Manning helps AFC score early, often in Pro Bowl win
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Atlanta's Michael Vick provided late drama, but it was Indianapolis' Peyton Manning who turned in a show-stopping performance to lead the AFC past the NFC, 38-27, in the Pro Bowl yesterday.
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A sellout crowd of 50,225 — the 25th sellout in 26 Pro Bowls at Aloha Stadium — watched the AFC avenge last year's 55-52 loss where it squandered an 18-point lead in the final 13 minutes.
Green Bay's Javon Walker (84) of the NFC is tackled by New England's Tedy Bruschi (54) of the AFC in the first quarter. Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu, left, of the AFC was also in on the play. The AFC defeated the NFC, 38-27, in the Pro Bowl.
Manning earned the Dan McGuire Award as the Player of the Game by completing 6 of 10 passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.
Even after the AFC built a 28-7 lead, the game remained exciting with Vick sparking the NFC's 17-point second half with two touchdowns.
"I'm not going to say I wasn't holding my breath over there once Vick started rolling around over there," Manning said. "But our defense did a great job of stopping him there and holding him. It was good that we got the game this year after we sort of let the lead slip away last year."
Manning's performance was fitting of the NFL's Most Valuable Player who tossed a NFL record 49 touchdowns this season.
"It epitomized what he's done all year," AFC coach Bill Cowher said. "He's had that type of year. He's a great competitor and has a great feel for the game. That's why he's he league's MVP. He showed it again today."
Vick became the first quarterback to both run and throw for a touchdown in a Pro Bowl. He is the first player since running back Marcus Allen in 1986 to perform the feat.
"We all wanted it at the end, but we came up a little short," said Vick, who was 14 of 24 for 205 yards with one interception. "It was just fun. We were able to go out and make a run at it."
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Vick led the NFC to two quick touchdowns after he entered the game at the beginning of the third quarter.
NFC quarterback Daunte Culpepper (11) tackles Joey Porter (55). Culpepper's pass was intercepted at the AFC 44 by Takeo Spikes, who then pitched the football to Porter, who ran it to the NFC 28.
Vick's 27-yard touchdown pass to St. Louis' Torry Holt pulled the NFC to 28-17 and capped an eight-play, 73-yard drive.
After Philadelphia's Lito Sheppard intercepted Tom Brady, Vick scored on an improvised 3-yard run to cut the AFC lead to 28-24. On the play, Vick dove into the end zone and had his helmet knocked off by Baltimore strong safety Ed Reed.
"I made myself nervous," Vick said. "My intention wasn't to run, but the opportunity was there and I took it and ran with it."
After the two teams traded field goals, the AFC extended its lead to 38-27 on LaDainian Tomlinson's 4-yard touchdown run.
The AFC's defense did the rest, stopping the NFC on five plays on its next possession, and ending another drive when Nate Clements intercepted Vick with 2 minutes remaining to end any hopes of another shocking comeback.
"I was on the opposite end of that last year," Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said. "You get a little worried about it, but you stay in the flow of the game. If you keep making plays, keep playing football, things will work out for you."
The AFC appeared that it would run away with the game in the first half behind the hot hand of Manning.
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Manning connected with Indianapolis teammate Marvin Harrison for a 62-yard catch-and-run touchdown for 7-0 lead.
Lito Sheppard intercepts a pass intended for Andre Johnson (80) of the AFC in the third quarter of the Pro Bowl.
"I was able to hit Marvin on a post and the safety missed a tackle," Manning said. "Nobody's catching Marvin once he gets in the open field."
The AFC's second touchdown was set up when Pittsburgh's Joey Porter intercepted Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb and ran 19 yards to the AFC 31. Four plays later, Manning found a wide-open Hines Ward for a 41-yard score.
"We ran a play action fake and Hines was able to get down on the post and I just threw it out there," Manning said. "He ran under it."
The NFC responded with a 10-play, 84-yard drive capped by Brian Westbrook's 12-yard touchdown off a toss sweep from Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
The AFC struck back on the ensuing kickoff when Ward grabbed David Akers' onside kick and ran down the right sideline for a 39-yard touchdown and 21-7 AFC lead. It was the first kickoff return for a touchdown in Pro Bowl history.
"I was happy to make plays for our team," Ward said. "That's why we are here — to make plays to help win the game."
On the ensuing NFC possession, Buffalo's Takeo Spikes intercepted Culpepper at the AFC 44 and lateralled the ball to Porter who rumbled to the NFC 28.
Six plays later, Manning tossed his third touchdown — a 13-yard score to Antonio Gates — for a 28-7 AFC lead.
"It was sort of an adjustment by me and Antonio Gates," Manning said. "I kind of threw it to his back shoulder and he made a great catch and got into the end zone."
Akers capped the second quarter by connecting on a 33-yard field goal to pull the NFC to 28-10 at halftime.
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
