2023 NFL Pro Bowl Games score, takeaways: Kirk Cousins rallies NFC to thrilling comeback win over AFC

Cousins threw three touchdowns in the deciding flag football game

The inaugural Pro Bowl Games had a little bit of everything, from creative skills competitions to three flag football games featuring some of the NFL's best players.

Coached by Eli Manning, the NFC rallied to defeat the AFC squad, which was coached by older brother Peyton Manning. The NFC came out on top after winning the third and final flag football game over the AFC, which came into Sunday with 9-3 lead after winning three of the first four skills competitions that were held on Thursday night. 

Every member of the NFC squad took home $84,000, while each AFC team member received $42,000 for taking part in the festivities. 

Here's a complete recap of what transpired from Las Vegas. 

Cousins leads NFC to victory 

Kirk Cousins, who led several last-minute, game-winning drives for the Vikings in 2022, had one more comeback in him. The veteran quarterback went 15 of 19 for 150 yards and three touchdowns in the third and decisive flag football game, as the NFC pulled out a 35-33 win. 

Cousins' first touchdown strike went to Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown, who earlier in the day had defeated Stefon Diggs to capture the best catch skills challenge. After hitting 49ers tight end George Kittle for his third touchdown, Cousins eluded Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby before throwing a dart to Vikings teammate Justin Jefferson for the point-after. 

Each NFC quarterback was aided by the solid play of 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who caught six passes that included two touchdown catches. 

Carr comes up short 

Derek Carr, who led the AFC to a win in the precision passing skills challenge on Thursday, came up just short in the deciding third flag football game. Carr went 6 of 12 for 104 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in what was his final game at Allegiant Stadium as a Raider. He hit Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase deep for a score before connecting with Bills tight end Dawson Knox on what was the AFC's final touchdown. 

Diggs vs. Diggs  

Trevon Diggs picked off big brother during the second flag football game. It was one of three interceptions during what was a defensive-dominated victory for the AFC. 

The elder Diggs provided the game-winning score moments later after catching a touchdown pass from Trevor Lawrence on fourth down. 

Geno Smith shines 

A first-time Pro Bowler, Smith threw five touchdowns in leading the NFC to a win in the first flag football game of the day. The Seahawks quarterback threw two touchdown passes to CeeDee Lamb that included the game-winning score with one second remaining. Smith went 14 of 16 for 239 yards. Lamb led all wideouts with 102 yards on six catches. 

The AFC received a solid outing in game one from quarterback Tyler Huntley, who threw four touchdown passes that included a pair of scores to Ravens teammate Mark Andrews. 

Hitting, too! 

Sunday's festivities included a solid hit by Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey on Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill after Hill scored on a lateral from Raiders wideout Davante Adams in the first flag football game. Ramsey was flagged for his hit on Hill, who came up with a solid defensive play of his own at the start of the third flag football game. 

Myles Garrett injured 

Not all the news from Sunday's exhibition game was good news. Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett reportedly suffered a toe injury after walking off the field in obvious pain. Garrett had participated in the gridiron gauntlet skills challenge prior to sustaining the injury. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 6:29 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Penalty on Jordan Poyer gives the NFC a win in game three. So the NFC has won the inaugural Pro Bowl games. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 6:25 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Great catch by Kyle Juszczyk. He'll be a big reason why the NFC wins should they hold on here. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 6:20 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

AFC scores but misses its two-point attempt. So NFC still up 35-33 with just over two minutes left. AFC defense will have to come up with a stop. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 6:16 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

NFC extends its lead as Cousins hits Kittle in the end zone. He then scramblers for seemingly 10 minutes before hitting Vikings teammate Justin Jefferson for the conversion. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 6:08 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Cousins with an under hand toss to Kyle Juszczyk for the score. He then fires a bullet to Lamb as NFC takes a 28-27 lead into the final half of flag football. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 6:02 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Carr hits Ja'Marr Chase deep as the AFC re-gains the lead. NFC got away with a hold on the two-point try, so AFC hanging onto a 27-21 lead. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 6:00 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Cousins ties the score after hitting St. Brown, but is unable to hit Kittle on the point-after. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:54 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Defense continues to dominate the third game. Budda Baker picks off Carr after he was pressured again. Carr was trying to hit Chase on the far sideline. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:52 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Tyreek Hill bats down Cousins' fourth down throw, as both teams using receivers as pass rushers. AFC retains the lead. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Kirk Cousins in for the NFC. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:50 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

AFC turns the ball over on their first drive. KaVontae Turpin applied good pressure on Carr on that drive. NFC takes over with a chance to take the lead. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:47 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Here's a look at St. Brown's game-winning catch. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:46 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Derek Carr taking over in game three. The AFC is up 21-15. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:41 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

St. Brown wins best catch, which trims the AFC's lead to 18-15 heading into the final flag football game. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:39 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Stefon Diggs caught two footballs while jumping through smoke. The catches weren't really clean, however, and the judges didn't appear to be too impressed. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:35 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

St. Brown with a nice catch off the trampoline. That catch might be good enough to give him the win. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:30 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Best catch finals underway between St. Brown and Stefon Diggs. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 5:22 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

AFC wins the move the chains skills challenge. AFC is now ahead 24-12 with one more flag football game and one last skills challenge left. So the AFC is going to win as the NFC can only score 9 more points. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 4:59 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Tough break for Myles Garrett: 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 4:51 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Goff completed less than half of his throws for just 44 yards. Lawrence went 6 of 11 for 82 yards with two touchdowns and one pick. Peyton Manning unleashing hometown Raiders Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs and Davante Adams for the third game. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 4:49 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

AFC wins Game 2 18-13 behind great defensive play. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 4:41 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The 45-yard catch by Stefon Diggs may have been the catch of the Pro Bowl. Incredible concentration and great way to make up for his INT from earlier. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 4:39 pm ET · Bryan DeArdo]

Big fourth down TD from Lawrence to Diggs to make up for the pick he threw moments earlier. 

[Feb 5, 2023 at 4:38 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Chiefs have arrived at SB LVII