AFC starting QB Ben Roethlisberger connected on touchdown passes of 34 and 74 yards to Cincinnati's A.J. Green and Miami's Brandon Marshall, respectively, as the AFC scored a Pro Bowl record for points scored in a 59-41 win over the NFC in the 2012 Pro Bowl.
Roethlisberger looked much more nimble than he had at the end of the regular season, suggesting his ankle had rested enough where he could look more like the player who earned a Pro Bowl berth, instead of the immobile passer he was at the end of the year.
He hit Steelers WR Mike Wallace for a 25-yard gain on the game's first offensive play. Wallace finished with two catches (both from Roethlisberger on the game's first two throws) for 34 yards.
Marshall was named the game's MVP after his six-catch, 176 yards and Pro Bowl record four touchdowns performance.
Steelers WR Antonio Brown had two catches for 15 yards - a six-yarder from Roethlisberger and a nine-yarder from Chargers QB Phillip Rivers - but had one of the highlights of the game. Brown successfully lobbied to be put in the game as a defensive back, and, ignoring the rule that forbids press coverage in the Pro Bowl, played Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald at the line of scrimmage.
It appeared as if Brown forgot his responsibilities as a defensive back include covering the receiver, and Fitzgerald caught a simple pass from Carolina's Cam Newton for a 36-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Brown gave Fitzgerald a slap on the shoulder pads after the easiest touchdown he's ever scored.
Brown also made a nice play on special teams, taking down Arizona's Patrick Peterson on a kick return in the first half.
FS Ryan Clark, who replaced injured Ravens FS Ed Reed, had four tackles and a forced fumble (despite the broadcasters giving credit to Broncos LB Von Miller), and appeared to tweak his ankle during the game. He returned without consequence.
Steelers SS Troy Polamalu pulled out of the game due to a neck injury, and was replaced by San Diego's Eric Weddle, who had two interceptions.
OLB James Harrison played the entire game at outside linebacker, and was mostly in coverage in the pass-heavy all-star game. Rules force teams to only play in a 4-3 defensive alignment, and Harrison seemed to line up on the strong side of the formation more often than he was on the weak side.