by Gregory Payan/AP Images for NFL
The 2023 Pro Bowl Games kicked off Thursday with a series of unique, fun-filled competitions.
Things started with the Precision Passing competition, which was an accuracy test for quarterbacks. Derek Carr sealed victory for the AFC with a performance of 31 points, the highest of six contestants.
The victory gave the AFC early 3-0 lead via NFC. Carr, who will part ways with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason, has put on a show for his potential suitors this offseason:
NFL @NFL
31 points from @DerekCarrQB give the AFC the Precision Passing victory!
📺: 2023 #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/qmokHzHTY6
Dov Kleimann @NFL_DovKleiman
Derek Carr got jokes 🤣
“Probably why I go elsewhere” pic.twitter.com/ROPRujyKSf
Men in Teal Podcast @menintealpod
Derek Carr with the mic drop 😂😂😂#ProBowlGames
Next up was the Lightning Round, which consisted of three competitions. There was a water balloon toss followed by a fielding punt contest. In the final practice, players attempted to hit targets to throw a bucket of confetti at NFC head coach Eli Manning and AFC assistant Ray Lewis, making for entertaining TV viewing.
The AFC won again and extended their lead:
NFL @NFL
AFC wins Thrill of the Spill and Eli Manning gets the confetti rain 😂
📺: 2023 #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Ovt1zshg20
Kyle Foley @KFoleyFL
Unironic enjoy the #ProBowlGames tbh. It’s so much better if they don’t try to treat it like a serious football weekend.
PhinsPod | A Miami Dolphins show @PhinsPod
Don’t hate me but this one #ProBowlGames is fun as hell
El Patron🫡 @HLT__92
Eli was so nervous 🤣 that he thought he was about to be showered with water #ProBowlGames
J.Stender @jSTENDER3
Thrill of the Spill would be better if it was by @Nickelodeon would be set up. we need next year #slime. @nfl #ProBowl #ProBowlGames
The results of the Longest Drive golf competition were broadcast, with the AFC again claiming victory on Jordan Poyer’s 320-yard swing. Poyer was the last competitor to leave, and he beat TJ Hockenson’s drive from 316 yards.
NFL @NFL
On the last swing…Jordan Poyer wins the longest drive for the AFC! 🏌️♂️ @J_Poyer21
📺: 2023 #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/x5m8bZeHdq< /a>
NFL @NFL
A lucky charm for the third time @ZadariusSmith 😂🏌️♂️
📺: 2023 #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic. twitter.com/jDqRHuuddY
Jordan Poyer @J_poyer21
LFG!!! https://t.co/iBpm1Z5jdn
The final competition of the evening was dodgeball. Both offense and defense faced each other to determine the final matchup, which ended up being the AFC defense versus NFC offense. It was the NFC offense that finally clinched the win to stave off a clean win for the AFC, who are 9-3 in the lead.
Lindsey Pallares @Lindseylares
#49ers @gkittle46 with the closer! The People’s TE is the dodgeball champion 🙌 #ProBowlGames pic.twitter.com/cJ1kEV1SU8
NFL @NFL
.@Saquon can’t be grasped at dodgeball either 👀
📺: 2023 #ProBowlGames on ESPN pic.twitter.com/lL2svOBUO3
Things will wrap up Sunday with the finals of the Best Catch contest, the Gridiron Gauntlet, Kick Tac Toe, the Move the Chains strength contest, and the finals of three flag football games between the AFC and NFC.
