Pro Bowl 2016: Date, Kickoff Time, Unconferenced Rosters, Format and More

Just one game remains in the NFL playoffs, but if you need some more NFL action in your life, the 2016 Pro Bowl will take place on Sunday night. 

Due to struggling ratings and a general lack of interest, the NFL has tweaked the Pro Bowl format in recent years and seems to have settled on an unconferenced format that appeals to fans. 

With a real-life twist on fantasy football, the Pro Bowl rosters will be selected in a draft format for the third consecutive year. 

To follow along with the Pro Bowl and the selection process, here's all the info you need to know.

Date	Time (ET)	Matchup	TV
Sun., Jan. 31	7 p.m.	Team Irvin vs. Team Rice	ESPN

Pro Bowl Selections

The participants of the 2016 Pro Bowl were selected through a voting process that featured fans, players and coaches. Each group accounted for one-third of the final vote. 

NFL.com has the full list of the Pro Bowl selections. 

In addition to the players voted into the Pro Bowl, a number of players have been selected as replacements for those unable to play due to injury. 

Twenty-seven of the 32 NFL teams are currently represented on the Pro Bowl rosters. 

Pro Bowl Draft

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

For the third consecutive year, the Pro Bowl will be a matchup of two unconferenced all-star teams drafted by former NFL legends. 

This year pits Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin against each other, with each former player returning to draft a team for the second time. 

Rice and Irvin, both former receivers, will be joined by their defensive assistants. Rice's defensive assistant is Eric Davis, his former teammate with the San Francisco 49ers, while Irvin is joined by former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson. 

In addition to the defensive assistants, four player captains will also assist in the selection process. 

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald will work with New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman will be paired with Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Geno Atkins. 

The Pro Bowl draft will be held on Wednesday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. 

NFL Innovations

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

All-Star games are often a low-risk environment for sports leagues to test out new rules, equipment and technology. 

This year, the NFL will test out a new technology to assist in on-field communication. 

The plan to upgrade the communication technology likely stems from some highly publicized issues that occurred during the 2015 season. Most notably, the Pittsburgh Steelers complained of issues with their headsets during their season opener in New England.