2018 Pro Bowl Explained
The 2018 Pro Bowl was the National Football League's all-star game for the 2017 season, which was played at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on January 28, 2018. For the first time since 2009, the game started during afternoon hours instead of primetime hours for U.S. Mainland viewers with a 3 p.m. ET start. It marked the second year the game was played in Orlando. It was televised nationally by ESPN and simulcasted on ABC. The roster was announced on December 19 on NFL Network. The AFC team won the game 24–23, the second straight year the Pro Bowl was won by the AFC.
Background
Host selection process
Under a three-year deal that began in 2017, the Pro Bowl will once again be hosted by Camping World Stadium in Orlando.[2]
Side events
The Pro Bowl Skills Challenge was held on January 25 at the Walt Disney World Resort and its ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Game format
Rule changes
The game format was the same as for 2017, highlighted by:
- Forty-four players were assigned to each team, up from 43 in 2016 (a regular game-day active roster has 46).
- The two-minute warning that was given in the first and third quarters (in addition to the second and fourth quarters) in previous years was eliminated, and the ball did not change hands after the first and third quarters.
- The coin toss determined which team was awarded possession first. There were no kickoffs; the ball was placed on the 25-yard line at the start of each half and after scoring plays.
- Defenses were now permitted to play cover two and press coverage. Prior to 2014, only man coverage was allowed, except for goal line situations.
- A 38-second/25-second play clock was used instead of the usual 40-second/25-second clock, and up from 35-second/25-second clock in 2016.
- Replay reviews will be allowed; previously there was replay in the Pro Bowl only when new equipment tests were being conducted.
- There are no intentional grounding rules.
- Only defensive ends and tackles may rush on passing plays, but those must be on the same side of the ball. The defense is not permitted to blitz.
- All blindside blocks and blocks below the waist are illegal.
- A tight end and running back must be in every formation.
- No more than two wide receivers on either side of the ball.
- Deep middle safety must be aligned inside the hash marks.
- Play is stopped the moment a defender wraps his arms around the ball carrier. (This rule only applies to the quarterback in the backfield during regular NFL play.)
Summary
Box score
AFC rosters
The following players were selected to represent the AFC:
Offense
| Position | Starter(s) | Reserve(s) | Alternate(s) |
|---|
| Quarterback | Tom Brady, New England | Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
Philip Rivers, LA Chargers | Alex Smith, Kansas City[3]
Derek Carr, Oakland[4] |
| Running back | Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh | LeSean McCoy, Buffalo
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City | |
| Fullback | James Develin, New England | | Roosevelt Nix, Pittsburgh[5] |
| Wide receiver | DeAndre Hopkins, Houston
Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh | Keenan Allen, LA Chargers
A. J. Green, Cincinnati | T. Y. Hilton, Indianapolis[6]
Jarvis Landry, Miami[7] |
| Tight end | Travis Kelce, Kansas City | Rob Gronkowski, New England | Delanie Walker, Tennessee[8]
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis[9] |
| Offensive tackle | Taylor Lewan, Tennessee
Alejandro Villanueva, Pittsburgh | Donald Penn, Oakland | Russell Okung, LA Chargers[10] |
| Offensive guard | David DeCastro, Pittsburgh
Kelechi Osemele, Oakland | Richie Incognito, Buffalo | |
| Center | Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh | Rodney Hudson, Oakland | | |
Defense
| Position | Starter(s) | Reserve(s) | Alternate(s) |
|---|
| Defensive end | Calais Campbell, Jacksonville[11]
Joey Bosa, LA Chargers | Khalil Mack, Oakland | Melvin Ingram, LA Chargers[12]
Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh[13]
Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville |
| Defensive tackle | Geno Atkins, Cincinnati
Jurrell Casey, Tennessee | Malik Jackson, Jacksonville | |
| Outside linebacker | Von Miller, Denver
Jadeveon Clowney, Houston | Terrell Suggs, Baltimore | Telvin Smith, Jacksonville |
| Inside linebacker | C.J. Mosley, Baltimore | Ryan Shazier, Pittsburgh | Joe Schobert, Cleveland[14] |
| Cornerback | Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville
A. J. Bouye, Jacksonville | Aqib Talib, Denver
Casey Hayward, LA Chargers | |
| Free safety | Eric Weddle, Baltimore | Micah Hyde, Buffalo | |
| Strong safety | Reshad Jones, Miami | | Kevin Byard, Tennessee[15] | |
Special teams
NFC rosters
The following players were selected to represent the NFC:
Offense
| Position | Starter(s) | Reserve(s) | Alternate(s) |
|---|
| Quarterback | Carson Wentz, Philadelphia | Russell Wilson, Seattle
Drew Brees, New Orleans | Jared Goff, LA Rams[17] |
| Running back | Todd Gurley, LA Rams | Mark Ingram II, New Orleans
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans | |
| Fullback | Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco | | |
| Wide receiver | Julio Jones, Atlanta
Adam Thielen, Minnesota | Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
Michael Thomas, New Orleans | Davante Adams, Green Bay[18]
Doug Baldwin, Seattle[19] |
| Tight end | Zach Ertz, Philadelphia | Jimmy Graham, Seattle | Jason Witten, Dallas[20]
Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota[21] |
| Offensive tackle | Trent Williams, Washington
Tyron Smith, Dallas | Lane Johnson, Philadelphia | Andrew Whitworth, LA Rams[22]
Joe Staley, San Francisco[23]
Duane Brown, Seattle[24] |
| Offensive guard | Zack Martin, Dallas
Brandon Brooks, Philadelphia | Brandon Scherff, Washington[25] | Trai Turner, Carolina
T. J. Lang, Detroit
Larry Warford, New Orleans[26] |
| Center | Alex Mack, Atlanta | Travis Frederick, Dallas | | |
Defense
| Position | Starter(s) | Reserve(s) | Alternate(s) |
|---|
| Defensive end | DeMarcus Lawrence, Dallas
Everson Griffen, Minnesota | Cameron Jordan, New Orleans | Michael Bennett, Seattle[27] |
| Defensive tackle | Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia
Aaron Donald, LA Rams | Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay | Mike Daniels, Green Bay[28]
Linval Joseph, Minnesota |
| Outside linebacker | Chandler Jones, Arizona
Ryan Kerrigan, Washington | Anthony Barr, Minnesota | Thomas Davis Sr., Carolina[29] |
| Inside linebacker | Luke Kuechly, Carolina | Bobby Wagner, Seattle | Deion Jones, Atlanta[30]
Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay[31] |
| Cornerback | Patrick Peterson, Arizona
Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota | | |
| Free safety | Earl Thomas, Seattle | Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia | |
| Strong safety | Landon Collins, NY Giants | | Keanu Neal, Atlanta[32]
Harrison Smith, Minnesota | |
Special teams
Notes:Players must have accepted their invitations as alternates to be listed; those who declined are not considered Pro Bowlers.
bold player who participated in game
signifies the player has been selected as a captain
Replacement Player selection due to injury or vacancy
Injured/suspended player; selected but did not participate
Replacement starter; selected as reserve
Selected but did not play because his team advanced to Super Bowl LII (see Pro Bowl "Player Selection" section)
Number of selections per team
American Football Conference| Team | Selections |
|---|
| 10 | | 6 | | 6 | | 6 | | 5 | | 4 | | 4 | | 3 | | 3 | | 3 | | 2 | | 2 | | 2 | | 2 | | 1 | | 0 | | | National Football Conference| Team | Selections |
|---|
| 8 | | 7 | | 7 | | 7 | | 6 | | 5 | | 4 | | 4 | | 4 | | 3 | | 2 | | 2 | | 2 | | 2 | | 1 | | 0 | | | |
Broadcasting
The 2018 Pro Bowl was televised nationally by ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes. The simulcast marked the game's return to broadcast television, as well as its return to ABC for the first time since 2003.[35] To accommodate the return to broadcast television, the game moved from primetime to an afternoon start time to avoid interfering with ABC's Primetime Lineup.
Cheerleaders
All selected in a different way, some by fan vote, some by team vote and some by choice of their director, the 2018 Pro Bowl Cheerleaders were a team composed of only one representative from each NFL team. This elite group of women attended events, performed for fans, and learned new routines all throughout the week leading up to the game. The team performed for the entirety of the game and in the half-time routine with Jordan Fisher.
!Team!Cheerleader| Arizona Cardinals | Nikki |
| Atlanta Falcons | Leslie |
| Baltimore Ravens | Amanda |
| Carolina Panthers | Chanadale |
| Cincinnati Bengals | Kristen |
| Dallas Cowboys | KaShara |
| Denver Broncos | Angela |
| Detroit Lions | Stacey |
| Houston Texans | Lauren |
| Indianapolis Colts | Jessica |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Ginger |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Ashley |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Lauryn |
| Los Angeles Rams | Sativa-Skye |
| Miami Dolphins | Allison |
| Minnesota Vikings | Saral |
| New England Patriots | Victoria |
| New Orleans Saints | Marshe' |
| New York Jets | Kimberly |
| Oakland Raiders | Angel |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Symone |
| Seattle Seahawks | Hailey |
| San Francisco 49ers | Nina |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Chloe |
| Tennessee Titans | Jocelyn |
| Washington Redskins | Kellie | |
External links
Notes and References
- http://www.footballzebras.com/2018/01/18/walt-anderson-referee-2018-pro-bowl/ Walt Anderson is the referee for the 2018 Pro Bowl
- Web site: NFL's pro bowl moves to Orlando. Chicago Tribune. Tronc. December 13, 2016.
- Web site: Alex Smith added to AFC Pro Bowl roster . ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com . January 12, 2018.
- Web site: Raiders QB Derek Carr Selected To Third Consecutive Pro Bowl. Raiders.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Nix is Pro Bowl bound. Varley, Teresa. Steelers.com. January 22, 2018. January 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180124032109/http://www.steelers.com/news/article-4/Nix-is-Pro-Bowl-bound/96cfb9a4-3aaa-407d-936d-9b972cd0b622. January 24, 2018.
- Web site: Walker. Andrew. T.Y. Hilton Selected To Fourth Straight Pro Bowl. Colts.com. January 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180110234242/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/TY-Hilton-Selected-To-Fourth-Straight-Pro-Bowl/e1898aaa-5205-4adf-b1fd-a0ef2016117a. January 10, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry named to Pro Bowl as alternate . Sun-Sentinel.com . January 9, 2018.
- Web site: Delanie Walker in, Travis Kelce out for Pro Bowl. Yahoo.com. January 16, 2018. January 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180117070419/https://sports.yahoo.com/delanie-walker-travis-kelce-pro-223904768.html. dead.
- Web site: Jack Doyle Named To First-Career Pro Bowl. Walker, Andrew. Colts.com. January 21, 2018. January 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180122072756/http://www.colts.com/news/article-1/Jack-Doyle-Named-To-First-Career-Pro-Bowl/910641db-c0ab-4e8e-82f9-a0df01c1b479. January 22, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Russell Okung Named to 2018 Pro Bowl. Elwood, Hayley. Chargers.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Ngakoue and Smith added to Pro Bowl roster. Jaguars.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Chargers OLB Melvin Ingram named to 2018 NFL Pro Bowl . USAToday.com . January 9, 2018.
- Web site: Heyward headed to the Pro Bowl . Steelers.com . January 16, 2018 . January 16, 2018 . Varley, Teresa . https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131412/http://www.steelers.com/news/article-4/Heyward-headed-to-the-Pro-Bowl/8f199f34-9eb1-4162-8ce3-58f4ea53c39d . January 17, 2018 . dead .
- Web site: Joe Schobert added to AFC Pro Bowl team . January 16, 2018 . ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com . January 16, 2018.
- Web site: Titans FS Kevin Byard, ST Brynden Trawick Named to Pro Bowl . TitansOnline.com . January 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180122172949/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-FS-Kevin-Byard-ST-Brynden-Trawick-Named-to-Pro-Bowl/abc5dd0c-cb02-474a-aa59-4a89c13f9f4a . January 22, 2018 . dead .
- Web site: Bengals long snapper Clark Harris selected for Pro Bowl . ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com . January 16, 2018 . January 17, 2018 . Williams, Charean.
- Web site: Jared Goff Named to 2018 Pro Bowl. Simmons, Myles. TheRams.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Packers’ Davante Adams added to 2018 Pro Bowl roster. Western, Evan. SBNation. January 16, 2018.
- Web site: Doug Baldwin replaces Larry Fitzgerald on Pro Bowl roster. Williams, Charean. ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. January 4, 2018.
- Web site: Witten Added to Pro Bowl Roster; Ties Franchise Record With 11 Appearances. Eatman, Nick. DallasCowboys.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Linval Joseph, Kyle Rudolph, Harrison Smith Named to 2018 Pro Bowl. Vikings.com. January 22, 2018. January 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180123023033/http://www.vikings.com/news/article-1/Linval-Joseph-Kyle-Rudolph-Harrison-Smith-Named-to-2018-Pro-Bowl/c52bacec-ad98-41c7-9550-08824eb41d31. January 23, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Andrew Whitworth will go to the Pro Bowl . ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com . Alper, Josh . January 9, 2018.
- Web site: T Joe Staley Named to 2018 Pro Bowl. 49ers.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Seahawks Left Tackle Duane Brown Named To Pro Bowl Roster. Boyle, John. Seahawks.com. January 23, 2018.
- Web site: T.J. Lang named to 2018 Pro Bowl. Twentyman, Tim. DetroitLions.com. January 19, 2018. January 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180120070140/http://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-insider-short/article-1/TJ-Lang-named-to-2018-Pro-Bowl/f5bfe3a6-3288-4d46-b601-6ab699b30681. January 20, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Larry Warford will join Saints coaches at the Pro Bowl. Alper, Josh. ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Seahawks Defensive End Michael Bennett Named To 2018 Pro Bowl Roster. Boyle, John. Seahawks.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Packers DT Mike Daniels named to Pro Bowl . packers.com . January 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180110174514/http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-daily-news-story/article-1/Packers-DT-Mike-Daniels-named-to-Pro-Bowl/fbaa70e1-abd8-4da1-a470-57e55c351414 . January 10, 2018 . dead .
- Web site: Thomas Davis named to Pro Bowl roster. Panthers.com. January 22, 2018.
- Web site: Deion Jones added to Pro Bowl roster . nbcsports.com . January 16, 2018.
- Web site: Kwon Alexander Headed to the Pro Bowl!. buccaneers.com. January 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118033111/http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-smith/Kwon-Alexander-Headed-to-the-Pro-Bowl/3f755251-be4d-4730-ad22-ef537279f50c. January 18, 2018. dead. mdy-all.
- Web site: Falcons' safety Keanu Neal selected to 2018 Pro Bowl roster. Conway, Kelsey. AtlantaFalcons.com. January 22, 2018. January 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180124005708/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/blog/article-1/Falcons%E2%80%99-safety-Keanu-Neal-selected-to-2018-Pro-Bowl-roster/17871302-550e-4068-b9cd-b56f0a9c2543. January 24, 2018. dead.
- Web site: Graham Gano, Trai Turner named to Pro Bowl roster . panthers.com . January 10, 2018.
- Web site: Rams snapper Jake McQuaide named to Pro Bowl for second year in a row . Klein . Gary . January 17, 2018 . Los Angeles Times . en-US . January 17, 2018.
- Web site: NFL’s Pro Bowl Back on ABC. Broadcasting & Cable. May 24, 2017.
