For the first time, the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown will pit top-level NFL players against each other in dodgeball, relay races, passing, and catching competitions. These events sound more exciting than the Pro Bowl itself.
Pro Bowl Skills Showdown: Time, TV schedule for NFL’s new event
The new competitions might be more exciting than the actual game.
Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images
The Power Relay challenge will test four-man teams in a timed relay race. The Precision Passing challenge will show two-man teams attempting to hit moving targets. The Best Hands challenge will time a quarterback and wide receiver tandem to complete the most passes before time runs out. The Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball game will go as it sounds.
And then there’s the recently added Drone Drop challenge, which will test receivers’ hands as a drone hovering over the field drops balls. Wait, what?
The NFL is reverting back to the NFC vs. AFC format it used for 43 years until 2013. We don’t know who will be competing in which event, but the rosters are set.
The NFC roster features Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson, Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott, Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins, Eagles center Jason Kelce, and Buccaneers tackle Gerald McCoy.
Elliott seems like a good bet to take part in the relay event, based on his excellent track and field skills.
For the AFC: Bengals tackle Geno Atkins and quarterback Andy Dalton, Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas, Broncos linebacker Von Miller and cornerback Chris Harris Jr., Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi and wide receiver Jarvis Landry, and Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.
Thomas will likely participate in dodgeball, considering he might have come up with the idea.
Tony Gonzalez and Charles Woodson will coach the NFC team against a Jerome Bettis- and Ray Lewis-led AFC team.
How to Watch
When: 7 p.m. ET
Where: ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex, Orlando, Fla.
TV: ESPN
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
Online: WatchESPN
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