2025 Pro Bowl Games results: NFC takes lead over AFC after Thursday Skills Showdown
The NFC has typically dominated the AFC since the Pro Bowl format changed from an actual football game to a series of skills challenges in 2023. The trend continued as the 2025 Pro Bowl Games opened on Thursday.
Eli Manning's NFC squad sports a 14-7 lead over his brother Peyton Manning's AFC squad through six challenges on Thursday. The NFC got off to a hot start, winning the Passing the Test event and the Satisfying Catches contest, before the AFC closed the gap with a narrow Big Spike victory.
The two conferences traded blows as the evening went on, but the AFC still finds itself in the unenviable position of having ground to make up entering Sunday's events.
Here are the results and highlights from Thursday's action:
RANKING ALL 58 SUPER BOWLS:How does first Chiefs-Eagles clash rate?
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Passing the Test: Jared Goff wins for NFC with razor-sharp performance
Goff got the NFC off to a hot start, matching a strong showing from Joe Burrow on the AFC side of the bracket. Goff scored 44 points in the event, which featured quarterbacks from each conference taking aim at targets both moving and stationary to earn points.
The NFC ended up with the top two scores in the contest — Sam Darnold finished with 39 points — and took home three points for its performance.
Satisfying Catches: Justin Jefferson leads NFC to victory despite Ja'Marr Chase's strong showing
Chase was able to make three consecutive one-handed catches to start the receiving gauntlet, but things fell apart for the AFC after his strong stuff. Chase wasted some time after failing to make a diving catch while Derek Stingley Jr. struggled to make catches with the mascot hands during his go-round in the event.
Justin Jefferson and the NFC had set the pace with a 1:57 mark in the events combined, so that stood as the winning time from the second Pro Bowl event.
Big Spike: Quinnen Williams powers AFC to first victory
The "Big Spike" competition was exactly what it sounded like. Three players from each conference got a chance to throw down the hardest possible spike they could. Williams emerged as the winner of the event, posting a 982 to cut the NFC's lead to 6-3.
Dexter Lawrence came close to unseating Williams with a 979, making it one of the closest margins of the evening.
Helmet Harmony: NFC edges AFC in 'Newlywed Game' knock-off
If you ever wondered what it would be like to see you favorite NFL players go on "The Newlywed Game" together, you're in luck. One of the Pro Bowl events this year was all about which teammates knew each other best.
The AFC and NFC traded blows in this one, but ultimately, the Green Bay Packers helped carry their squad to a narrow victory. That made it 9-3 NFC.
Relay Races: NFC beats AFC 2-1 in best-of-three heats
The Relay Race portion of the evening was marred by fumbled exchanges. The first heat was the closest of the bunch, as the AFC's fumble came just before the final leg, but from there, the teams traded blowouts.
The highlight of the relay races came when the Bosa brothers faced one another to open the second race. Rather than sprint against one another, they decided to speedwalk, with Joey Bosa earning the early edge in the contest.
Dodgeball: AFC takes first matchup, NFC answers with win in second
The evening ended with a dodgeball matchup between the two conferences. The AFC earned an easy win in the first contest, as Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams was left stranded in a 1-on-5 situation as the NFC's final hope before being eliminated.
The second game saw the NFC flip the script. This time, Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson was the last man standing. Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith caught a toss from the lefty Nelson to end the AFC's chances of further cutting into their deficit.
The split allowed the NFC to end the night with a 14-7 lead.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NFL insider on Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson's shoulder injury
NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero provided an update on Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who is going to miss minicamp this coming week with a shoulder injury. As Shane Steichen described prior to Thursday's final OTA practice, Richardson experienced shoulder pain the week prior. Upon further evaluation, the testing revealed that the pain was related to the same AC joint that Richardson injured during his rookie season. Advertisement Steichen did not put a timeline on Richardson's return, other than saying they hope to have him back at some point during training camp. But among NFL insiders, the belief seems to be that Richardson will be ready for training camp. On a recent appearance on the 'Rich Eisen Show,' Pelissero provided additional insight regarding Richardson. "They just made the decision, 'hey, we're going to back off him right now,' Pelissero said. "Shane Steichen saying he'll be back sometime in training camp is not really what I want to hear if I'm somebody rooting for Anthony Richardson to beat out Daniel Jones for that job. "Now I was separately told yesterday that he'll 1,000 percent be ready for training camp, but that doesn't necessarily mean the Colts will let him loose. You're going to want to ramp him up after he misses the end of OTAs and minicamp. You're not just going to go out and have him throw 600 balls on the first day of practice. So these are reps that now go to Daniel Jones, and he gets more of an opportunity." Advertisement Pelissero continued: "I know that the coaches in Indianapolis were really excited at the prospect of bringing in Daniel Jones, even though they've got this remarkable ball of clay in Anthony Richardson. It's a ball of clay that's spent so much time in the training room over the past couple of years that it's cost him those reps that he sorely needed as a young player who had only started 13 college games and really hadn't played a ton." In addition to Pelissero's reporting that Richardson will be ready to go for the start of training camp, which for the Colts begins on July 22nd, it's important to note that there may be an easing back in process for him. So even though he's on the practice field on Day 1, it may not mean he's leading the first team offense and alternating reps with Jones. Steichen alluded to that during Thursday's press conference, saying that the team will "ease him back into throwing" once he returns. Once a full-go, Richardson will have the opportunity to compete with Jones for the starting job, but winning it does become more difficult with the time he's missed during OTAs, minicamp, along with potentially being limited early on in training camp, if that is how things play out. With fewer reps overall, Richardson will have to make up for lost time. This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL insider on Colts QB Anthony Richardson's shoulder injury
Newsweek
27 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Why Malik Nabers Is Missing NY Giants' OTAs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. With a new situation under center, the New York Giants hope to bring stability to their passing game. It could do wonders for the emerging superstar, Malik Nabers. The Daniel Jones era ended on a tough note. After 10 games of struggling, the former Duke star was benched before ultimately parting ways with the Giants' organization. The Giants had four quarterbacks under center at one point throughout the 2024 season. Drew Lock attempted 181 passes over eight games. Tommy DeVito threw 44 passes in three games, while Tim Boyle attempted 24 passes. Nabers proved his stardom by producing in any scenario. As a rookie, the first-rounder managed to put together a Pro Bowl campaign after three seasons at LSU. Heading into year two, the Giants have added a notable veteran quarterback in Russell Wilson to help with the continued development of the wideout. So far, Nabers and Wilson haven't had a chance to put it together at OTAs. As Wilson gets to work with his new weapons in New York, Nabers has been a non-participant due to health reasons. According to Nabers is currently recovering from a toe injury. The Giants aren't operating with the belief that Nabers' setback is severe. The team is simply being cautious at this time. Malik Nabers #1 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Malik Nabers #1 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Justin K. Aller/Getty Images "Of course, it would be great if Nabers was out here catching passes from Wilson during OTAs. But the most important thing for the 21-year-old is to get fully healthy for the start of the season," writes Giants analyst Matt Citak. "I cannot imagine it will take long for Wilson and Nabers to build a connection of their own, and once they do, the sky is the limit for the star wideout. For right now, though, the veteran quarterback's growing chemistry with the other targets has been on full display these last couple of weeks." Throughout the 2024 NFL season, Nabers appeared in 15 games. He caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns. The closest receiver on the team in terms of production was Wan'Dale Robinson, who caught 93 passes for 699 yards and three scores. While Nabers' absence still provides a hint of concern simply due to the fact that he's a cornerstone player, there are slight positives in his absence. Wilson now gets an opportunity to find comfort with other weapons on the depth chart, figuring out his other options beyond Nabers, who will undoubtedly garner a high volume of targets throughout the 2025 NFL season. Last week, Robinson sent a lot of praise Wilson's way after catching passes from the veteran quarterback throughout the early phase of spring practices. A lot of buzz has been built around the veteran Jalin Hyatt, as he's been dubbed a potential breakout candidate for the upcoming season. The Giants haven't offered a timeline on Nabers, but the assumption is that there isn't much to worry about.
New York Post
29 minutes ago
- New York Post
Dak Prescott makes clear what his Cowboys priority is: ‘Be damned if it's just for my legacy'
Dak Prescott wants a championship ring, no matter the cost. Prescott told reporters on Thursday that it is his primary goal, regardless of the legacy he leaves in the NFL. 'Yeah, I want to win a championship,' Prescott said. 'The legacy, the things, whatever comes after I finish playing will take care of itself. I want to win a championship. Be damned if it's just for my legacy, or if it's for this team, for my personal being, for my sanity. Yeah, the legacy will take care of itself. I have to stay where my feet are.' Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is entering his 10th season with the Cowboys. AP Prescott is getting ready for his 10th NFL season, and only Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman has had a longer tenure in Dallas while starting under center. While Prescott, 31, has led the Cowboys to five playoff appearances, those trips have always ended before the team reached the NFC championship. Prescott has recently faced some tough injury luck, missing games in four of the last five seasons due to different setbacks. Last season, he missed nine games due to surgery on his hamstring. Now, as the 2025 season is approaching, Prescott seems to be feeling good about things in Dallas, with whom he signed a four-year, $240 million extension before last season, which has already been restructured. 'These OTAs, just the way that I've been seeing minicamp, the communication with [coach Brian Schottenheimer], with the quarterbacks or the quarterback room, just a lot of good things,' Prescott said. 'A lot of really good things that have me in a great place. I'm healthy. Excited as hell.' First-year head coach for the Dallas Cowboys Brian Schottenheimer AP With a new head coach in Schottenheimer, maybe they can complete Prescott's goal and bring a Lombardi Trophy back to the Lone Star State.
