Walker, Miller excel in Pro Bowl
Tight end pulls in the winning touchdown, linebacker seals win with strip-sack.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Delanie Walker held the ball in the end zone and waited for his teammates to celebrate.
They came from every direction: left, right and even the bench.
The Tennessee Titans tight end caught two touchdown passes, including one of 18 yards with 1 minute 31 seconds to play, and the AFC beat the NFC 24-23 in a rainsoaked Pro Bowl on Sunday.
Pittsburgh receiver Antonio Brown and coach Mike Tomlin, Baltimore safety Eric Weddle and Jacksonville cornerback Jalen Ramsey were among those who left the sideline to congratulate Walker.
“That’s as real as it gets in football,” Oakland quarterback Derek Carr said. “You always want to win, especially with money on the line.”
The winning team got $64,000 each, double the losing team’s share.
“You’ve got guys on the sidelines saying, ‘I need that money,’ ” Carr said.
Carr completed 11 of 15 passes for 115 yards and connected with Walker on a skinny post for the winning score.
Denver linebacker Von Miller sealed the victory when he caused and recovered a fumble by Rams quarterback Jared Goff. Miller posed problems all game for the NFC.
“I go all out all the time,” Miller said.
Although the game was more two-hand touch than hard-nosed football, there were plenty of defensive gems.
Arizona’s Patrick Peterson had two interceptions. Minnesota’s Harrison Smith returned a pick for a score. And two players took exception to one aggressive takedown. Tennessee left tackle Taylor Lewan and Oakland guard Kelechi Osemele had words for New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan after he drilled Indianapolis tight end Jack Doyle.
None of those plays compared to Miller’s gameclinching strip-sack.
“I knew Von was going to do it,” Broncos teammate Aqib Talib said. “When it’s clutch time, crunch time, that’s what he does. We needed a play, and Von went and did what he does.”
The AFC overcame a 17point halftime deficit and four turnovers to win the annual All-Star game.
Each of the AFC quarterbacks — Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger, Kansas City’s Alex Smith and Carr — threw interceptions. And Kansas City returner Tyreek Hill muffed a punt.
Walker was the MVP on offense, Miller on defense.