Dwight Freeney's injured ankle is "really bad" and could keep him out of the Super Bowl, a person close to the All-Pro defensive end told The Associated Press in an e-mail Sunday night. The person requested anonymity because the information differed from what the Indianapolis Colts said earlier in the day.

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Dwight Freeney's injured ankle is "really bad" and could keep him out of the Super Bowl, a person close to the All-Pro defensive end told The Associated Press in an e-mail Sunday night. The person requested anonymity because the information differed from what the Indianapolis Colts said earlier in the day.

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Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub threw two touchdown passes as the American Football Conference all-stars beat the National Football Conference 41-34 on Sunday. Light showers fell for much of the game, stirring memories of a rainy Super Bowl in Miami three years ago, but the weather failed to slow either offense.

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Filed under: Texans, Pro Bowl

Matt Schaub wasn't the AFC's No. 1 option at quarterback for the 2010 Pro Bowl. He wasn't second or third on the list, either. But Schaub took full advantage of falling into a starting spot, winning the game's MVP award.

Schaub was initially the AFC's first alternate at quarterback when the Pro Bowl rosters were released. He claimed a spot on the roster when Patriots QB Tom Brady pulled out of the game citing injury. San Diego's Philip Rivers then withdrew as well, and original starter Peyton Manning was unable to participate because of the Super Bowl.

So that left Schaub to start the game. And he came through with an impressive performance -- 13 of 17 for 189 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-34 AFC win.

 

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Filed under: NFL Analysis, Pro Bowl

MIAMI -- First Down/Fourth Down picks the winners and losers from the 2010 Pro Bowl.

First Down: Aaron Rodgers. This is what it would feel like if he had an offensive line that could keep defenders off of him. Rodgers was 15-of-19 for 197 yards and two TDs in the first half. To make himself feel at home, though, he did manage to take one sack.

Fourth Down: Norv Turner. Chad Ochocinco begged him to let him try a 36-yard field goal at the end of the first half, but Turner refused. In a nifty karmic twist reminiscent of Turner's playoff loss to the Jets, Dan Carpenter (filling in for Nate Kaeding) missed the kick anyway.

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Filed under: Steelers, Pro Bowl

MIAMI -- The Pro Bowl is a meaningless exhibition that is treated more like a joke than a serious football game -- and yet the NFL would never dream of getting rid of it, because it delivers big TV ratings every year.

That paradox of the Pro Bowl -- no one cares, and yet millions watch -- was wonderfully encapsulated in a quote from Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley, describing an interception return that he took to the end zone (though the TD was canceled out by offsetting penalties).

 

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Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning donned a red windbreaker, folded his arms against his chest and mingled coolly among players he's gotten to know over the years. He couldn't have seemed more relaxed. Come next Sunday, he'll likely have a different look. Manning, New Orleans' Drew Brees and the rest of the Colts and Saints picked for the Pro Bowl enjoyed a night off Sunday,…

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Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen says she gave birth to her son in a bathtub and that it didn't hurt a bit. The wife of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady tells Globo TV she wanted to be aware and calm during birth. So she decided to have her boy, Benjamin, at home on Dec. 8. The model says in the interview aired Sunday she "didn't want to be drugged up" when she gave…

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The Indianapolis Colts are maintaining that Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney has a low ankle sprain, not a torn ligament, and that he is still questionable for the Super Bowl. Team spokesman Craig Kelley said Sunday night that Freeney was being treated in Florida. Earlier in the day, ESPN.com reported Freeney was unlikely to play against the New Orleans Saints because of a torn ligament.

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