Tag: 2020 Pro Bowl

2020 Pro Bowl: AFC vs. NFC odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s 2020 Pro Bowl between the best of the AFC and NFC, with NFL betting odds, picks, tips and best bets.

The 2020 Pro Bowl is set for Sunday afternoon at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. Kickoff will be at 3 p.m. ET as the best of the AFC and NFC do battle in the annual exhibition of the NFL’s top talents. We analyze the AFC-NFC odds and sports betting lines, while providing NFL betting tips and advice on the Pro Bowl matchup.

AFC vs. NFC: 2020 Pro Bowl preview, betting trends and notes

  • Six members of the Super Bowl-bound Kanas City Chiefs had been named to the Pro Bowl and were replaced this week. The San Francisco 49ers had four players who needed to be replaced.
  • The Baltimore Ravens, who earned the top playoff seed in the AFC, lead the way with 13 Pro Bowl representatives. Among them is MVP front-runner QB Lamar Jackson.
  • The NFC will be coached by Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll and his staff. The AFC will be led by Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

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  • In addition to the absent Chiefs players, the AFC team needed to make six additional replacements due to injury or the withdrawal of selected players. The NFC needed five extra replacements.
  • Jackson led all players in fan voting. He passed for 3,127 yards and 36 touchdowns against just six interceptions this season, while adding 1,206 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
  • The AFC has won three straight Pro Bowls after the league reverted back to the conference vs. conference format following a three-year experiment with captains.

AFC vs. NFC: 2020 Pro Bowl odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

AFC 28, NFC 20

Moneyline (?)

I’m taking the value with the AFC (-106) as a slight underdog. Despite having to make more roster alterations than the NFC (-115), it will still be led by Jackson, who’ll be keen to put on a show for the fans who made him the top-voted player. He and the rest of the Ravens’ selections will also be trying to put behind them the sour taste of their early playoff exit.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the AFC to win outright would return a profit of $9.43.

Against the Spread (?)

Stick with the moneyline and PASS on the spread with the AFC spotted just 1 point at lower and less-appealing odds (+1, -110). Since 2000, only one Pro Bowl played under the AFC vs. NFC format was decided by a single point. As of publishing, there were no alternate lines available. I’d be willing to back the AFC at a number up to -3.5.

Over/Under (?)

Go with the UNDER 50.5 (-106). Each of the last three all-star exhibitions fell short of this projection, yet it’s the more profitable play with the Over set at a less-rewarding -115. Defense has shone in recent Pro Bowls and we may as well chase value.

Want action on this game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s 2019 NFL betting record: 58-51

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Bobby Wagner will not play in Pro Bowl with knee injury

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner will not play in the Pro Bowl thanks to a knee injury, but it will not require surgery.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner will not play in the Pro Bowl in order to rest his ailing knee, coach Pete Carroll confirmed on Tuesday in an interview with the NFL Network.

“He had something really he didn’t even know he had, found it in the exit interviews that he has a little problem with his knee,” Carroll said. “He’s just going to rest up. He doesn’t have to do anything for it but he needs to miss this game.”

So while Wagner won’t participate on Sunday, it does not sound like the recently discovered injury will require surgery, or that it has any chance of impacting his availability for next season.

Wagner was one of two Seahawks originally selected for the Pro Bowl roster, alongside quarterback Russell Wilson. It was announced on Tuesday that cornerback Shaquill Griffin was added to the roster as a replacement for Saints defensive back Marshon Lattimore.

Seattle’s coaching staff will head up the NFC squad, who will now add Eric Kendricks – the younger brother of Seattle’s own Mychal Kendricks – onto the roster as a replacement for Wagner.

The game will kick off at 12:00 p.m. PT. on Sunday, January 26 in Orlando, Florida.

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Bears OLB Khalil Mack not participating in Pro Bowl

The Bears will be down one Pro Bowler this week in Orlando as OLB Khalil Mack has bowed out of the Pro Bowl.

The Chicago Bears will be down one Pro Bowler this week as the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl festivities kick off in Orlando.

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack will not participate in the Pro Bowl this week. Mack will be replaced by Packers outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith.

Mack has been voted to the Pro Bowl five straight times, and this will be Smith’s first. Mack also made the Pro Bowl last season, in his Chicago debut, and chose not to participate, as well.

The Bears will have three other players representing them at the Pro Bowl. Safety Eddie Jackson, cornerback Kyle Fuller and kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson will be in Orlando for this week’s festivities.

The Pro Bowl will take place this Sunday, January 26 at 2:00 p.m. CT from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. You can watch in on ABC, ESPN and Disney XD.

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Marshon Lattimore backs out of 2020 Pro Bowl, citing injury

The 2020 Pro Bowl roster shook up when New Orleans Saints CB Marshon Lattimore backed out, bringing in Seattle Seahawks CB Shaquill Griffin.

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New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore was initially named a starter on the NFC roster at this year’s Pro Bowl, but he declined an invitation to the game due to an injury. His replacement will be Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin.

Lattimore missed time during the regular season with a hamstring issue, but he played 71 of 79 possible defensive snaps in the Saints’ playoffs loss to the wild-card Minnesota Vikings. It’s unclear what injury is keeping him out of the Pro Bowl, but he should be full-go when the team meets up again for workouts in the summer.

With Lattimore out of the picture, the NFC roster currently features 10 Saints players:

  • WR Michael Thomas (starter)
  • DE Cameron Jordan (starter)
  • KR Deonte Harris (starter)
  • K Wil Lutz (starter)
  • QB Drew Brees (backup)
  • LT Terron Armstead (backup)
  • TE Jared Cook (alternate)
  • LG Andrus Peat (alternate)
  • RG Larry Warford (alternate)
  • RB Alvin Kamara (alternate)

The Seahawks announced the change from their official public relations Twitter account:

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Shaquill Griffin 3rd Seahawk named to the 2020 Pro Bowl

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin has reportedly been named to the Pro Bowl roster, likely replacing Richard Sherman.

Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin has been named to the 2020 Pro Bowl as an alternate, according to a tweet from his agent, Tony Bonagura.

Griffin will join quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner on the NFC squad.

Although it is not confirmed, Griffin is probably replacing Richard Sherman, who will likely forego the game in order to focus on preparing for the Super Bowl as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

Griffin will head to Orlando to participate in the festivities, making this a bit of a homecoming for the University of Central Florida product, whose campus resides in Orlando as well.

Griffin did not record an interception in 2019, a rarity for a Pro Bowl bound defensive back, but he did finish third in the NFL with 14 pass breakups, and his 55.9 completion percentage was among the best marks in the league.

Griffin was one of seven Pro Bowl alternates the Seahawks had, a list that includes wide receiver Tyler Lockett, tackle Duane Brown, running back Chris Carson, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, safety Quandre Diggs and guard Mike Iupati.

Injuries will likely keep the rest of the alternates from accepting an invite, should they be asked, so Seattle will likely settle for three player representatives along with their coaching staff, who will coach the NFC squad against Baltimore’s coaching staff and the AFC.

The game will take place on Sunday, January 26 at 12:00 p.m. PT.

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Bucs LB Shaq Barrett is ready for the Pro Bowl in Orlando

See what Shaq Barrett posted on his Instagram account today as he prepares for the Pro Bowl in Orlando this week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett may not be heading to the Super Bowl in Miami, but he’s ready to suit up for the Pro Bowl this week in Orlando.

The Second-Team All-Pro who led the NFL in sacks this season with 19.5, and also set the Bucs’ single-season franchise record, is likely going to get a big contract from the Buccaneers this offseason, so being a part of the Pro Bowl is really just icing on the cake.

Barrett took to Instagram today to announce his arrival in Orlando. Take a look.

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Von Miller to participate in 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown

Broncos star defender Von Miller is set to compete in the 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown in Orlando.

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is among eight confirmed players who will participate in the 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown next week.

In addition to Miller, Cleveland’s Nick Chubb, Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward, Cleveland’s Jarvis Landry, Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, New England’s Stephon Gilmore, New Orleans’ Cameron Jordan and Detroit’s Darius Slay have also committed to the event.

More players will be announced in the coming days.

The AFC vs. NFC competition will feature “precision passing,” “best hands,” “dodgeball” and more. Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis will serve as one of the team captains for the AFC squad.

The Skills Showdown will air on ESPN on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. MT.

Miller also participated in the Skills Showdown last year. Judging from his passing performance, it’s safe to say Miller’s not going to take Drew Lock’s job anytime soon. He was born to play defense.

Miller and wide receiver Courtland Sutton are the only two Broncos currently set to play in the All-Star Game. Safety Kareem Jackson and returner Diontae Spencer also have a chance to reach the Pro Bowl as third alternates.

The 2020 Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The game will be simulcast on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ABC and Disney XD. Tickets to the game start at $45 on Ticketmaster.

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Zack Martin passes on Pro Bowl, undergoes ankle surgery

The 6-time Pro Bowler will watch someone else take his spot as he recovers from minor ankle surgery, according to the Cowboys.

Guard Zack Martin earned his sixth Pro Bowl trip for the 2020 all-star game, one for each year he’s been in the league. This time around, though, he’ll have to watch from the couch as someone else takes his place.

Martin underwent “minor clean-up surgery” on his ankle this week, the team says. The 29-year-old Notre Dame product was bothered at times this season by ankle and back ailments; the back issue kept him out of the majority of training camp.

But 2014’s 16th overall draft selection started every game in 2019 en route to another All-Pro nod, and has missed just two games in his stellar career. The club expects Martin to be back at full strength for the team’s offseason program.

Larry Worford of the New Orleans Saints will take Martin’s place along the NFC’s offensive line in Orlando, alongside Cowboys Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick.

New events added to Pro Bowl Skills Showdown this year

A number of new events have been added to this year’s Pro Bowl Skills Showdown at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando.

Before the 2020 Pro Bowl kicks off on Sunday, Jan. 26 from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Pro Bowl players will be participating in a number of events throughout the week.

For the fourth year in a row, players will get to showcase their talents in the Pro Bowl Bowl Skills Showdown.

Here are the events for this year’s Skills Showdown, per NFL Communications:

  • Precision Passing presented by Skittles
  • Gridiron Gauntlet presented by Castrol EDGE
  • Best Hands presented by Intuit
  • Thread the Needle presented by Panini
  • Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball presented by Old Spice

The Skills Showdown competition will take place on January 22 at ESPN Wide World of Sports, but will air the following day, on Thursday, Jan. 23 on ESPN at 6:00 p.m. PT.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner were the only team members selected to the Pro Bowl this season. As the NFC team with the best record to lose in the divisional round of the playoffs, the Seahawks’ staff will be coaching the NFC roster.

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Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey won’t play in the Pro Bowl

Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey won’t play in the Pro Bowl

According to Jourdan Rodrigue at the Athletic, Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey won’t be playing in this year’s Pro Bowl after all. He isn’t injured, though. Apparently, the arrival of new head coach Matt Rhule has forced McCaffrey to change his offseason schedule.

NFL teams with new coaches start their programs two weeks earlier, which means everything has to be bumped up including McCaffrey’s recovery.

It’s unfortunate we won’t get to see McCaffrey suit up with the other nominees, but it’s probably for the best. He finished the 2019 season with over 400 touches and the last thing the Panthers need is for him to get banged up playing in a meaningless exhibition game.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara will be taking McCaffrey’s place on the NFC roster.

Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly was also supposed to go. Obviously now that he’s retired he won’t be playing. That leaves right guard Trai Turner as the only player representing Carolina in this year’s game.

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