While Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald stole the show on offense, the NFC defensive line led the charge on the other side of the ball.

Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers intercepted Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler late in the game, which led to John Carney's second of three field goals to put the NFC ahead 27-21.

"I fell back into zone because I kind of got stopped on my rush," said Peppers, who is 6 feet 7 and 283 pounds. "I just read his eyes and when he threw it, I was there to make a play on it."

Peppers finished with four tackles and a sack.

"A lot of people don't realize (Cowboys linebacker) DeMarcus (Ware) made that play," Giants defensive end Justin tuck said. "He got a lot of pressure on the quarterback and made him throw the ball before he wanted to and Peppers made an athletic catch and run."

Tuck — who came into his own this season with 67 tackles, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception — had six tackles and two sacks yesterday.

"We had a pretty good year and you want to come out (to the Pro Bowl) and show everyone that you can play with the big dogs and for me to come out and get two sacks, it was a pretty good experience, especially with the people that we have around here," said the 6-5, 274-pound Tuck. "If you can hold your own with the defensive line that we got, it's a good feeling, so I'm of that."

Dolphins rookie offensive tackle Jake Long was among the AFC linemen who tried to fend off the pair.

"They're great players, both of them are about 7-foot tall and they're fast off the edge, they've got power and they're two great players," Long said. "They're just very technically sound, very quick, strong and they can get their hands up in the air real quick."

Tuck said he was somewhat expectant of their success.

"With all this talent we have on this D-line, we had to put some pressure on them or something would be wrong," he said. "It was all just one-on-one blocks and whenever we get those, I don't think anybody can block us."

FUN AND GAMES

Robert Mathis likes to fly under the radar. With fellow Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney garnering much of the attention in the trenches, Mathis earned his first Pro Bowl invitation this year after his sixth season in the league.

Mathis, who is listed at 6-2 and 245 pounds, collected 48 tackles, including 11 1/2 sacks and five forced fumbles this season.

"He's a player man. Everybody that made it (to the game) had an opportunity to see him," Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross said. "That's a great one-two combo with him and Dwight Freeney. What he lacks in size, I think he makes up in technique."

Mathis played well yesterday, posting five tackles, two sacks and forcing two fumbles — even recovering one.

"He plays with so much speed off the edge," AFC coach Jim Harbaugh said. "He's a great pass rusher, yet he's able to play against the run well, too."

Not bad for a guy who "just wanted to have fun."

"You always want to win, but in this game, you want to have fun," Mathis said. "I mean this was a dream to play how I did in this game, but still it boils down to having fun here."

PROVING HE BELONGS

Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield was just happy to be here this week after earning his first Pro Bowl invitation in his 10th season, but an interception in the second quarter of yesterday's game made it even more special.

"That was a big play for us, it kind of changed the momentum of the game," Winfield said. "But I'm just blessed right now to have the opportunity to come out here, play in the Pro Bowl and play well."

Winfield picked off Titans quarterback Kerry Collins on a pass intended for Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall on a 2nd-and-4 situation. He also had four tackles.

Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber, a 12-year league veteran, praised Winfield after the game.

"Antoine's a guy that's been playing great football for a lot of years and not made any Pro Bowls," Barber said. "To finally get here is obviously an honor for him — he finally had a season where people recognized him. It's a great story."

A RUTHIAN-EFFORT

Raiders punter Shane Lechler drew "oooh's" and "aaah's" from the crowd after he boomed a 65-yard punt late in the third quarter.

Lechler, standing in his end zone, nailed a spiral that sailed high and deep, and was received by NFC return man Clifton Smith at the 30-yard line.

"He does that for us every game," Oakland cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. "We're used to seeing that from him and he means a lot to the Raiders."

Lechler now holds the three longest punts in Pro Bowl history. In the 2002 game, he had punts of 73 and 72 yards.

"Any time you come out here and play in Hawai'i and to be able to perform like that in front of the crowd, it's a good feeling," Lechler said. "I didn't even know that (about his three long kicks). I'm glad you told me, now I really feel good."

Said AFC coach Harbaugh: "He always does that, he just crushes the ball. He's like Babe Ruth, like a long ball, a deep ball hitter."

MEMORIES FOR MANNING

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning attended this week's festivities, including yesterday's game. Manning, who played in the first Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in 1980, was bittersweet about the game moving to Miami next season.

"It's been a great run. Hundreds and hundreds of great players have come out here and played in this stadium," said Manning, whose sons Peyton and Eli played on the AFC and NFC teams, respectively.

"Gosh, it's hard to believe it's been almost 30 years," Manning said. "This being the last one (in Hawai'i) and both the boys being here made it real special, makes me feel real blessed."

Manning said the Pro Bowl will only have one true home.

"I refuse to believe the NFL and the Pro Bowl are done with Hawai'i, I think it'll be back," he said. "I don't know how it'll work out with all the details and that stuff, but I feel very confident that it will be back. This is too great of a place and the players and fans have too great a time, so I think there will be a place for this game back here someday."

GOOD TO BE BACK

NFC return specialist Clifton Smith made a triumphant return to Aloha Stadium yesterday. Smith, a rookie running back with the Buccaneers, last stepped onto the turf in Halawa in November of 2007. As a Fresno State tailback, he ran for 107 yards in a 37-30 loss to Hawai'i.

Yesterday, Smith returned five kicks (three kickoffs and two punts) for a combined 156 yards.

"Feels like I was just in college watching these guys in this game, doing something that I love to do and now I've been in the same locker room as them and it's an amazing feeling," Smith said.

Smith helped to set up the NFC's first touchdown late in the second quarter. On his first kickoff return, Smith fielded the kick in the end zone and took it back 45 yards before he was pushed out of bounds by Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis. Three plays later, Drew Brees connected with Larry Fitzgerald on a 46-yard touchdown pass.

"I think I did a good job today," Smith said. "A couple times I was able to get some good returns and give the offense some good field position so, all in all, I thought it was a good showing today."

If, or when, the Pro Bowl returns to Aloha Stadium, Smith hopes he'll earn an invite.

"I hope I can return," he said. "This time I come back to Hawai'i and I got Hawai'i fans cheering for me, instead of booing."