The NFL‘s All-Stars who are not injured or competing in the Super Bowl will play in the Pro Bowl on Sunday, February 6, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Pro Bowl always gets a mixed bag of responses and enthusiasm, but NFL fans should care about it.
Here are the reasons why.
3. Players On Different Teams Play Together
Given how transient the NFL is with free agency and trades, fans may catch a glimpse of players who will be future teammates on their favorite teams.
It is also entertaining to watch players who are rivals during the season relax and enjoy the game.
Sometimes former teammates reunite for one special last play together as Peyton Manning and Jeff Saturday did back at the 2012 Pro Bowl.
The moment when Jeff Saturday switched teams to snap it to Peyton one last time in the 2012 Pro Bowl.
That's what the game is all about. (via @NFLThrowback)
📺: #ProBowl — Sun. Feb. 6, 3pm ET on ESPN pic.twitter.com/M4Xz8UMqlB
— NFL (@NFL) January 31, 2022
There is more media access to sideline banter and on-the-field discussions which makes it more fun to watch.
Some argue that the players do not go full speed or strength so it is not a true game, but it is still an interesting game to watch.
Seeing these guys at more human-like speed makes for entertaining television.
No one wants to see a player get a catastrophic injury at the Pro Bowl that could cost them some playing time next season.
2. Pro Bowl Skills Showdown Is Must-See TV
Though it is not the actual game, the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown is comparable to MLB’s Home Run Derby and the NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest.
Fans see players compete in new and interesting ways.
Spoiler alert: this year’s Pro Bowl Skills Showdown already aired on Thursday night, February 3 on ESPN so check for replays or stream it.
The dodgeball game is a fan favorite as it pits AFC vs. NFC players against one another in the game many of us remember from our childhood.
Because these guys are professional athletes, they are more agile at ducking away from the ball and have better hands to catch it.
That’s what happened this year.
.@JJettas2 wins Dodgeball for the NFC with a one-handed catch! #ProBowlSkills pic.twitter.com/vOARcaqu2f
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2022
Justin Jefferson caught the ball coming from Nick Chubb to seal the win for the NFC.
Other fun games include Thread the Needle, Precision Passing, Fastest Man, and Best Catch.
OMG @TREVONDIGGS 😱
📺: #ProBowlSkills Showdown on ESPN pic.twitter.com/hyykW0nR8x
— NFL (@NFL) February 4, 2022
1. Kicks Off An Exciting Week Of Football Coverage
The Pro Bowl is now well-timed.
It kicks off the week of coverage that includes media day for the teams, the NFL Honors award ceremony, and the Super Bowl.
If you are a football fan, you are watching every minute of coverage this week because we are nearing the end of the season and are about to have a months-long football drought.
Before the Pro Bowl was moved, it was the week after the Super Bowl which was very ho-hum.
Even though it was usually set in Hawaii, by that time everyone experienced the fullness of the season culminating with the Super Bowl.
Having the Pro Bowl on the front end of the big week is much smarter scheduling.
The People's Tight End is going to the #ProBowl! 💪
📺: 2022 Pro Bowl — Sunday Feb. 6, 3pm ET on ESPN
TICKETS: https://t.co/QJ6qdfDpx0 pic.twitter.com/I1njGodw9q
— NFL (@NFL) January 31, 2022
Seeing fan-favorite players one more time in 2021 is well worth tuning in for.
Watch the 2022 Pro Bowl at 3:00 PM EST on Sunday, February 6 on ESPN.
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