2011 Pro Bowl Stats: Tony Gonzalez, NFC Set Records And Other Interesting Stats

Though it was just a meaningless exhibition, and a game that could barely keep the attention of viewers, the Pro Bowl did provide some interesting statistics. Two records were either tied or broken during Sunday’s game, both relating to scoring.

The NFC tied the Pro Bowl scoring mark with 55 points on Sunday. The mark was originally set in 2004 when the NFC squeaked out a 55-52 win over the AFC in Hawaii.

Tony Gonzalez broke the career touchdown mark in the second quarter. Matt Ryan found Gonzalez in the back of the end zone for four yards and the touchdown, his seventh career Pro Bowl score. Gonzalez came into the game tied with Marvin Harrison and Jimmy Smith at six touchdowns apiece.

The AFC and NFC combined for eight turnovers -- six interceptions and two fumbles. Three of those eight turnovers were returned for a score. DeAngelo Hall and Montell Owens took a fumbles to the house while Jon Beason took an interception back for the score.

On the scoring front, Owens scored in two wildly different ways. In addition to his fumble return for a touchdown, Owens also caught a Matt Cassel touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.

Twice, the scoring came in quick succession -- with the same team scoring 20 seconds or less apart. After Gonzalez scored in the second quarter, Hall returned his fumble for a touchdown just 20 seconds later. In the third quarter, Reggie Wayne found the end zone followed five seconds later by a Devin Hester fumble on the kickoff, returned for a touchdown by Owens.

All three AFC quarterbacks struggled, combining to throw six interceptions. Philip Rivers and Matt Cassel threw two apiece, with Peyton Manning adding one for good measure. Manning was completely ineffective in limited duties, completing just two passes for 12 yards and that interception.

Of course it’s the Pro Bowl, so none of these statistics mean much, but there were plenty of oddities to go around on Sunday.