Published February 9, 2004
HONOLULU (AP) — There was nothing relaxing about yesterday
afternoon in Hawaii: The highest-scoring Pro Bowl in history also
might have been the most exciting edition of the NFL’s
all-star game.
More like this
MVP Marc Bulger threw a Pro Bowl-record four touchdown passes,
and Detroit’s Dre’ Bly returned an interception 32
yards for the go-ahead score with 4:50 to play during the
NFC’s rally from an 18-point deficit in the final 13 minutes
of a 55-52 victory over the AFC.
And it wasn’t over until Indianapolis’ Mike
Vanderjagt — the automatic kicker who didn’t miss a
field goal or an extra point all season — was barely wide
right on a 51-yard field goal attempt as time expired.
The 25th straight sellout crowd at Aloha Stadium loved this
thriller, with both teams’ millionaire players giving their
all for the paltry $35,000 given to each winner. With 42 points in
the helter-skelter fourth quarter, the teams easily topped the 82
total points scored in 2000.
Shaun Alexander had three touchdowns for the NFC, which scored
28 straight points in the fourth period to set the scoring record
for a single team. Torry Holt caught seven passes for 128 yards and
a score.
Bly, Corey Chavous and Champ Bailey all had fourth-quarter
interceptions.
Thanks to an incredible surge that had the stars dancing on the
sidelines, the NFC won for just the second time in eight meetings.
First-time Pro Bowlers Bulger, Alexander and Bly led the way in a
game with newcomers filling nearly half of the rosters.
Peyton Manning passed for 342 yards and three touchdowns, but he
couldn’t stop the AFC from falling apart. Manning threw a
10-yard TD pass to Hines Ward with 1:54 left, and after Bulger
threw an end-zone interception, Manning led the AFC into scoring
territory.
But he was sacked with 4 seconds left, and Vanderjagt barely
missed for the second time yesterday. He also made one field
goal.
