It has been a banner year for offenses across the NFL, thanks in part to high-flying passing attacks led by some of the game's best quarterbacks. The 2012 NFC Pro Bowl roster will feature two record-setting QBs — Green Bay's Aaron Rodgersled the NFL with a 122.5 passer rating, a single-season NFL best, while the 5,476 passing yards by New Orleans' Drew Breessurpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino's record for passing yards in a season.
The 2012 Pro Bowl will also be the first in series history to feature two rookie quarterbacks, Cam Newton of Carolina (NFC) and Andy Daltonof Cincinnati (AFC).
Other quarterbacks taking part in the game includeBen Roethlisbergerof Pittsburgh, who will get the starting nod for the AFC, and Philip Riversof San Diego, who became the third quarterback in NFL history to pass for 4,000 yards in four consecutive seasons (Brees, Peyton Manning).
High scores have been a recent trend at the Pro Bowl. In fact, the eight highest combined scores in Pro Bowl history have all occurred since 2000, including 96 points last year, the second-highest in Pro Bowl history.
Here is a list of the eight highest combined scores in Pro Bowl history:
| Year | Final Score | Points |
| 2004 | NFC, 55-52 | 107 |
| 2011 | NFC, 55-41 | 96 |
| 2000 | NFC, 51-31 | 82 |
| 2010 | AFC, 41-34 | 75 |
| 2008 | NFC, 42-30 | 72 |
| 2002 | AFC, 38-30 | 68 |
| 2003 | AFC, 45-20 | 65 |
| 2005 | AFC, 38-27 | 65 |
Faulk Joins the NFL Network Team
Marshall Faulk, seven-time Pro Bowler and Pro Football Hall of Famer, is joined by Fran Charlesand Tom Waddle on location in Hawaii for NFL Network's live coverage of AFC and NFC practices today from 2:30-5:30 p.m. ET and Saturday from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Practice coverage includes interviews with All-Star players and coaches.
The trio returns on Sunday at 4 p.m. for the live three-hour NFL Total Access: Pro Bowl Pregame which leads up to the 7 p.m. gametime on NBC.
Faulk earned 1995 Pro Bowl MVP honors as a Colts rookie when he set still-standing records for rushing yards (180), longest run from scrimmage (49 yards) and yards per carry (13.9, minimum 10 attempts).
Elder Statesman
Two of the most frequent participants in Pro Bowl history have made the trip to Honolulu once again in 2012: Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez and Denver cornerback Champ Bailey are each poised to play in their 11th career Pro Bowl, which will tie for the third-most in since 1970.
Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel and longtime Kansas City guard Will Shields, who both played in 12 Pro Bowls, have more All-Star appearances during that span.
Gonzalez is also the all-time career Pro Bowl leader in total touchdowns (6), receptions (42) and receiving yards (632). Bailey's four career Pro Bowl interceptions are tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and Everson Wallas for the most in the game's history.
Here's the list of all players with at least 10 Pro Bowl games played since 1971 (number of asterisks indicate number of additional games selected for but did not play in):
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All Hail "The U" Seven players named to the 2012 Pro Bowl roster played collegiately at the University of Miami, more than any other college program. Here is a breakdown of schools with at least four players named to the 2012 Pro Bowl squads:
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