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Brooke Pryor
Multiple Authors
SAN FRANCISCO — Defense isn’t just key for winning championships; it also secures victories in Pro Bowls.
In a thrilling conclusion, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. intercepted Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow with just four minutes remaining, sealing the NFC’s comeback triumph over the AFC, 66-52, in the league’s third Pro Bowl flag football game.
When Winfield made his interception, the AFC was trailing by eight and was on the verge of tying the game. Instead, he shifted the momentum back to the NFC, which capped the game off with a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to CeeDee Lamb with 24 seconds to spare.
“My team fought hard; we knew we had to close the gap, and once we did, we secured the win,” said NFC head coach and San Francisco 49ers legend Jerry Rice during the trophy ceremony with ESPN’s Laura Rutledge.
Winfield was awarded the defensive MVP for his pivotal interception, while Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens took home the offensive MVP after catching three passes for 39 yards, including a touchdown.
“It was an awesome experience,” Winfield shared with Rutledge. “Everyone played hard, we worked together, and we accomplished our goal. Shoutout to the NFC.”
Pickens caught the go-ahead touchdown pass from fellow Cowboy Dak Prescott with 6:21 left in the fourth quarter, completing the NFC’s comeback from a 16-point deficit in the second half.
“Playing with all these guys was a blast,” said Pickens. “Like Antoine said, shoutout to the NFC, man.”
Green Bay Packers pass rusher Micah Parsons, who is currently on a motorized scooter as he recovers from ACL surgery, made his way onto the field to celebrate with his NFC and former Cowboys teammate after the touchdown.
He even attempted to join in the action moments later, trying to check in for the conversion while on his scooter at the game’s conclusion. but, he was not permitted to stay on, rolling away as the DJ blasted Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’ Dirty.”
“We were going to utilize Micah for the tush push,” Pickens explained. “We saw him on the scooter, and it would have been a tush roll. The refs weren’t having it, though. That would have been a fun play.”
though the NFC surged to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, the AFC responded with a remarkable 32-0 run—highlighted by two safeties—to seize a 32-14 lead halfway through the second quarter. The two conferences exchanged a flurry of scores in the waning moments before halftime to keep the outcome uncertain.
The game also showcased several first-timers making impactful plays, including a memorable touchdown by Denver Broncos offensive lineman Garett Bolles, who participated in his first Pro Bowl after nine years in the league, scoring on a pass from rookie Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
First-time participant Joe Flacco also stood out by throwing two touchdown passes to his Bengals teammates Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
