AFC rallies for late Pro Bowl victory
Tennessee’s Delanie Walker caught two touchdown passes, including an 18-yarder with 1:31 remaining, as the AFC beat the NFC 24-23 in a rain-soaked Pro Bowl Sunday in Orlando, Fla.
Oakland’s Derek Carr completed 11 of 15 passes for 115 yards and connected with Walker for the winning score.
Denver’s Von Miller sealed the victory when he forced and recovered a fumble by Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff. Miller posed problems all afternoon.
The AFC overcame a 17-point halftime deficit and four turnovers to win the annual all-star game.
THE CHILL IN MINNY
Yes, Minnesota is cold. Good thing it built that US$1.13-billion state-owned U.S. Bank Stadium. The state says the Super Bowl featuring the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles will have an economic impact on Minnesota of more than $400 million. Oddly enough, Patriots QB Tom Brady’s mom is from Browerville, Minn., which is about a two-hour drive northwest of Minneapolis.
GOOD SIGNS FOR GRONK
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski practised in helmet and shells again Sunday, which means he had no after effects from Saturday, when he was on the field for the first time since suffering a concussion in the AFC Championship Game. Gronk has not yet received medical clearance to play, but all signs are pointing in the right direction ... Brady had 12 stitches removed from his right hand and practised without gloves, but while still wearing the black tape. “I think we’re in a decent place (with the injury) and hopefully it can get better in the next seven days,” he told ESPN ... Remember when Patriots RB Dion Lewis was an Eagle? It was a blink-and-you-missed-it stint that covered the 2011 and 2012 seasons, during which he played 24 games and had 36 carries. This year, he emerged as New England’s leading rusher with 896 yards. “When he got here, there was kind of a lot of people vying for that spot and he really took advantage of (the opportunity),” Brady said.