MIAMI — Some thoughts on the NFC’s 41-34 loss to the AFC in the Pro Bowl at Sun Life Stadium:

• Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers completed 15 of 19 passes for 197 yards and two scores as the NFC’s starting quarterback. He said he spent part of the week battling an illness, but added: “Overall, it was a great experience for me.” It was interesting to see Rodgers throw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Philadelphia receiver DeSean Jackson in the second quarter. They would have been teammates for one year at Cal if Rodgers hadn’t entered the draft after his junior season. “I was teasing him after I threw that quick screen for the touchdown,” Rodgers said. “What could have been if I had stayed in my senior year?”
• Jackson caught two touchdowns, including a 58-yarder from Donovan McNabb in which he ran away from the defense on a short screen. “It’s been a dream all year to come out here and put on a show,” Jackson said. The play spurred a discussion on our Pro Bowl live chat: Who was the fastest player on the field Sunday night? Jackson or Tennessee tailback Chris Johnson? On Sunday, it was Jackson.
• Coach Wade Phillips called it a “no-defense game.” The teams combined for 987 yards of offense. “They decided the defense was going to put their hands behind their backs, so you are going to have a lot of scoring. But that is what we wanted to see.” If by putting “their hands behind their backs,” Phillips meant “pass-rushers taking two steps and stopping,” then I understand what he was talking about. Defensive linemen on both teams made almost no effort to get to the quarterback. That always happens in the Pro Bowl, but the level of disinterest was so high that it prompted Green Bay linebacker Nick Barnett to make the following observation via Twitter: “I promise this!! If I ever get in I don’t care what is going on I will play like I always do!! One speed!!! Hard!!!”
• Facing no pass rush, Phillips’ team threw on 48 of 59 plays. That’s a lot.
• Let’s make one exception to the defensive observation: Washington linebacker London Fletcher recorded the tackle on three of the NFC defense’s first four plays, clearly excited to be making his first-ever Pro Bowl appearance. “Guys were saying this should have happened a long time ago,” Fletcher said. “But it was a lot of fun and I’m blessed to have been here.” Unofficially, Fletcher finished second among NFC defenders with five tackles.
• There was a brief downpour prior to the game and misty conditions prevailed for much of the night. But the Super Bowl-ready field held up well and suffered minimal damage, according to players. “The field was great,” Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen said. “It was great. It was wet out tonight, but no one was slopping and sliding.”
• The NFL sold and/or distributed 70,697 tickets, making for the second-largest Pro Bowl crowd ever. There were also 34 players originally named to one of the teams who didn’t participate. In other words, more people watched more backups than at any point in history.
• The Saturday dismissal of Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie had its expected result: Philadelphia’s Jason Peters played the whole game at left tackle and the New York Giants’ David Diehl went the whole way on the right side. McKinnie’s Vikings teammates didn’t have much to say on the matter. “That’s a personal issue for him,” Allen said. “You have to check with him.” Like Allen, tailback Adrian Peterson said he hadn’t spoken with McKinnie. “You guys probably know more than me about the whole thing,” Peterson said.

MIAMI — Jason Witten couldn’t quite handle Tony Romo’s pass in the end zone during the NFC’s 41-34 loss in the Pro Bowl.

Oh, well. No big deal.



This experience was all about having fun, not worrying about anything that happened on the field.



“I love hanging out with the coaches and players, and getting a chance to enjoy some good times together,” Romo said.



Romo completed 13 of 18 passes for 154 yards, with one interception. Teammate Miles Austin caught six passes for 49 yards.



The Cowboys had nine players in the Pro Bowl, plus their coaching staff. They’ll use the coming weeks to recharge and try to build on a good but ultimately unsatisfying season.



“We took a step this year and we have to keep trying to get better every day,” Romo said. “The team understands what it means to take another step, and we’ll do that this offseason.”



That was the focus for Austin as well.



“I’ve got my family here with me — it’s obviously a very important thing to me,” he said. “That being said, I’ve got a lot more work to do to get ready for next year. So, I can enjoy this now, but the goal is really to be playing in the Super Bowl.”

ESPN’s Stephania Bell, a physical therapist and board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, offers her take on Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney’s injury.

MIAMI — It’s sounding more and more like Julius Peppers won’t be back with the Carolina Panthers next season.



Then again, we went through this last year and Peppers ended up staying with the Panthers. This time, though, it sounds pretty serious. Peppers’ agent reportedly said he doesn’t expect his client to stay in Carolina and that there has been no contact with the team since the end of the season. At a Pro Bowl practice Saturday, Peppers told reporters he could end up playing anywhere next year and that he doesn’t have a preference of teams. But he didn’t say anything about staying with the Panthers, and you can probably read a lot into that.



Peppers said he wanted out of Carolina last year, but the Panthers didn’t accommodate him. Instead, they played the franchise tag on him and forced him to stay at a salary of around $18 million. They can use the franchise tag on him again this year, but it will cost more than $20 million.



That price tag might be enough to convince the Panthers to let Peppers go. I still think there’s a chance the Panthers may use the franchise tag on Peppers and trade him before they have to pay him. Wouldn’t it at least make sense to get a few draft picks for a talent like Peppers instead of just letting him walk?

MIAMI — It’s sounding more and more like Julius Peppers won’t be back with the Carolina Panthers next season.



Then again, we went through this last year and Peppers ended up staying with the Panthers. This time, though, it sounds pretty serious. Peppers’ agent reportedly said he doesn’t expect his client to stay in Carolina and that there has been no contact with the team since the end of the season. At a Pro Bowl practice Saturday, Peppers told reporters he could end up playing anywhere next year and that he doesn’t have a preference of teams. But he didn’t say anything about staying with the Panthers, and you can probably read a lot into that.



Peppers said he wanted out of Carolina last year, but the Panthers didn’t accommodate him. Instead, they played the franchise tag on him and forced him to stay at a salary of around $18 million. They can use the franchise tag on him again this year, but it will cost more than $20 million.



That price tag might be enough to convince the Panthers to let Peppers go. I still think there’s a chance the Panthers may use the franchise tag on Peppers and trade him before they have to pay him. Wouldn’t it at least make sense to get a few draft picks for a talent like Peppers instead of just letting him walk?

Suzy Kolber’s questions, Peyton Manning’s answers and Paul Kuharsky’s translations –paraphrased where outside of quotation marks — from ESPN’s pre-Pro Bowl interview:



Kolber: Your tenth Pro Bowl, exciting huh?



Manning: “This is a fun evening. They had six of us fly down here this evening after practice tonight after our practice today in Indianapolis. Getting to see all these guys, these great players, guys that I’ve gotten to know over the years playing in the Pro Bowl, I’ve formed some special friendships with these guys. It’s fun to be here…”



Kuharsky: Can you believe they separated us from our team to come down and wave to the crowd and talk to you? I mean let’s keep this in context. I’ve got a Super Bowl to prepare for and superstitions about actually flying to a big game with the rest of my team.

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Kolber: Jim Caldwell promised a normal week, would you be ready for the Saints tonight?



Manning: “I feel good about our start. I still feel you have to use the entire time to get prepared. It’s important not to peak too early. But because of the schedule down here in Miami once you get down here, it’s important to get your core preparation done during that first week, which we have done. This is a tough team to get to know…”



Kuharsky: Sure we could take them today, but you give us two weeks, we’re not going to be wasting many of the available minutes. We’re pretty studious that way. But I do wish I had a few hours to work on my tan.

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Kolber: Reports aren’t good on Dwight Freeney’s ankle. How much would it hurt to be without him?



Manning: “It’s hard to speculate at this point. Dwight’s one of our best players, we know that. But all season long coach [Jim] Caldwell has talked about picking up the bayonet and if someone is hurt, someone’s got to step up. If Dwight were not to be able to go, that would be tough, but somebody else will step up and we’ll be confident in whoever that is.”



Kuharsky: Raheem Brock, if you’re listening, I’m talking to you. And I know you’ll be ready if Dwight’s not.

MIAMI — Colts fans are longing for the day not long ago when we debated the necessity of the Colts’ Pro Bowlers making an appearance at Sunday night’s game.



Instead, the week-long debate is on as to whether Dwight Freeney will be able to play, and if so how effectively, in Super Bowl XLIV a week from tonight.



John Clayton reported Freeney’s ankle injury was serious and he came to South Florida Friday to ramp up his intensive rehab. Adam Schefter followed that report with one saying that Freeney has torn ligaments. The latest is here.



The team classified him as questionable on Friday. Clayton is viewing him as doubtful.



The Colts would certainly miss Freeney’s threat off the edge. He’s got seven tackles and two pressures in Indianapolis’ two postseason games, but not a sack. Even without putting the quarterback on the ground, he influences what an offense can try to do. He was just named as a defensive end on the NFL’s All-Decade Team and is regarded by many as the best pass rusher in the league right now or even of his generation.



Raheem Brock, the Colts’ versatile third defensive end would be in line to start against the Saints if Freeney can’t go or get the additional snaps if Freeney is limited.



We’ll hit on this more soon, we promise.

MIAMI — Looks like a slick track for Sunday night’s Pro Bowl.



A steady mist is falling on Sun Life Stadium. That could make footing difficult and the crowd even smaller than it was going to be.



A couple dozen NFL coaches are groaning over the possibility of a star player potentially tearing a groin muscle.



Conditions in Honolulu as of this posting? It’s 81 degrees with zero percent chance of precipitation.



But in the comfy confines of the press box, you can join us for the Pro Bowl edition NFL Nation Live at 7 p.m.



Drop by to chat with ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton, NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert, NFC West blogger Mike Sando and I from the game. AFC South potentate Paul Kuharsky will provide his thoughts from his bunker in an undisclosed location, and moderator Emily Schaible will try keep all of us clowns in line.

MIAMI — Seeking snarky commentary during the Pro Bowl?



Sorry, but I’m not a part of ESPN.com’s NFL Nation Live tonight. Perhaps Tim Graham, Kevin Seifert and Mike Sando will be able to give you what you yearn for.



Perhaps Pat Yasinskas and I, granted clemency by our bosses, will join you as questioners, grilling them.



Simply head here shortly before kick.

MIAMI – I’m getting ready to watch the Pro Bowl and will be checking in with any developments involving the NFC South.



Our writers who are covering the Pro Bowl will be chatting on NFL Nation Live during the game. Weather could be a real issue in the Pro Bowl. I’m looking out my window and it’s pouring rain right now.



Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Saints are scheduled to arrive in Miami Monday at approximately 11:45 a.m. Coach Sean Payton and six players will meet the media at about 3:45 p.m. I’ll be out there and will bring you all the latest.