Another game, another pick for Byron Murphy, Jr.
And this time, it meant six points.
The Vikings cornerback intercepted Patriots QB Drake Maye Sunday afternoon, contributing to the NFC's 76-63 defeat of the AFC in the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games.
Murphy not only shined in his first career Pro Bowl appearance but went on to be named Defensive MVP. Lions QB Jared Goff won Offensive MVP after a three-touchdown outing.
"First Pro Bowl, very blessed. I'm happy to be here," Murphy said during an on-stage interview. "Obviously the defense showed up. My guy Budda Baker got the first pick six, so I had to follow it up and go get another one. The guys on the defense came to play today."
He and Goff lifted a trophy together before joining NFC teammates in celebrating the win. Murphy removed his cleats and autographed them for a youngster, then snapped a photo with the elated fan.
"Just enjoying the moment," he said during a video message for the NFL.
The takeaway by Murphy, who tied for third in the NFL with six interceptions in the regular season, happened on the first play of a fourth-quarter drive. He jogged it 8 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. He then ran and catapulted himself into a large foam pit separating the Tug-of-War platforms.
Murphy was followed into the foam pit by an assembly line of NFC teammates, including fellow Vikings Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard, as well as the Cowboys and Rams team mascots Rowdy and Rampage. Viktor the Viking jumped in from the pit's backside and caught Niners TE George Kittle.
The pick capped off Murphy's all-star weekend in Orlando, during which he had five "tackles" in the Flag Game and also participated in Thursday's Pro Bowl Skills Challenge.
Team NFC led entering Sunday's afternoon of activities, which included the Flag Football Game and between-quarter challenges in which teams could add points: Punt Perfect, The Great Football Race and Tug-of-War. The Flag Game's final score, which is what will be kept historically, was 56-50 (NFC).
Vikings Pro Bowlers Andrew DePaola and Brian O'Neill didn't have a role in the Flag Game as a long snapper and tackle. DePaola helped the NFC win The Great Football Race by snapping into larger-than-life bowling pins, however, and O'Neill showed his strength in Tug-of-War. The latter challenge was set up as best-of-three, but the NFC easily won the first two and put the competition to bed.
"The weight disadvantage and strength disadvantage is significant," quipped former Pro Bowler Jason Kelce, who joined Dan Orlovsky and Scott Van Pelt in ESPN's broadcast booth.
View photos of Vikings QB Sam Darnold, WR Justin Jefferson, OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, OLB Jonathan Greenard, CB Byron Murphy Jr., T Brian O'Neill and LS Andrew DePaola at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Florida.
Marcus Spears, Michelle Beisner-Buck and Laura Rutledge added sideline and on-field commentary throughout the day.
Things got a little silly down the stretch of the Flag Game, with players switching positions and Jaxon Smith-Njigba playing quarterback for the NFC, but athletes showed all afternoon they welcome competition in any form.
Goff, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield served as the NFC's — actual — quarterbacks, while Joe Burrow, Russell Wilson and Maye were the AFC's passers.
Murphy wasn't the only Viking to score during the matchup, either.
Late in the second quarter, Darnold connected with Jefferson for a 3-yard touchdown just a couple plays after hauling in a 21-yard pass. "Jets" made the TD catch in Oakley shades and followed the play by Griddy-ing in the end zone. Cameras panned to show numerous fans in Vikings gear breaking out the SKOL Chant in the stands.
Darnold was 9-of-13 passing for 72 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He was picked off by Baltimore's Marlon Humphrey.
Jefferson finished the day with six catches for 46 yards on six targets; he caught passes from Goff and Darnold. Additionally, Jefferson touched the ball after a lateral by Falcons RB Bijan Robinson, but he didn't gain additional yards on the play.
During a late-game sideline interview with Beisner-Buck, Jefferson was all smiles when asked about the NFC rolling into its third straight win.
"I guess we have a good game plan," he grinned, tipping his cap to NFC Head Coach Eli Manning. "We have some creativity, we have some guys who love working together over here. I guess you can say we're just the better side."
Asked if he feels bad for handing AFC Head Coach Peyton Manning his third loss in as many seasons, Jefferson laughed.
"Oh, no. Never," he said. "You can't feel bad for the other side. We're just gonna continue to win."
