AFC vs NFC: Pro Bowl Preview

The AFC and NFC champions have been decided, the Super Bowl odds are set, and all eyes are on Manning and Brees as they lead the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints into Miami.

There is, however, one last game before Super Bowl XLIV to occupy the legions of hungry football fans. The NFL has moved both the location and the time of their All-Star game to fill in the void left by two weeks of Super Bowl preparation. For the first time since 1980, the game will not be held in Honolulu. Instead the Pro Bowl finds itself at Land Shark Stadium in Miami on Sunday January 31^st, one week prior to the Super Bowl.

Rosters are now finalized, as many players have been pulling out with injuries, and two teams won’t be sending any players at all. With the Saints and Colts still alive, the AFC will lose Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark, among others.  The NFC meanwhile will be without seven Saints, including Drew Brees,  and safety Darren Sharper.

Many other key players have had to step out or decline an invitation due to injury, including Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald, Stephen Jackson, Wes Welker, and Philip Rivers.

So who is playing?

Well, there will still be plenty of big stars on the field. Two key replacements come in on the NFC side that should give them the advantage.  Tony Romo and Donovan McNabb, taking the places of Brett Favre and Drew Brees, are two gunslingers who have always played under pressure in towns where they are expected win. They are more talented and accomplished than their AFC counterparts, Vince Young and David Garrard.  Aaron Rodgers will start for the NFC, going against Matt Schaub of the Houston Texans.

All three quarterbacks for the AFC  are replacing players who are cannot play and were not chosen initially.

The NFC also boasts a younger, and fast receiving core.  When youth comes a greater desire to play, impress, and generally show off.  Miles Austin, Desean Jackson, Sidney Rice, and Steve Smith of the Giants will all look for big plays. The running game often takes a backseat to the pitch and catch nature of the match.

The AFC wide outs meanwhile, contain several of the NFL’s more outspoken and controversial players. Brandon Marshall may have a tough time getting motivated when he has at times not geared up for a regular season tilt. Ochocinco meanwhile will care much more about on the field antics than making big plays.

Despite the ever changing rosters and the inability to quantify motivation, the Pro Bowl is not immune to sports betting. In fact, there is a good chance at great success in this all-star affair. Kickoff goes at 7:20 EST.

Betting Lines:

The AFC team is favored on the Super Bowl betting odds but the Pro Bowl is another story. The NFC has opened as the favourite by 2-3 points depending where you look, which looks like a good bet when you consider the Pro Bowl isn’t about who is the most talented, but who wants to play hard and show off.

The NFC has the more explosive players, the bigger arms, and some of the more care free players. Moreover, they have won three of the last four meetings by a combined 27 points. The one game they lost was by three points. The over/under sits around 58 points, and with this being the year of the quarterback, and with many defensive stars sitting out due to injury or the Super Bowl, this should be a high scoring affair.

Bookmaker Review Pick: NFC