AFC’s big comeback win over the NFC was the fun Pro Bowl we wanted

It looked like fans and players were having fun, too, despite terrible weather.

It’s hard to get excited about a meaningless Pro Bowl game. But this year’s clash between the AFC and NFC was actually incredibly fun.

The AFC was trailing 20-3 at the half. A furious, fun rally gave them the 24-23 win over the NFC.

Drew Brees looked like a guy who should be starting the Pro Bowl for the NFC. Brees hit five different receivers to go 7-of-9 for 66 yards and a score in the first half. Brees and Jared Goff ended up being the only quarterbacks to not throw any interceptions in this turnover frenzy. There were four picks and two fumbles total, probably due in part to some terribly rainy weather. There were some trick plays, and even a little lateral fun in the second half.

The AFC turned the tide in the second half. Alex Smith narrowed the NFC’s lead to 20-10 when he hit Titans tight end Delanie Walker for a touchdown. The AFC defense picked off Russell Wilson on the next series to get the ball right into Derek Carr’s hands. Carr led a drive that finished with LeSean McCoy in the end zone.

The NFC was able to run down the clock with a nine-play, 5:02-minute drive to preserve a 23-17 lead in the fourth quarter, but handed it back to the AFC after turning it over on downs. The AFC was trailing 23-17 late in the fourth quarter, but scored to take a 24-23 lead with just 1:31 left in the game. The NFC had another shot to get in the end zone, but a Jared Goff fumble was recovered by Von Miller to seal the win for the AFC.

Pro Bowls aren’t typically high-effort affairs. But this one had its share of big plays and a thrilling comeback for the AFC.

Tyreek Hill muffed a punt

The weather didn’t make things easy for players, particularly Tyreek Hill, who muffed a punt, scooped it up, then dropped it again.

Budda Baker took advantage, recovering the ball and running it back for what would have been his first NFL touchdown. Except officials ruled the ball was dead because Hill never actually possessed it.

The NFC took over, but Russell Wilson and company went three-and-out. So no harm, no foul for Hill.

Nobody wanted to stop Harrison Smith on this 79-yard pick-six

Ben Roethlisberger let one fly that was intended for his own top wideout, Antonio Brown. But the Vikings’ Harrison Smith got there first. What happened next was peak Pro Bowl.

Harrison starts to run it back, and he’s got some solid blocking from his NFC teammates. But it’s especially easy because none of the offensive players really want to stop him.

Smith took it 79 yards for a score, which probably wouldn’t have happened in a normal game.

The AFC barely tried to block this kick

The AFC’s attempt to block this kick in the first quarter was laughably Pro Bowl-caliber effort.

Von Miller brought it

Guys don’t usually try all that hard during the Pro Bowl. But we saw some real effort from Miller. This near-sack was especially fun, mainly because of the ball doinking off of another player’s helmet.

Miller also sealed the win by recovering a fumble on the NFC’s last possession.

Miller won the Defensive MVP award for his performance.

AFC has a lateral party after a pick

The best thing about the Pro Bowl is that teams can go wild and try things that would never work in a regular game. That’s what the AFC defense did after a Casey Hayward pick.

Hayward tossed it to Reshad Jones, who flipped to Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey turned it into a 37-yard return.

This Shady McCoy and Antonio Brown celebration was perfect

The Pro Bowl is, and should be, a lighthearted affair. That’s what it looked like when LeSean McCoy and Antonio Brown got together to celebrate McCoy’s 2-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

Everybody had a good time

It was rainy and looked miserable, but that didn’t stop fans or players from enjoying themselves.

This one ended up being much more fun than we expected.