Vincent Jackson was the AFC’s most productive receiver in the Pro Bowl, catching seven passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.
Our View: Jackson’s TD came on a 48-yard bomb from David Garrard in the third quarter and tied the game at 24. It makes you wonder what he would have been able to accomplish if Phillip Rivers had been on board.
Maurice Jones-Drew gained 30 yards on five carries and rushed for a four-yard score in Sunday’s Pro Bowl.
Our View: Along with MJD, Chris Johnson also rushed for a touchdown, and Ray Rice led the AFC’s ground game with 42 yards on seven carries. Most of the damage in the game was done through the air though.
Matt Schaub was 13-of-17 for 189 yards and two scores in Sunday’s Pro Bowl that resulted in a 41-34 win for the AFC.
Our View: Schaub hooked up with old pal Andre Johnson for a 33-yard score and Brandon Marshall for a 23-yarder. Both scores came in the first quarter and propelled the AFC to an early 14-3 lead.
DeAngelo Williams gained six yards on two carries in the Pro Bowl, but scored the NFC’s only rushing touchdown as they fell 41-34 to the AFC.
Our View: The NFC only rushed the ball 11 times all game and their offensive strategy was clearly based on the pass. Williams scored on a seven-yard run in the third quarter, but his other carry went for a loss of a yard.
Aaron Rodgers was the best quarterback in the Pro Bowl on Sunday, completing 15-of-19 passes for a game-high 197 yards and two touchdowns.
Our View: Rodgers was sacked just once and did not have any turnovers. He hooked up with DeSean Jackson and Steve Smith for his two scores and looked just as precise as he did in his game against the Cardinals in the Wild Card round that ended his season.
DeSean Jackson stood out in Sunday’s Pro Bowl, catching six balls for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Our View: Jackson picked up right where he left off in the regular season. He hooked up with teammate Donovan McNabb for one score and the other came from Aaron Rodgers. Looks like it doesn’t matter if the league’s best defenders are covering him. He’s dominant regardless and should be one of the top receivers drafted next season.
According to the National Football Post, Dwight Freeney has a torn ligament in his ankle and is considered questionable for the Super Bowl next Sunday.
Our View: As of right now Freeney has a 50-50 chance of playing next Sunday, but if he is unable to go there will be a tremendous amount of pressure on Robert Mathis to pick up the defensive slack. Freeney is working around the clock to ready himself for the big game, but right now it’s too dicey to make a call on whether or not he will be.
Dwight Freeney (ankle) is facing an “uphill battle” to be ready for Super Bowl XLIV, according to ESPN.
Our View: He is, and will be all week, undergoing intensive treatment on his gimpy ankle, but is said to be struggling with swelling. Expect this to be a very pertinent ongoing storyline in the run up to the big game.
Chiefs defensive back Mike Richardson was arrested in Tampa Bay on Saturday for being in possession of an open container of alcohol in public, according to the Tampa Tribune. The “offense” took place at Tampa’s annual Gasparilla Parade. He was one of over 400 people arrested.
Our View: In the annals of athlete arrests, this one is about as minor as they get. Don’t expect it to be a problem this offseason.
Julius Peppers reiterated on Sunday that he is open to playing anywhere in 2010, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Our View: He says he hasn’t “thought about” where he wants to play next season. Unless the Panthers are willing to pay him over $1 million a game again in 2010 (via the franchise tag), don’t expect it to be in Carolina.