The 10 most memorable Pro Bowl performances ever

Although its popularity among players seems to be diminishing these days, the NFL Pro Bowl is still an event beloved by football fans. The contest squares up the best players in the NFL against each other in what is a thoroughly entertaining exhibition — well, usually.

At the very least, the Pro Bowl gives football fans something to watch the week prior to the Super Bowl. With that in mind, let’s take a look at 10 of the greatest Pro Bowl performances of all time.

1) Adrian Peterson, 2008

Just making the Pro Bowl as a rookie wasn’t enough for Adrian Peterson in 2008. The Minnesota Vikings running back ran all over the best defenders in the AFC, rushing for 129 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries. Behind Peterson’s running, the NFC made a second-half comeback and defeated the AFC 42-30.

2) Brandon Marshall, 2012

You have to wonder if wide receiver Brandon Marshall may have upped his trade value just a bit with his performance in the 2012 Pro Bowl. Then with the Dolphins, the wideout made six catches for 174 yards and hauled in a touchdown catch in each quarter of the game. For his performance, Marshall was named Pro Bowl MVP as the AFC won. Marshall was traded that offseason to the Chicago Bears.

3) Marc Bulger, 2004

The man who took over for Kurt Warner in St. Louis after the organization's Super Bowl days of the early 2000s, Marc Bulger was no slouch when it came to playing the quarterback position. In the 2004 Pro Bowl, he led the NFC to a 25-point second-half comeback. Completing touchdown passes to Keenan McCardell, Torry Holt, Alge Crumpler and Shaun Alexander, Bulger led the NFC to a 55-52 win. For his efforts, he was named Pro Bowl MVP.

4) Marshall Faulk, 1995

Marshall, Marshall, Marshall! Then Colts rookie running back Marshall Faulk set the all-time record for rushing yards in a Pro Bowl with 180 in 1995. It was made all the more amazing by the fact that Faulk only needed 13 carries to get to that number. With a performance that would be remembered for years, Faulk became the first rookie ever to win Pro Bowl MVP.

5) Randy Moss, 2000

Making the 20-plus NFL teams that passed of drafting him regret their decision even more, former Vikings wide receiver Randy moss had one of the most dominating Pro Bowl performances ever in 2000. Moss had a Pro Bowl record 212 yards on nine catches, including one touchdown. The NFC beat the AFC 51-31, and Moss was named MVP.

6) Steve Tasker, 1993

One of the greatest special teams players in NFL history, former Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Tasker proved he belonged with football’s best in 1993. Tasker garnered four tackles, forced a fumble and blocked a field goal in the AFC’s overtime win in 1993 against the NFC. Although playing on special teams might be considered dirty work, Tasker proved just how much of an impact it can have on a football game.

7) Garo Yepremian, 1974

A former pro soccer player, Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian is best remembered for a botched field goal that turned into a touchdown for the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII. Yepremian also happened to be a pretty good kicker as well, evident by his Pro Bowl performance in 1974. He nailed all five of his attempts, as the AFC beat the NFC 15-13. For the first time in Pro Bowl history, a kicker in Yepremian was named Pro Bowl MVP.

8) Peyton Manning, 2005

Coming off of a season in which he threw for a then NFL record 49 touchdown passes, then Colts quarterback Peyton Manning didn’t slow down in the 2005 Pro Bowl. He threw three first-half touchdowns and helped the AFC gain a lead that it wouldn’t let go of. Manning was named MVP as the AFC won 38-27.

9) Joe Theismann, 1984

Having just won his second NFL MVP, former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann was on a mission to prove he was the best quarterback in the NFL in 1984. He threw three touchdown passes in the 1984 Pro Bowl, as the NFC absolutely dominated the AFC, winning 45-3. For his efforts, Theismann was given another MVP trophy to take home.

10) Sean Taylor, 2006

The 2006 Pro Bowl was largely a forgettable game, except for one single play made by former Redskins safety Sean Taylor. On a fake punt in the third quarter, Bills punter Brian Moorman took off running for a first down. Out of nowhere, Taylor came into the play and made one of the most jaw-dropping hits in NFL history. The entirety of Aloha Stadium needed to take a collective breathe after seeing the hit Taylor laid out on Moorman.

Moorman was fine and even congratulated Taylor on the hit. Tragically, Taylor was murdered in 2008, but his hit of Brian Moorman in the 2006 Pro Bowl will certainly live on in the minds of NFL fans.