NFL Pro Bowl 2026 Betting Preview and Prediction: Who Prevails in Flag Football?

NFC Roster Analysis

The NFC brings a strong roster that features Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff, and Dak Prescott at quarterback. Stafford gets the start, while Goff and Prescott will follow after the regular season MVP favorite exits the game.

Despite coming up short in the NFC Championship, the Rams’ Stafford had a fantastic season. He proved some doubters wrong and managed to stay healthy while spearheading the Rams’ offense. Stafford passed for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and eight touchdowns in the regular season.

A signature season from MVP Finalist, Matthew Stafford. 🎞️ pic.twitter.com/sN6NqEzqfy

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 22, 2026

He will have the luxury of connecting with WR Puka Nacua, a leading candidate for the Offensive Player of the Year award. Their rapport should translate into a dangerous Stafford–Nacua combo in this flag football format, and it’s hard to see them being slowed down.

Beyond that pairing, the NFC boasts several other high-upside connections. Jared Goff and Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown bring established chemistry, and Goff’s move into the lineup in place of Sam Darnold should benefit the offense. St. Brown, along with RB Jahmyr Gibbs in the passing game, gives Goff multiple dynamic options.

Add in Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, another elite quarterback–wide receiver tandem with the ability to rack up yardage and points, and the NFC offense looks stacked.

Overall, there are multiple strong angles pointing to offensive success for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. Should they be part of your NFL Pro Bowl picks, though? The NFC certainly has a compelling case.

AFC Roster Analysis

The AFC’s Pro Bowl roster is an intriguing mix of talent, headlined by one of the most questionable quarterback selections the game has seen in years. Tyler Huntley going to the Pro Bowl in 2023 was an interesting choice, too, but Sanders might beat it. The injuries are mounting for the AFC, too.

The AFC was in line to give Bills’ QB Josh Allen the start, but he is unlikely to get to San Francisco to play flag football. Allen underwent surgery for a broken foot and is expected to be ready for OTAs. I can’t see him hitting the field for a meaningless flag football matchup.

That leaves Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert as the starter for the AFC. He and Bengals’ WR JaMarr Chase should form a solid connection.

Chase is well-equipped to exploit the NFC’s secondary, and when you add Texans’ WR Nico Collins into the mix, the AFC boasts a dangerous one-two punch at receiver. With that supporting cast, Herbert is also poised for a strong showing.

However, the picture looks bleak for the AFC when you look at who their third quarterback is on the roster. Browns’ rookie QB Shedeur Sanders received the call to replace Patriots’ QB Drake Maye. He will play behind Allen and Herbert on the depth chart.

“How did you make the Pro Bowl with more INTs than TDs?”

Shedeur Sanders: pic.twitter.com/ltzXwm4u5R

— GhettoGronk (@GhettoGronk) January 26, 2026

Is Sanders deserving of this recognition? No — it’s as simple as that. I can only assume that Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence passed on the invite. Sanders threw for just 1,400 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions, completing only 56.6% of his passes. The Pro Bowl is supposed to be about entertainment, and Sanders’ bizarre selection will at least generate some attention.

That said, this is a fun exhibition game, so I don’t expect Sanders to look that bad. There’s not much of a pass rush in flag football, and the pace is much slower. In this setting, Sanders will probably still come up with a highlight throw or two.