Pro Bowl Games: New Format, How to Watch, and More

The Pro Bowl is back and better than ever (no, really). Here's what to know about the new format and how to stream on Sling TV.

Compared to the All-Star festivities in the MLB and NBA, the NFL Pro Bowl has always felt a little lackluster. But thanks to an all-new format and a little star power, that could finally change this year. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.

When Are the Pro Bowl Games?

The first major change to the Pro Bowl is right there in the title: It’s now the Pro Bowl Games. The new name isn’t simply a cosmetic rebrand; with a series of skills competitions held over two days, this year’s event should be markedly different from the Pro Bowls of the past.
The first day skills challenges will be Thursday, Feb. 2 from 7-8:30pm ET on ESPN. Then one week before the Super Bowl, on Sunday, Feb. 5, the Pro Bowl games continue. Live coverage is once again on ESPN and is scheduled for 3-6pm ET.

How Do I Stream the Pro Bowl With Sling TV?

All ESPN programming – including games airing on ABC – is available on Sling with a subscription to Sling Orange or Orange + Blue. To start your subscription, use the link at the bottom of this page.

What is the New Pro Bowl Format?

The format of the Pro Bowl Games will be different in a variety of ways. First, there are the new skills challenges, which will showcase the Pro Bowlers’ talent on and off the field. Secondly, the Pro Bowl itself will actually be a series of flag football games; three seven-on-seven games to be precise. And finally, the NFL’s best bros – Peyton and Eli Manning – will serve as AFC and NFC coaches, respectively.

Although you may not care about the scores, you’d better believe the players do. To determine a winner, the winning conference in each of the eight skills competitions will earn 3-points, for a total of 24 possible points. The first two flag football games will be worth six points each, and each conference’s total points from the skills competition plus the first two flag football games will be combined ahead of the third flag football game, with the winning conference determined at its conclusion.

What are the New Skills Competitions?

Here are the skills competitions for the Pro Bowl Games. According to NFL.com, Peyton and Eli will be, “responsible for determining which of the 44 Pro Bowl players will take part in each of the Pro Bowl skill competitions and decide the best lineups for the three seven-on-seven AFC versus NFC flag football games.”

Thursday, Feb. 2

• Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball: Four teams of five players, infinite opportunities to get smacked with a rubber ball.
• Lightning Round: 16 players compete in a three-part elimination challenge (Splash Catch is a water balloon catching competition; High Stakes involves catching punts; and Thrill of the Spill is basically a dunking booth) until just one player remains.
• Longest Drive: A longest-ball golf competition.
• Precision Passing: Pro Bowl quarterbacks go head-to-head in a one-minute accuracy competition.
• Best Catch: Four receivers battle in a competition based on creativity, inventiveness, and talent.

Sunday, Feb. 5

• Best Catch finale: The top vote-getters from the first round show out in front of a panel of celebrity judges.
• Gridiron Gauntlet: This one is described as a “side-by-side relay race showcasing strength, speed and agility.”
• Kick Tac Toe: The kicker, punter, and long snapper from both teams compete in a giant Tic-Tac-Toe competition.
• Move the Chains: Four teams compete side-by-side in what’s called a “weighted wall pull that will showcase their strength, speed and ingenuity.”

Who is Playing in the Pro Bowl?

With the Chiefs and Eagles advancing to the Super Bowl, a number of stars will not participate in the Pro Bowl Games (the Eagles led the way with eight Pro Bowl selections, with the Chiefs tied for second with seven). Injuries are another major factor, particularly in the AFC, where four quarterbacks are unable to play. That means Ravens backup QB Tyler Huntley will see action in the Pro Bowl, along with Derek Carr of the hometown Las Vegas Raiders, and Jacksonville gunslinger Trevor Lawrence. Geno Smith, Kirk Cousins, and Jared Goff, who was also named a replacement on Tuesday, will lead the NFC squad. Follow this link for a full look at the Pro Bowl Games roster, along with who is competing in the skills competitions.

https://main--sling--aemsites.aem.page/aemedge/fragments/try-sling-orange