Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
If you were too busy catching up with the madness of the NBA trade deadline, you may not have noticed that the NFL Pro Bowl was on Sunday. The NFC came away with its third straight victory, and the Minnesota Vikings played a big part in making it happen.
The Vikings, coming off a 14-3 season, sent seven players to the Pro Bowl this year. After a strong start on Thursday in the skills competition, Minnesota and the rest of the NFC dominated the majority of the flag football game to take home a 76-63 win. There was also opportunities to earn extra points in a football race, tug-of-war and a Madden face-off.
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Byron Murphy’s MVP day
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy, Jr. was named the defensive MVP of Sunday’s event. In his first Pro Bowl, the former second-round pick had a pick-six and five “tackles” to lead the NFC to the win.
The interception came on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Murphy jumped the pass thrown by Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and took it eight yards to the house. Byron Murphy then jumped into the foam pit used for the tug-of-war competition, where he was joined by NFC teammates and mascots. One of the first ones to jump in after him was fellow MN Vikings Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard.
Murphy’s day helped the NFC claim a 56-50 victory in the flag football matchup. The 27-year-old signed with the Vikings back in 2023 and is set to be a free agent this offseason. Minnesota has made it a mission to resign him, but he will likely command more than the $17.5 million they gave him two years ago.
The raise would be warranted. Murphy picked off a career-high six passes this season, tying for third in the NFL. He’s been a starter for 31 games over the past two seasons, so he will be a hot commodity for teams that need help in the secondary.
Minnesota Vikings’ Darnold and Jefferson connect
Earlier in the game, two other Minnesota Vikings got their names on the scoreboard. Nursing a 33-22 lead late in the second quarter, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold connected with top receiver Justin Jefferson for a 21-yard strike. A couple plays later, Darnold found Jefferson again for a two-yard touchdown, and the griddying ensued.
Jefferson finished the day with six catches for 46 yards and the touchdown. Darnold was 9-of-13 passing for 72 yards, but was picked off by the Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey midway through the second quarter.
Minnesota Vikings long snapper Andrew DePaola and offensive tackle Brian O’Neill didn’t have roles in the flag football game, but both still assisted their conference in victory. DePaola helped the NFC win “The Great Football Race” by knocking down giant bowling pins, while O’Neill was the anchor in a quick tug-of-war win.
When the dust settled, the NFC won the weekend’s festivities 76-63. Lions quarterback Jared Goff took home offensive MVP honors, and head coach Eli Manning bested his brother for the third straight year.