A fumble by Cleveland’s Joshua Cribbs late in the third quarter on a kickoff gave the NFC the ball at the AFC 11. Two running plays and a failed pass attempt set up a 26-yard field goal by Blair Walsh 22 seconds into the fourth quarter to make it 55-21 NFC.

But the biggest, most exciting play was one that didn’t count. On the first play of the final period, the NFC faked the field goal, but Thomas Morstead’s intended pass to Pro Bowl MVP Kyle Rudolph was picked off by Eric Berry and returned 86 yards for an apparent touchdown. But the play was called back after New York Jets defensive back Antonio Cromartie was called offsides. The NFC settled for the field goal on the second try.

The AFC scored touchdowns on its next two drives, thanks to rookie quarterback Andrew Luck.

Granted, he fumbled the ball late in the third quarter, but he more than made up for it with two scoring passes to Cincinnati’s A.J. Green.

The first was a 4-yarder that culminated a nifty nine-play, 80-yard drive by Luck.

Along the way, he completed a 39-yarder to Cribbs and a 23-yarder to Green, who had an MVP-like performance, but on the losing team.

The long completion to Green gave the AFC first and goal from the 4. Three plays later, Luck hooked up with Green to make it 55-28 NFC.

But just in case anybody thought the NFC was ready to pack it in, the winning team responded with another touchdown drive of its own.

Along the way, rookie quarterback Russell Wilson completed a 22-yard pass to Victor Cruz. It was the New York Giants’ 10th reception of the game, breaking a Pro Bowl record held by the great Jerry Rice.

It set up a first and goal from the 3, where Minnesota Vikings running back Jerome Felton scored a rare touchdown to increase the NFC’s lead to 62-28 with 7:55 left in the game. Felton usually clears the way for fellow Pro Bowl running back Adrian Peterson, so Felton enjoyed the glory.

Not to be outdone, Luck threw one more touchdown pass to Green, this time from 49 yards out to end the scoring at 62-35 with 5:54 remaining. From that point, both teams let the clock run and enjoyed the moment. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell threatened to pull the plug if there wasn’t some marked improvement from the all-stars after the 2012 debacle. There was, and if the players have any say, the game will return here for 2014 and beyond.