In a low-scoring game as Pro Bowls go, a team of NFL all-stars captained by Jerry Rice defeated a team led by Deion Sanders 22-21 on Sunday in Honolulu.
Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert’s two-point conversion with 41 seconds left was the game-winner for Team Rice, which had drawn to within 21-20 on Cowboys tailback DeMarco Murray’s 20-yard TD reception.
Eagles quarterback Nick Foles (Team Sanders) earned game offensive MVP honors after throwing for 89 yards and a TD on 7-of-10 passing. Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson was defensive MVP after notching nine tackles for Team Rice, the club said.
Foles’ 12-yard TD pass to Browns tight end Jordan Cameron gave Team Sanders a 21-14 lead with 4:41 left in regulation. However, Team Rice, after a failed drive on offense, forced a three-and-out by Team Sanders, and Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith helped engineer a four-play, 58-yard drive ending in Murray’s TD. Then, Tolbert bowled into the end zone on a fullback dive.
A 67-yard field goal by the Ravens’ Justin Tucker (Team Sanders) fell short in the final seconds.
The 2014 Pro Bowl was played with numerous new rules. Among other changes, the by-conference format was discontinued in favor of captains drafting teams, and kickoffs were eliminated.
This was the first Pro Bowl decided by a mere point since 1983, when the NFC defeated the AFC 20-19. Also, it was the first Pro Bowl since 2006 in which less than a combined 50 points were scored.