AFC
41 - 34
NFC
Final
for this game
AFC-NFC Preview
Jan 30, 2010 - 8:36 PM
By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI (AP) -- The Pro Bowl's experimental one-year move to Miami
has resulted in better ticket sales, more media coverage and
some grousing by players.
"I like Hawaii a lot better," Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
James Harrison said. He and the other all-stars wanted to end
the season in Miami - but not this week.
With a new venue and new slot on the league calendar, the Pro
Bowl will be played Sunday as a preliminary to next week's Super
Bowl on the same field.
It definitely feels like a warmup act.
"There's a bittersweet taste," said quarterback Tony Romo, a
late addition to the
NFC roster after his Dallas Cowboys came up
two wins shy of a Super Bowl berth. "You're always hoping to
play in the big game."
The NFL is trying to transform the Pro Bowl into a bigger game
by playing it before the Super Bowl for the first time. The
league also moved the game from Honolulu, its home since 1980.
One result: the best attendance in 51 years, with a sellout
crowd of more than 70,000 expected. But some players said they
preferred the more exotic setting of Honolulu for the game.
"Hawaii is considered kind of a vacation," San Diego tight end
Antonio Gates said. "A lot of these guys are from Florida, and a
lot of people come to Florida on a regular basis."
Defections by players were numerous, as usual. More than a dozen
pulled out citing injuries. Minnesota tackle Bryant McKinnie was
dismissed from the NFC team for unexcused absences after missing
two days of practice.
Nearly 40 percent of those originally selected won't play. That
includes seven Colts and seven Saints missing because they're
preparing for the Super Bowl, a drawback to playing the Pro Bowl
first.
"You take 14 guys from the Super Bowl teams that are not here,"
Gates said. "Does it mean it's a true all-star game now?"
Frank Supovitz, the NFL's senior vice president for events,
noted that the high defection rate was nothing new. It's not
what the league sought to fix by changing the date and site of
the game, he said.
"The changes were meant to look at two things: Whether we could
create more excitement with the Pro Bowl being the first event
of Super Bowl week, and whether it would have an impact on TV
ratings," he said.
Ticket sales show the excitement level is up, Supovitz said. And
he's optimistic about the television audience for the game.
"It's being shown on a weekend when there's usually no football
and interest in the NFL is at its highest," he said.
Those tuning in will see established stars such as Ray Lewis,
Chad Ochocinco and DeMarcus Ware, as well as first-time Pro
Bowlers such as DeAngelo Williams, Clay Matthews and Matt
Schaub. The TV audience they attract will help the NFL decide
where and when to play future Pro Bowls.
The game will return to Honolulu in 2011 and 2012, but the
league hasn't decided whether to hold those games before or
after the Super Bowl. The Pro Bowl site for 2013 and beyond
hasn't been determined.
Players had mixed reactions to this year's changes. Many said
they preferred the old schedule so those in the Super Bowl could
also be available for the Pro Bowl.
But Romo said he could see the appeal of putting the Pro Bowl
first.
"There's something to be said for playing the game during the
season," he said. "I think more people are interested."
By moving the game to the Super Bowl site, the NFL created a
bigger spotlight for the Pro Bowl. There are 1,076 credentialed
media members this week, compared with 334 in Honolulu a year
ago.
That's good for the league, and maybe not so good for the
all-stars.
"There's a lot more media here, that's for sure," said
eight-time Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae, addressing a throng of
reporters after an
AFC practice. "It's not as relaxed here.
There's a little more hustle and bustle here than there would be
at the resort where we stay in Hawaii."
Still, practices this week were pretty laid back. AFC offensive
linemen ran pass patterns. Browns kick returner Joshua Cribbs
took a wildcat snap. Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson threw a pass
on an end-around. Ochocinco practiced punting and kicking and
said he may boot one in the game.
The primary goal seemed to be having a few laughs, which at the
end of a long season was understandable. For players who came up
short of the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl can be a consolation prize
worth accepting.
Running back Adrian Peterson decided not to play, then changed
his mind two days after his Vikings lost in the NFC championship
game.
"I was beating myself up, and then I realized that really wasn't
the right route to go," Peterson said. "I'm here, and I'm going
to enjoy myself."
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NFL
NFC 34
AFC 41 FINAL
AFC 34, NFC 41 FinalJan 31 10:55 PM
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NFC 34 0:00 LEFT, 4TH QTR
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AFC 41
NFC 34 5:59 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 41, NFC 34 4th - 5:59Jan 31 10:24 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 34 11:48 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 34 4th - 11:48Jan 31 10:14 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 31 14:07 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 4th - 14:07Jan 31 10:14 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 34 11:48 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 34 4th - 11:48Jan 31 10:13 PM
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NFC 31 14:07 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 4th - 14:07Jan 31 10:13 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 34 11:48 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 34 4th - 11:48Jan 31 10:13 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 31 14:07 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 4th - 14:07Jan 31 10:13 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 34 11:48 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 34 4th - 11:48Jan 31 10:13 PM
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NFC 31 14:07 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 4th - 14:07Jan 31 10:13 PM
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NFC 34 11:48 LEFT, 4TH QTR
AFC 34, NFC 34 4th - 11:48Jan 31 10:10 PM
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NFC 31 0:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR
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AFC 34
NFC 31 1:22 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 3rd - 1:22Jan 31 9:57 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 24 5:09 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 24 3rd - 5:09Jan 31 9:57 PM
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NFC 31 1:22 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 3rd - 1:22Jan 31 9:57 PM
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NFC 24 5:13 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 24 3rd - 5:13Jan 31 9:57 PM
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NFC 31 1:22 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 3rd - 1:22Jan 31 9:57 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 24 5:13 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 24 3rd - 5:13Jan 31 9:57 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 31 1:22 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 3rd - 1:22Jan 31 9:56 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 24 5:13 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 24 3rd - 5:13Jan 31 9:56 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 31 1:22 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 31 3rd - 1:22Jan 31 9:54 PM
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AFC 34
NFC 24 5:13 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 34, NFC 24 3rd - 5:13Jan 31 9:46 PM
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AFC 31
NFC 24 11:21 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 31, NFC 24 3rd - 11:21Jan 31 9:33 PM
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AFC 24
NFC 24 13:19 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 24, NFC 24 3rd - 13:19Jan 31 9:29 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 24 14:10 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 24 3rd - 14:10Jan 31 9:29 PM
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AFC 24
NFC 24 13:19 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 24, NFC 24 3rd - 13:19Jan 31 9:25 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 24 14:10 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 24 3rd - 14:10Jan 31 9:25 PM
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AFC 24
NFC 24 13:19 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 24, NFC 24 3rd - 13:19Jan 31 9:23 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 24 14:10 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 24 3rd - 14:10Jan 31 9:21 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 15:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 3rd - 15:00Jan 31 9:21 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 24 14:10 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 24 3rd - 14:10Jan 31 9:21 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 15:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 3rd - 15:00Jan 31 9:21 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 24 14:10 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 24 3rd - 14:10Jan 31 9:20 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 0:05 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 0:05Jan 31 9:20 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 24 14:10 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 24 3rd - 14:10Jan 31 9:20 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 0:05 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 0:05Jan 31 9:20 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 24 14:10 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 24 3rd - 14:10Jan 31 9:20 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 0:05 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 0:05Jan 31 9:20 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 24 14:10 LEFT, 3RD QTR
AFC 17, NFC 24 3rd - 14:10Jan 31 9:18 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 0:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Jan 31 9:00 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:42 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:42 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:42 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:42 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:41 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:41 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:40 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:40 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:40 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:40 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:38 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:38 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:37 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:37 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:36 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:36 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:36 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:36 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:33 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:33 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:30 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:30 PM
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AFC 17
NFC 17 5:31 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 17, NFC 17 2nd - 5:31Jan 31 8:30 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:24 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 1:46 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 1:46Jan 31 8:24 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:24 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 1:46 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 1:46Jan 31 8:24 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:23 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 1:46 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 1:46Jan 31 8:23 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 17 11:23 LEFT, 2ND QTR
AFC 14, NFC 17 2nd - 11:23Jan 31 8:20 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 0:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR
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AFC 14
NFC 10 3:27 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 3:27Jan 31 8:09 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 8:09 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 3:27 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 3:27Jan 31 8:08 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 8:08 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 3:27 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 3:27Jan 31 8:07 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 8:07 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 3:27 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 3:27Jan 31 8:07 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 8:07 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 3:27 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 3:27Jan 31 8:05 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 8:05 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 3:27 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 3:27Jan 31 8:04 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 8:04 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 10 3:27 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 10 1st - 3:27Jan 31 8:01 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 7:58 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:24 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:24Jan 31 7:58 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 7:58 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:58 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 7:57 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:57 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 7:56 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:56 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 7:56 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:56 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 7:55 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:55 PM
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AFC 14
NFC 3 6:59 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 14, NFC 3 1st - 6:59Jan 31 7:52 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:50 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 0 11:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 0 1st - 11:53Jan 31 7:50 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:50 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 0 11:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 0 1st - 11:53Jan 31 7:50 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:49 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 0 11:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 0 1st - 11:53Jan 31 7:49 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:49 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 0 11:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 0 1st - 11:53Jan 31 7:49 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:48 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 0 11:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 0 1st - 11:53Jan 31 7:48 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 3 9:29 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 3 1st - 9:29Jan 31 7:45 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 0 11:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 0 1st - 11:53Jan 31 7:41 PM
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AFC 0
NFC 0 15:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 0, NFC 0 1st - 15:00Jan 31 7:41 PM
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AFC 7
NFC 0 11:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR
AFC 7, NFC 0 1st - 11:53Jan 31 7:39 PM