
Replacing the traditional NFL Pro Bowl, which took place from 1951 through 2022, are the Pro Bowl Games. Instead of 22 players in pads playing a regular football game without much defense, we have groups of players engaged in different skills challenges and a flag football game.
And now, instead of the losing coach in the championship games becoming the coaches of the two Pro Bowl teams, we get Peyton Manning vs. Eli Manning.
One thing that has also changed in recent years, thanks to the spread of legalized sports gambling, is that you can bet on the Pro Bowl Games.
Thursday Skill Competition Results
Passing the Test
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff was planning on missing this year’s Pro Bowl Games because he was expecting to be prepping for next week’s Super Bowl. That isn’t happening, but he made the most of the change of plans. In the NFL’s quarterback competition, called Passing the Test, Goff scored 44 points, a competition best.
Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings finished in second with 39 points, and Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers finished third with 31 points.
The win for the NFC put them ahead, 3-0.
Satisfying Catches
The pass-catching skills test involved a wide receiver, a tight end, and a defensive back running an obstacle course and catching passes. The fastest team wins, and this year, that was the NFC trio of Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, and Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
They beat the threesome of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, and Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr.
The Big Spike
Linemen don’t get to handle the football very often, so why not make a competition out of the big fellas with the questionable hands spiking the football.
After falling behind 6-0, with losses in the passing and catching competitions, the AFC finally got on the board, thanks to New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams’ powerful spike.
After the Big Spike, the Relay Race, Dodgeball, and a gameshow-like trivia competition called Helmet Harmony, the NFC finished the night up 14-7.
Sunday Skill Challenges
On Sunday, we will have the big flag football game, and after the first, second, and third quarters, we will take a break for three skill competitions.
We will have Punt Perfect, which features one punter and one non-punter from each conference trying to kick balls into buckets. The Great Football Race is another relay type event. But in this race, six players from each conference will race through a series of challenges, ending with a sled push. The final challenge will be a five-on-five Tug-Of-War in a best-of-three competition.
Each of those skills and each side (AFC and NFC) is paying -110.
Flag Football Odds
As with the skill challenges, the flag football game is paying -110 on both the AFC and NFC. Last season, the AFC won, 50-34, with the NFC’s Geno Smith throwing three interceptions.
Even though the NFC lost the flag football game a year ago, they won the overall competition. Another win for the NFC this season, and they will have three straight Pro Bowl Games wins.
“They’ve been talking about the Kansas City Chiefs next week, the three-peat. Really, all eyes are on the Pro Bowl for the three-peat,” joked NFC coach Eli Manning.

With over 25 years of experience as a distinguished sports writer for renowned platforms such as Fox Sports and ESPN, Kyle Garlett is a sports betting specialist who has been at the forefront of documenting the global surge in sports betting and online gaming. Based in Denver, Colorado, Kyle hosts an NFL betting YouTube show and podcast. Kyle also has two sports books published by HarperCollins.
Kyle graduated the Azusa Pacific University in 1996 with a B.A. Degree in Communication and Journalism.