All Stars defend Pro Bowl despite NFC blowout

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DESPITE the players' best efforts to give the event a more competitive edge, the National Football Conference cruised to a Pro Bowl record 62-35 victory over the American FC in Honolulu on Sunday.

The National Football League season-ending game that features the league's best players not involved in next Sunday's Super Bowl had come under fire for being a glorified exhibition and with its future said to be in doubt, those taking part rallied to raise its profile.

NFC tight end Kyle Rudolph rose to the occasion with 122 receiving yards and a touchdown to grab MVP honors, while rookie quarterback Russell Wilson tossed three scoring passes in a performance he hopes will help secure the game's future.

"I think everyone played really hard," Wilson told reporters.

"Just being around (quarterbacks) Drew Brees, and the Eli and Peyton Mannings of the world is (once in a lifetime). That's why I hope they keep the Pro Bowl. It's special and means something."

The NFC fell 10-14 behind in the second quarter but took control with 28 straight points.

Eli Manning tossed a pair of TDs while Andrew Luck threw a couple of late scores for the AFC and AJ Green caught three in the defeat.

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