NFL Pro Bowl event schedule 2023: Flag football, skill competition games in Vegas explained

Over the last few years, the NFL Pro Bowl has lost some value as many high-profile players have voluntarily withdrawn from the game. The NFL noticed these developments and thought of ways to bring more excitement to its equivalent of an All-Star game. They ultimately developed a new concept, which includes Las Vegas flag football and skill competition games.

So without further ado, let's discuss the schedule for the Pro Bowl and what to expect from the event.

2023 NFL Pro Bowl schedule of events

Thursday, February 2: Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball, Lightning Round, Longest Drive, Precision Passing, Best Catch (First Round)

Sunday, February 5: Best Catch (Finale), Gridiron Gauntlet, Move the Chains, Kick Tac Toe, Pro Bowl Flag Football Game

This year's Pro Bowl will have a different look, as games will be played on two separate days, Thursday, February 2 and Sunday, February 5. On the agenda are various competitions such as dodgeball, precision passing, golf long drive, and best catch.

Sunday will see the return of the Gridiron Gauntlet relay. Fans will also will be treated to a Move the Chains game, a return of Kick Tac Toe and then the 7-on-7 Pro Bowl Flag Football Game, with the AFC taking on the NFC.

Eli and Peyton Manning will coach opposing conferences. Eli will take charge of the NFC, while Peyton will coach the AFC.

Pro Bowl Flag Football game rules and format

Three games will feature seven skill players from each conference facing off against each other. The first two games will be worth six points, while the third and final game to close out the weekend will begin with the score from the previous games and skill competitions.

The games will take on a 7-on-7 format and exclusively feature skill players. The games will be played on a 50-yard field with 10-yard end zones. Furthermore, there is a No Run Zone, where teams cannot execute running plays that start on the opposing five-yard line.

Regarding scoring, TDs are worth six points, but the extra-point tries can be for either one or two points, depending on where the play is run from (as there are no kickers here). The one-point try will be from the three-yard line, while the two-point try will be from the 10-yard line.

New Pro Bowl Skills Competition rules

Following the order of games listed on the Pro Bowl 2023 schedule, here are the contests and rules for the Skills Competition in Las Vegas. Please note that every win is worth three points for the victorious conference.

The Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball Game

· Four teams of five players from both conferences.

· Three-round tournament. The first two rounds will feature AFC Offense versus AFC Defense and NFC Offense versus NFC Defense. The final round will feature the winning team from each conference.

· Standard classic dodgeball rules will be followed.

The Lightning Round (A New Tourney)

· 16 players will compete from both conferences.

· The three-part challenge will bounce players in each part till one remains.

· Part 1 – Splash Catch. A pair of teammates from the AFC and NFC Conferences will toss water balloons back and forth from long distances. Teams will make it to the next round if they complete all tosses.

· Part 2 – High Stakes. Players who advance will attempt to catch punts from a JUGS machine at differing distances and heights. The winners will move on to the final stage.

· Final Part – Thrill of the Spill. Every player remaining will "take aim at targets attached to a bucket hanging above the head of an opposing coach." The first team to successfully dump the bucket on the opposing coach gets the W.

The Longest Drive

· This event has been pre-recorded and will air on Thursday.

· Four Pro Bowlers from both conferences will compete in a traditional golf competition to hit the longest drive.

· All competitors will have three shots at driving a golf ball between boundaries. The longest drive wins so long as it is in bounds.

The Precision Passing Game

· Two QBs and one non-QB will participate in the traditional contest with a one-minute competition based on accuracy as all players throw at targets assigned different point values.

· Targets will be attached to robotic dummies moving across the field.

· After one minute, contestants will have one long-distance throw to try and earn additional points.

· The player who stacks the most points in their granted timeframe wins.

The Best Catch

· Two players from the AFC and NFC Conferences will compete in the competition.

· For the first round on Thursday, the competitors will attempt to show off their best receptions at various spots around Las Vegas. (This will be pre-recorded and aired on Thursday).

· The fans will then vote on the first-round catches to choose the finalists for Sunday's competition.

· In the finals, the last two players will compete in front of judges and be awarded grades based on their best catches. The player who earns the highest grade wins.

The Gridiron Gauntlet

· Six players from both conferences will compete.

· The Gauntlet consists of four parts in a relay race, with each segment being 40 yards.

· The segment comprises breakaway walls, climbing walls, tables to crawl under, tire runs, and a blocking sled with a head coach to cross the finish line.

· The first team to finish the relay wins.

Move the Chains

· Four teams compete, two from each conference, consisting of five players.

· Weighted wall pulls using the first-down chains over 10 yards will be a race to see which team can cross the finish line first. The wall is loaded up with weights.

· Best-of-three playoff format to determine a winner.

Kick Tac Toe

· Punters, kickers and long-snappers will compete in a tic-tac-toe game using their respective disciplines.

· One change from tic-tac-toe, the first team to complete a line OR to fill five squares will win.

All in all, fans are in store for an exciting couple of days of action.