Ever wanted to see the NFL’s best players play dodgeball and water balloon toss? Then the Pro Bowl Skills Contest is what you’re looking for. The inaugural 2023 Pro Bowl Games will include everything from light competition to more intense events. The skills competition will begin on February 2 (7-8:30 p.m. ET) and will continue on February 5 (3 p.m. ET).
The Pro Bowl has also been revamped this year and will now end with a flag football match between NFC and AFC players.
The skills competition will be held at the Las Vegas Raiders headquarters and practice facility (Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center) on Thursday, and at the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium on Sunday.
There are many skill categories that players will participate in and have a cumulative score leading to flag football matches. The conference that wins each skills competition will get three points added to their team’s overall score. A total of 24 points are up for grabs.
Here is an overview of the skill categories, along with explanations of when the competition will take place and who will participate in each event:
How to watch Pro Bowl games
Date: Thursday February 2 and Sunday February 5 | Times: Thursday (7-8:30 p.m. ET), Sunday (3 p.m. ET)
Location: Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center and Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas, Nevada
TV channel: ESP | Streaming: fuboTV (try for free) | Follow: CBS Sports app
Thursday February 2
Pro Bowl Epic Dodgeball: This will be a multi-round tournament featuring four teams of five players. It will start with the conferences’ offenses and defenses and end with a matchup between the AFC and NFC winners of each game.
AFC participants
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
- Nick Chubb, Browns
- Gardner Sauce, Jets
- Myles Garrett, Browns
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
NFC attendees
- Saquon Barkley, Giants
- Dalvin CookVikings
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
- Micah Parsons, Cowboys
- Jalen Ramsey, Rams
lightning tower: This is a new category this year and will feature 16 players selected by each conference in a three-part elimination challenge. In the end, only one will remain standing.
- The first event is a “Lightning Round – Splash Catch”, where pairs from each conference will throw water balloons at each other, as the distance between them increases. Those who catch all of their partner’s throws will advance.
- The second event will be “Lightning Round – High Stakes”, where those advancing will catch punts from a JUGS machine.
- The final event will be the “Lightning Round – Thrill of the Spill”, where the remaining players from each conference will take aim at targets attached to a bucket suspended over the head of an opposing conference’s coach. The first team to throw the bucket on the coach earns three points for the conference.
AFC Participants
- Quinnen Williams, Jets, and Mitch Morse, Bills
- Joel Bitonio, Browns, and Pat Surtain II, Broncos
- Laremy Tunsil, Texans, and Ben Jones, Titans
- Jamal Agnew, Jaguars, and Justin Hardee, Jets
- Bradley Chubb, Dolphins, and Rodger Saffold, Bills
- Matt Milano, Bills, and Jeffrey Simmons, Titans
- Wyatt Teller, Browns and Derrick Henry, Titans
- Dion Dawkins, Bills, and Patrick Ricard, Ravens
- Cam Heyward, Steelers, and Trey Hendrickson, Bengals
- Terron Armstead, Dolphins, and Xavien Howard, Dolphins
NFC attendees
- Frank Ragnow, Lions, and Budda Baker, Cardinals
- Chris Lindstrom, Falcons, and Brian Burns, Panthers
- KaVonte Turpin, Cowboys, and Jeremy Reaves, Commanders
- Penei Sewell, Lions, and Cam Jordan, Saints
- Terry McLaurin, COs, and Fred Warner, 49ers
- Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers, and Demarcus Lawrence, Cowboys
- Talanoa Hufanga, 49ers, and Quandre Diggs, Seahawks
- Dexter Lawrence, Giants, and Zack Martin, Cowboys
- Tyler Biadasz, Cowboys, and Danielle Hunter, Vikings
- Trent Williams, 49ers, and Elgton Jenkins, Packers
Longest route: Four players from each conference will compete in this challenge, seeing who can drive a golf ball the farthest distance from a tee. Participating players will get three swings each and whoever pushes it the farthest inbounds will get three points for their conference.
AFC participants
- Justin Tucker, Ravens
- Jordan Poyer, Bills
- CJ Mosley, Jets
- Davante Adams, Raiders
- Matt Judon, Patriots
NFC attendees
- Jonathan Allen, Commanders
- Tress Way, Commanders
- Daron Payne, Commanders
- TJ HockensonVikings
- Za’Darius Smith, Vikings
precision pass: The three quarterbacks from each conference will face off in a one-minute precision competition. The object is to accumulate points by hitting as many targets as possible, totaling 10 static and moving targets. The targets range from one to five points, as well as a Long Toss Bucket at 60 yards worth 10 points. The QB who finishes with the highest score gets three points for his conference.
AFC participants
- Tyler Huntley, Ravens
- Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
- Derek Carr, Raiders
NFC attendees
- Geno Smith, Seahawks
- Kirk Cousins, Vikings
- Jared Goff, Lions
Better grip (First round): This competition will feature two players from each conference who will show their creativity, inventiveness and talent for catching the ball. Fans will vote online to determine a player’s best take in each conference and whoever gets the most votes will advance to Sunday’s final.
AFC participants
- Pat Surtain II, Broncos
- Stefon Diggs, Bills
NFC attendees
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
- Justin JeffersonVikings
Sunday February 5
Better grip (Final): The best players from each conference will face off in front of celebrity judges. Whoever gets the highest score will be named the winner.
Speakers: To be determined
Grilled Gauntlet: Six players from each conference will compete to earn three points for the team. The four-piece glove will showcase strength, speed, and agility in 40-meter-long segments. There will be breakaways, a climbing competition on the walls and under the tables, a tire race and a blocking sled carrying a trainer across the finish line.
AFC Participants
- Joel Bitonio, Browns
- Myles Garrett, Browns
- Nick Chubb, Browns
- Cam Heyward, Steelers
- Dion Dawkins, Bills
NFC attendees
- Penei Sewell, Lions
- Brian Burns, Panthers
- Saquon Barkley, Giants
- Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers
- Cam Jordan, Saints
Tac Toe Kick: Each team’s kicker, punter and long snapper will compete to complete a three square connecting line or reach five squares in total. The first to complete the challenge will be awarded three points for their conference.
AFC participants
- Kicker: Justin Tucker, Ravens
- Punter: AJ Cole, Raiders
- Long Snapper: Morgan Cox, Titans
NFC attendees
- Kicker: Jason Myers, Seahawks
- Punter: Tress Way, Commanders
- Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola, Vikings
Move the chains: Two teams from each conference will compete side by side, shooting a weighted wall 10 meters as quickly as possible using the first chains. The best of the three in the competition aiming to demonstrate strength, speed and ingenuity will earn three points for their conference.
AFC Team 1
- Quinnen Williams, Jets
- Trey Hendrickson, Bengals
- Laremy Tunsil, Texans
- Terron Armstead, Dolphins
- Jeffrey SimmonsTitans
AFC Team 2
- Maxx Crosby, Raiders
- Rodger Saffold, Bills
- Ben Jones, Titans
- Mitch Morse, Bills
- Wyatt Teller, Browns
NFC team 1
- Jonathan Allen, Commanders
- Frank Ragnow, Lions
- Chris Lindstrom, Falcons
- Trent Williams, 49ers
- Demarcus Lawrence, Cowboys
NFC team 2
- Dexter Lawrence, Giants
- Daron Payne, Commanders
- Zack Martin, Cowboys
- Elgton Jenkins, Packers
- Tyler Biadasz, Cowboys
