Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen caught four passes for a game-high 95 yards, helping the AFC to a 26-7 victory over the NFC Sunday in the Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
Allen caught a 50-yard pass from Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the game’s longest play, late in the first quarter, six plays before a 1-yard run by Kansas City’s Anthony Sherman’s 12:54 before halftime increased the AFC’s lead to 14-0.
Allen was among six Chargers playing in the NFL’s all-star game. The others were rookie free safety Derwin James, running back Melvin Gordon, defensive end Melvin Ingram, center Mike Pouncey and Adrian Phillips, a safety chosen as a special teams player.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers was also chosen for the Pro Bowl but withdrew because of an ankle injury.
The Pro Bowl selections are determined by a combination of voting by fans, players and coaches, with each counting one-third for the selections.
Coach Anthony Lynn and his staff coached the AFC team because the Chargers had the better record among the two AFC teams that lost in the divisional round of the playoffs. The NFC team was coached by Jason Garrett and his staff because the Dallas Cowboys had the better record among the two NFC teams that lost in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Mahomes was selected as the offensive MVP for completing seven of 14 passes for 156 yards, including an 18-yard first-quarter touchdown pass to Indianapolis Colts tight end Eric Ebron.
Four Los Angeles Rams were selected to play in the Pro Bowl — defensive tackle Aaron Donald, quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley and linebacker Cory Littleton — but won’t be playing because the Rams won the NFC championship and will be playing in Super Bowl LIII next Sunday.
