The NFL unveiled its revamped Pro Bowl games over the weekend, culminating with Sunday’s series of events.
This included mini-games like a “Move the Chains” event which involved players pulling a 2000-pound sled, a “Best Catch” event which pitted Detroit Lions catcher Amon-Ra St. Brown against Buffalo catcher Bills Stefon Diggs, a “Gridiron Gauntlet” was like an obstacle course, and three flag football matches.
The event was redesigned to avoid potential contact and injury hazards associated with exhibition play from previous versions of the Pro Bowl. Still, the revamped event was uneven at best, with some of the minigames like “Best Catch” lacking structure and energy.
The NFC ended up prevailing, winning the event by a combined score of 35-33.
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Here are the winners and losers of the revamped Pro Bowl games.
WINNERS
Tyler Huntley
To be clear, statistics in flag football format mean nothing. But no player had more to gain than Baltimore Ravens passer Tyler Huntley, who supported the Pro Bowl despite two touchdown passes this season. Huntley, 24, just completed his third season and is expected to become a restricted free agent. Baltimore is navigating the contract situation with star quarterback Lamar Jackson, so any time Huntley has a chance to show his worth, it’s an opportunity.
He completed 15 of 20 passes for 192 yards with four touchdowns.
Peyton Manning is fearless
If the pitchman goes down the drain, or if his broadcast company Omaha Productions stops satisfying him, or if his role on ESPN’s popular “Manningcast” comes to an end, it’s clear that Peyton Manning can move into coaching — if it’s something he would want. Sure, the stakes were low, but Manning still went all-in at the Pro Bowl Games, introducing games with the same language he’d used since his days with the Colts.
He even argued with the officials over the rules in the second half of the first flag football game and at the very end of game three, when the loss cost the AFC the eventual Pro Bowl Games.
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Little brothers have bragging rights
Dallas Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs, representing the NFC, lined up against his older brother, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who represented the AFC. They spoke throughout the Pro Bowl Games. But in a match-fixing play in the second flag football match, it was young Diggs who got the better of the other, intercepting his older brother’s attempted pass.
That also brings us to NFC Coach Eli Manning, Peyton’s younger brother, who also got to savor the victory over his older brother.
LOSERS
It’s not (yet) that
Give the NFL credit for trying new things. The old format of the Pro Bowl, a real game in which defense became optional as players wanted to avoid blows and injuries, was broken. This, however, was not necessarily better. The many events created a disjointed viewing experience and made the rating system a bit cluttered. Worse still, many events were not entertaining.
The players themselves seemed to be enjoying the experience and having fun – which showed on the shows – but that alone didn’t translate into a compelling product. It’s incredibly difficult to raise the stakes in events like these. While the NFL offers monetary compensation for attendance and for the winning team, the league should consider significantly increasing the payday so some of the league’s biggest names don’t skip the event. Otherwise, the outcome is what happened: it was just a forgettable event that often felt forced and sterile. Simply put, it doesn’t offer much value (if any) for NFL fans.
Actual format did not work
That said, there was something the league could work with. The concept of flag football has potential and was in fact the strength of the lineup. The players were helmetless so their facial expressions and smiles could be seen. The open mics created some interesting moments when there were practice and tactical conversations. There just weren’t enough.
The NFL should drop all the rest of the events (or bring back classics) and better incentivize rewards to ensure the best of the game comes along; winning players each win $84,000, while the losing team wins half. But above all, the stars who don’t play in the Super Bowl must be present. No offense to the quarterbacks who did, but having Tyler Huntley, Trevor Lawrence and Derek Carr represent the AFC and Geno Smith, Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins represent the NFC was never going to move the needle. .
Myles Garret
Cleveland Browns second-team All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett has reportedly suffered a dislocated toe while competing at the Pro Bowl Games. The injury is minor and shouldn’t affect his availability in the off-season training schedule, but it’s just a reminder that there’s always a risk every time athletes compete.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2023 Pro Bowl Games winners, losers: Peyton Manning goes all-in
