What To Look For – 2013 Pro Bowl

HIGH SCORE: It has been a banner year for offenses across the National Football League, thanks in part to high-flying passing attacks led by some of the game’s best quarterbacks. The 2013 Pro Bowl roster will feature two record-setting QBs – New Orleans’ DREW BREES, who became the first player in NFL history to throw 40+ TD passes in consecutive seasons, and Denver’s PEYTON MANNING, whose 12 All-Star selections are the most ever by a quarterback in AFC-NFC Pro Bowl annals.

For the second time in Pro Bowl history – and the second time in as many years – this year’s game will feature two rookie quarterbacks, ANDREW LUCK of Indianapolis (AFC) and RUSSELL WILSON of Seattle (NFC). Luck passed for an NFL-rookie record 4,374 yards this season, surpassing CAM NEWTON’s mark of 4,051 set last year. Wilson had 26 touchdown passes in 2012, tying Peyton Manning’s rookie record from 1998. In 2012, Newton and Cincinnati’s ANDY DALTON became the first pair of rookie QBs ever to play in the same Pro Bowl.

Other quarterbacks taking part in the game include ELI MANNING of the New York Giants, who became the franchise leader in career TD passes this season (211), and MATT SCHAUB of Houston, winner of the 2010 Pro Bowl MVP award.

High scores have been a recent trend at the Pro Bowl. In fact, the nine highest combined scores in Pro Bowl history have all occurred since 2000, including 100 points last year, the second-highest in Pro Bowl history.

The highest combined scores in Pro Bowl history:

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ELDER STATESMAN: A pair of Denver Broncos – quarterback PEYTON MANNING and cornerback CHAMP BAILEY – rank among the most frequent participants in Pro Bowl history and have made the trip to Honolulu once again in 2013.

Playing in his 12th All-Star Game, Bailey will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer RANDALL MC DANIEL and former Kansas City guard WILL SHIELDS for the most All-Star appearances in the history of the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl.

The players with the most Pro Bowl games played since 1971:

Manning, who will play in his 11th Pro Bowl, not only owns several career and single-game Pro Bowl records, he’s significantly ahead in many of those categories. Manning holds the following Pro Bowl records (next closest player in parentheses):

• Attempts, Career: 184 (Dan Fouts, 120)
• Completions, Career: 109 (Dan Fouts, 63)
• Completions, Game: 22 (Joe Theismann, 21)
• Passing Yards, Career: 1,508 (Dan Fouts, 890)
• Passing Yards, Game: 342 (Dan Fouts, 274)
• Highest Average Gain, Career: 8.20 yards per attempt; min. 50 attempts (Rich Gannon, 8.19)
• Passing Touchdowns, Career: 14 (Rich Gannon, 7)

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THREE BY SIX:  Six players each from Georgia, Miami (FL) and Tennessee have been named to the 2013 Pro Bowl roster, tied for the most among college programs. 

Below is a breakdown of schools with at least five players named to the 2013 Pro Bowl squads: