LAS VEGAS — The NFL will conduct a revised Pro Bowl week called Pro Bowl Games. Gone is the traditional tackle football game that was replaced by a series of skill contests and three flag football games over the course of Thursday and Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Each event is based on points that contribute to determining the overall winner between AFC and NFC.
Peyton Manning will coach the AFC team while his brother Eli will coach the NFC. Squad selection was determined by the consensus vote of fans, players and coaches. One third of each group’s vote counted to determine the 88 players.
Here’s a look at what to expect.
how to watch
Thursday’s skill contest will be available on ESPN and ESPN+ from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET, and Sunday’s skill contest and flag games will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN/ESPN+ from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET.
Thursday February 2nd
Epic Pro Bowl dodgeball: This will be a multi-round, four-team, five-player classic dodgeball tournament. It begins with AFC and NFC’s attacks and defenses going head-to-head and culminates in a final between AFC and NFC. The overall winner gets three points.
blitz round: This is a new event for 2023. Each conference selects 16 players to compete in a three-part competition with an additional three points at stake. The first event is the “Splash Catch,” where teammates from each conference throw water balloons at each other from increasing distances. The event then transitions to “High Stakes” where advancing players are challenged to catch punts from a JUGS machine. In the final phase, the remaining players switch to the “thrill of the spill”, with players aiming for buckets hanging over the head of the opposing team’s coach. The first team to dump the bucket wins.
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Longest Ride: Four players from each conference compete for the longest drive off a golf tee. Each player gets three swings, with the winner being determined by the longest shot within given limits. The winner gets three points.
Precise passing game: Each of the three quarterbacks from each conference competes in a one-minute contest that tests their accuracy. The quarterback who hits the most shots gets three points for his conference.
best catch: Two players from each conference compete to demonstrate their creativity by presenting receptions filmed at famous Las Vegas locations. An online fan vote will determine the favorite of each conference, with the two finalists going head-to-head in the next round on Sunday.
Sunday February 5th
best catch: Thursday’s two finalists will compete in front of a prominent jury to determine the overall winner.
Gridiron Gauntlet: The race format features six players from each conference competing in a four-piece, 40-yard glove. Among the challenges: a hoop run and pushing a jammed sled across the finish line.
Kick Tac Toe: The kickers, punters and long snappers compete in a huge tic-tac-toe competition that showcases their respective skills. The first team to complete a connecting line in three squares wins three points for their conference.
Move the chains: Two teams from each conference compete in a weighted wall move that tests their strength and speed. Each team of five players has to pull a wall of heavy weights 10 meters. The best-of-three competition is worth three points.
Flag Football Games: The winning conference in the first two flag games earns six points. Scores from the skill competitions and the first two flag games are combined and carried over as a score at the start of the third and final flag game. The winner at the end of this game is the winners conference.