Blanchard Kicks AFC to Victory

The Indianapolis Colts’ Cary Blanchard, who had missed twice, finally made a 37-yard field goal 8:15 into overtime to lift the AFC to a 26-23 victory over the NFC in the Pro Bowl on Sunday.

Blanchard had missed a 41-yarder that would have won the game four minutes earlier. Carolina’s John Kasay missed three attempts, the last from 39 yards with 11 seconds remaining in regulation.

The best kickers in the NFL were three of eight in the game. But the person who was one for one, 26-year-old Lance Alstodt, may have made the biggest kick of the day.

Alstodt coolly drilled his chance, a 35-yarder at halftime of the game, to win $1 million in a nationwide contest.

Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell, who completed 12 of 22 passes for 236 yards, including an 80-yarder to Tim Brown with 44 seconds left in regulation that tied the score and forced overtime, was named the most valuable player.

“I know there were some guys that were a little upset that it went so long because they needed to catch their flights,” Brunell said.

“I was honored just to be out here with these players, the best in the world, let alone take home the MVP.”

Kasay, the Carolina Panthers’ kicker, missed three of four attempts, but one was a 66-yarder.

Brown had five catches for 137 yards, and St. Louis’ Isaac Bruce had seven receptions for 104 yards for the NFC.

Detroit’s Barry Sanders was the leading rusher with 11 carries for 59 yards, including a six-yard touchdown.

Curtis Martin of New England led the AFC with 13 carries for 48 yards and a three-yard touchdown.

The victory was the AFC’s eighth in 13 Pro Bowls.