker Demario Davis (56) of the New Orleans Saints reacts after being named defensive player of the game after the 2024 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Nathan Ray Seebeck, Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports photo
By William Espy
The NFL’s 2024 Pro Bowl Games concluded on Sunday with the flag football game. The NFC started with a 12-9 lead due to the results of the prior skill competitions. Despite starting off trailing, the AFC got out to an early lead due to a 45-yard Tyreek Hill touchdown which put them up 15-12.
That lead would be short-lived though, as CeeDee Lamb would put the NFC back in front with a pass from Jalen Hurts. They’d convert on the two-point conversion as well, putting them up by four.
Following two quick touchdowns, the defense took control for a short time as both conferences recorded a big stop, the biggest coming when the NFC was able to keep their opposition out of the end zone on a fourth and goal.
With 47 seconds remaining in the first game, Tua Tagovailoa connected with Ja’Marr Chase to retake the lead. They’d hold that lead heading into the “Move the Chains” event, which the NFC would go on to win and we saw another lead change, as it was now 22-21 in favor of the NFC.
The AFC scored on their first opportunity during their second and took the lead back once again, with Keenan Allen converting on a second and goal pass from CJ Stroud. The NFC tried to bounce back, however on first and goal, Geno Smith threw off target and it went right to defensive back Denzel Ward who picked it off in the end zone, barely getting both feet down before going out of bounds.
Stroud then connected with Chase for the second time of the night, extending the AFC’s lead to 33-22. Amon-ra St. Brown brought his conference back within one possession, although it wouldn’t last long. Allen added a passing touchdown to his resume on a trick play, finding Evan Engram in the end zone. Smith threw his second interception of the night, as Patrick Surtain II got a pick-six to extend the AFC’s lead even further. At half-time, the AFC led 47-36.
The NFC continued to dominate the skills competitions though, after wins in the Gridiron Gauntlet and Best Catch, they clawed themselves back into the fight. They would enter the second half of the flag football game with a 48-47 lead and also had the first possession of the half.
They wouldn’t convert though, but when the AFC got the ball they were able to regain the lead with Allen’s second receiving touchdown of the night, this time from Gardner Minshew. Lamb’s second touchdown of the night would bring Eli Manning’s team back into the lead, 55-53.
They’d hold that lead heading into the final skill competition, the tug of war. The NFC won and received three extra points to take their lead to 58-53 heading into the final quarter.
The AFC started the fourth quarter with a first and goal, which they converted as Allen gave his team the lead once again. They failed to convert on the conversion, and the AFC led by only a single point. Jahmyr Gibbs of the Detroit Lions was able to get the NFC back in the league, then the defense got a stop to make sure it stayed that way.
A scramble by Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield into the end zone on fourth down seemed to put the game away, but a late flag came out and the touchdown didn’t count. Instead, they gave the NFC a first down and another opportunity to put the game out of reach.
They weren’t able to do so and Peyton Manning’s team got the opportunity to pull off a comeback win. It came down to a fourth and goal with ten seconds left on the clock. The pass attempt was incomplete and the NFC and head coach Eli Manning walked away with a 64-59 win.
Although the AFC dominated in the flag football portion of the Pro Bowl, they were unable to overcome their disappointing performance in the skills competitions which handed the NFC the win. Demario Davis of the New Orleans Saints was named Defensive Most Valuable Player while the offensive award went to Baker Mayfield.
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