Alex Mack Scores, AFC Loses Pro Bowl 55-41

The NFC beat the AFC 55-41 in the 2011 Pro Bowl, a game that really doesn’t resemble NFL football in any way, shape or form, other than the helmets and pads. With little tackling, or defense to speak of, the AFC turned the ball over 6 times as the NFC jumped to a 42-0 before ‘hanging on’ to get the win.

For Cleveland Browns fans, the highlight came in the final minutes when C Alex Mack scored on a 67-yard, lateral-filled pass from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel with :16 seconds to go. It can’t get much better than that for an offensive lineman playing in his first Pro Bowl.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was 9/13 for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns. San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was 17/26 for 192 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

To tell you what kind of game it was, the MVP was a defensive back – DeAngelo Hall. Hall intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble, had 6 tackles and 2 passes defensed. In other words, Hall came to play.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White had 5 receptions for 69 yards to lead the NFC while Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne made 5 grabs for 86 yards and a touchdown for the AFC.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries while Jamaal Charles had 72 yards on 10 carries.

With just one game – Super Bowl XLV – remaining, this could be the last time we see ‘real’ football for awhile. Based on the product we saw last night, let’s hope the Super Bowl is a great game!

2011 NFL Pro Bowl Rosters

The 2011 NFL Pro Bowl is this Sunday from Honolulu, HI and is the 'official' start to Super Bowl week.  Below are the rosters for the AFC and NFC squads:

2011 AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

(Starters listed in Bold)

(Non-participating players listed in Italics)

(* Replacing non-participating player)

(+ Need player selected by head coach)

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SPECIALISTS

2011 NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

(Starters listed in Bold)

(Non-participating players listed in Italics)

(* Replacing non-participating player)

(+ Need player selected by head coach)

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SPECIALISTS

Browns Joe Thomas Named To NFL All-Pro Team

Joe Thomas, the anchor of a Cleveland Browns offensive line that led Peyton Hillis to almost 1200 rushing yards in 2010, has been named to the AP 2010 NFL All-Pro Team.

The honor is Thomas's second in the last two seasons and third in the last four years. The news came on the heels of the news that C Alex Mack was named to the NFL Pro Bowl. Miami's Jake Long was the other offensive tackle named to the team.

Thomas was the only AFC North representative on the offense, but the division earned four defensive members, and K Billy Cundiff also made the list.

Here is the full All-Pro roster:

2011 NFL Pro Bowl A Memorable One For The Browns

From the fun facts department here at SBN Cleveland, this year's NFL Pro Bowl is a particularly interesting one for Cleveland Browns fans. It marks the first time the Browns have had two OL in the all-star game since 1981.

Joe Thomas and Alex Mack, the young anchors to an impressive Browns offensive line, will be the Cleveland Browns representatives in the game this year.

Who was in that 1981 game? None other than The Three Ds-- Joe DeLamielleure, Tom DeLeone and Doug Dieken.

DeLamielleure currently promotes the All-American Football League, while DeLeone is a substitute teacher. Dieken is a Browns lifer who continues to do broadcast work for WKYC-Channel 3 and for STO.