NFC ./AFC . NFL recap on ESPN

Both Tony Gonzalez and Marvin Harrison wore their original numbers, but it was their slippery moves in the receiver-friendly conditions of the Pro Bowl that confused the NFC in the AFC's 38-17 victory before 50,120 at Aloha Stadium.

Gonzalez and Harrison each caught touchdown passes from MVP Rich Gannon to help the AFC take control early. They combined for 11 receptions for 144 yards in the first half alone to spark a 24-3 halftime lead.

Gannon gave way to Peyton Manning after just two series. The Raiders quarterback misfired on only two of his 14 attempts in throwing for 160 yards and two TDs.

"We wanted to go after them and attack and throw the ball downfield," Gannon said. "We were able to do that and just kind of kept after them all day throwing the football."

Gonzalez abused the NFC's linebackers for five catches and 91 yards in the first quarter alone, including a juggling, 8-yard snag for a 7-0 AFC lead. The Chiefs tight end, who frustrated linebacker Jessie Armstead enough to get into a shoving match, eventually drew double coverage, but the NFC still couldn't stop Harrison.

The Colts wide receiver caught eight passes for 84 yards, scoring the first of his two touchdowns on a 16-yard slant from Gannon in the first quarter. He also hooked up with Manning on a 24-yard streak down the left sideline for a 31-10 advantage with 11:10 left in the third quarter.

"Rich and Peyton made some great throws," Harrison said. "Things just really clicked for us today."

Gannon showed no ill effects from Tony Siragusa's belly flop on him in the Raiders' 16-3 AFC title game loss to the Ravens. He played just one quarter before putting on a cap for the rest of the afternoon.

Manning kept things running smoothly, driving the AFC to a 29-yard field goal by Matt Stover and a 10-play, 56-yard drive capped by a 2-yard toss to Jimmy Smith for a 24-3 halftime lead. The NFC's only points of the half came on Martin Gramatica's 48-yard field goal in the second quarter.

"When you've got quarterbacks like Rich Gannon, Peyton Manning and Elvis Grbac, you just have to run your route, get your head turned around and put your hands up," said wide receiver Eric Moulds, who had six receptions for 65 yards.

"Gannon and Manning were on fire," NFC head coach Dennis Green said. "And when you add a Harrison and Moulds on the outside and Gonzalez inside -- and Eddie George and Edgerrin James running the ball -- that's a very tough group to stop."

While the AFC quarterbacks threw at will, the NFC's young guns had trouble finding their groove. Daunte Culpepper and Jeff Garcia combined for just 64 yards on 7-for-18 passing in the first half and each threw interceptions in the second quarter. In all, the NFC was outgained 261-72 in the first half.

Donovan McNabb didn't show any first-time jitters, needing just three plays to direct the NFC to its first touchdown. The Eagles quarterback dumped the ball off to Warrick Dunn for 28 and 13 yards before splitting three defenders with a 17-yard strike to Terrell Owens for a 24-10 deficit just 1:21 into the third quarter.

"Our timing was off a little bit," McNabb said. "But you know what, it's all-star football. You just have to pick up on it (the offense) fast."

Culpepper replaced McNabb two series later and drove the NFC to its second touchdown with a 20-yard strike to Torry Holt to cut the AFC's lead to 31-17 with 3:22 left in the third quarter.

"That was just sheer determination," said Culpepper, who completed only nine of 21 attempts for 81 yards, one TD and an interception. "I had to get some type of highlight."

Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey made things interesting by preventing another AFC scoring drive with a leaping interception of Elvis Grbac at the NFC's 1-yard line. But James' 20-yard touchdown run with 11:19 to play moved the AFC out to a comfortable 38-17 cushion.

Eddie George and Corey Dillon helped secure the victory by running four minutes off the clock on the AFC's next possession. George finished with 31 yards on eight carries as the AFC grinded out 83 yards on the ground to go with its 348 through the air.

"We never gave them a chance," Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson said. "Our team came out and jumped on them and didn't look back."

The victory was the AFC's fifth in the last seven Pro Bowls. The NFC still leads the series 16-15.

"We had 26 players who were here for the first time," Green said. "I think the next time those guys come they'll play better. That was a much more veteran AFC team and it showed."

Game notes
The NFC set a Pro Bowl record with 56 pass attempts, topping the 55 the NFC had in 1993. The combined 98 pass attempts between the two teams was a Pro Bowl record as well, eclipsing the mark of 94 in 1983. ... Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder sprain. ... The NFL continued its boy band promotion by having 98 Degrees perform at halftime. The Backstreet Boys and N'Sync both performed at the Super Bowl last week. ... The Chiefs mascot had one of the more interesting hits of the day, piling on top of security and the fan they were trying to detain in the AFC end zone.

Joe Lago is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.

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AUDIO/VIDEO
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Chris Berman catches up with NFL Pro Bowl MVP Rich Gannon after the AFC's win over the NFC.
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Tony Gonzalez talks with ABC's Melissa Stark after scoring a touchdown in the Pro Bowl.
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ABC's Melissa Stark talks with Lynn Swann at the NFL Pro Bowl.
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