Ranking the Pro Bowl Games

The 2024 Pro Bowl Games were held this past Sunday in Orlando, Florida. Not only did players participate in a flag football game, but also various skill challenges. Here’s my ranking of the games from least to most entertaining.

12. Madden NFL Head-to-Head

This challenge isn’t that appealing to me. The network shows around five minutes of this activity before going back to the flag football game. I’d prefer other challenges over watching people play a video game. No disrespect to Madden NFL, an amazing game.

Puka Nacua and Micah Parsons teamed up to take down Tyreek Hill and David Njoku to earn the NFC three points.

11. Kick Tac Toe

While I believe this game has potential, it’s not quite there yet. There are so many challenges that can be made for kickers. I don’t think tic-tac-toe is the most entertaining format to choose. Maybe the NFL should try incorporating a field goal distance challenge.

Justin Tucker defeated Brandon Aubrey to earn the AFC three points.

10. Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball

Who doesn’t enjoy watching a good round of dodgeball? This game could be ranked higher, but I just prefer the other challenges ahead of it. The players also always have fun playing this timeless game.

The NFC and AFC each won a game of dodgeball to earn three points.

9. Snap Shots

Viewers often don’t realize or understand how hard it is to be a successful center or long-snapper in the NFL. That’s why I love that the NFL shows them appreciation by making this skills competition. This game is a little similar to the quarterback accuracy competition except that it’s the long snappers and centers aiming for targets from their stance.

Jason Kelce also had some fun with the game, only going for the 5-point target and not stopping until he hit it.

The NFC ended up winning this challenge anyway to add three points to its total.

8. Closest to the Pin

I always find it exciting to watch athletes try a sport that isn’t their specialty. Players drove golf balls as close to the hole as possible. Some players impressed me in this golf accuracy challenge.

Bryan Anger drove a beautiful shot to win this game and earn the NFC three points.

7. Best Catch

This game reminds me of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The two receivers, Puka Nacua and David Njoku, had three attempts to complete a creative catch that showed off their talent. Fans then voted on the catch that was their favorite.

Unfortunately for Njoku, his plan failed, and he didn’t complete a catch on his first three attempts. Nacua took the win with a very creative catch that incorporated his wakeboard while he was pulled by a boat going 17 miles per hour.

6. High Stakes

I enjoyed this challenge because it showcased the ridiculous hand and concentration skills NFL players possess. Each player started with two footballs while attempting to catch punts from a machine.

Miles Killebrew won this game for the AFC, juggling an unbelievable six footballs at once.

5. Tug-of-War

Just a classic game that everyone has fun watching. It’s interesting to see how the five players on each team work together and what strategy they use.

The NFC won both rounds to earn three points.

4. Move The Chains

Possibly the most creative game on this list, the challenge consists of offensive and defensive linemen working together to move 3,000 pounds of weight off an enormous wall and be the first team to pull that 2,000-pound wall across the finish line. The game displays great strength, teamwork and strategy.

The NFC outmuscled the AFC and earned three points.

3. Flag Football

Not everyone may agree, but I think the NFL made the right decision in 2023 to switch the game to flag football. It’s not like the players were tackling in pads anyway and it’s clear they prefer playing the Pro Bowl without tackling. I also think this style makes the game more entertaining for the fans.

My favorite play was when C.J. Stroud spun out of a sack and made an impressive deep throw off his back foot to Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown.

The NFC won the game 64-59.

2. Precision Passing

One of my all-time favorite challenges. It’s entertaining watching quarterbacks compete in an accuracy competition. Each year, there’s a quarterback who puts on a spectacular performance. This time it was Baker Mayfield who put on a show to win the game for the NFC.

1. Gridiron Gauntlet

To top the list, I have the full-field relay race between six players representing each conference who work their way through a challenging obstacle course. Players go all out for this challenge, they have to climb under doors, break through walls and push a sled across at the end.

The NFC won both rounds of this challenge to earn a whopping six points.

Ashley Beres is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email akb6783@psu.edu.