Tight end Kyle Rudolph entered the celebration of the NFC locker room as the Pro Bowl’s most valuable player following Sunday’s 62-35 victory over the AFC at Aloha Stadium.

But it was his Minnesota Vikings teammate, linebacker Chad Greenway, who clutched the most coveted prize — the only Heineken bottle in the room.

"We both win," Greenway said, smiling. "We’re both winners. I’m excited for Kyle. The first time out here he gets MVP. You can’t do much better."

Rudolph had five receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. He was awarded the accompanying car as a prize, which, he said, he would "ship back to the states."

Despite the Scott Caan-like gaffe, Rudolph was part of a larger victory. The players put on a show that was competitive and entertaining enough to keep alive the Pro Bowl and, most likely, a return to the 50th state.

After the 2012 game — an opera of phantom tackles and blocks — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell threatened to cancel the all-star game unless it was played more competitively. Sunday’s game was the test case.

"It was a better tempo than last year," Greenway said. "I think it was a huge fun game for everyone to watch."

Vikings defensive end Jared Allen said: "I think the guys put it upon themselves to make the effort, not only to protect each other but give the fans what they wanted to see. I think they will keep the game. I think they need to keep it in Hawaii. Move it after the Super Bowl, though."

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who was named an AFC captain, had implored the players to put on a better product during a speech earlier in the week. After the game, Manning flashed a thumb’s up, saying: "I thought it was good. Everybody played hard. That’s what it looked like to me. It was good."

While the game had intensity, the outcome lacked drama. After trailing 14-10, the NFC scored four unanswered touchdowns to seize control.

The NFC found points from multiple sources.

Drew Brees, who started at quarterback for the NFC, was 8-for-11 for 131 yards and a touchdown. Eli Manning threw for 191 yards and two touchdowns. And rookie Russell Wilson, whose magical moves conjured success for the Seattle Seahawks, completed eight of 10 passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns.

On one play, Wilson stepped to his right, pirouetted, rolled to his left, dodged a would-be tackler and fired a 9-yard scoring pass to Larry Fitzgerald.

"It was just Russ," Fitzgerald said. "He was able to make something happen. He eluded the pass rush. He’s a phenomenal quarterback."

Then Fitzgerald turned somber.

"Seeing him play like that made me more sad," Fitzgerald said, "knowing that I have to play against him twice a year every year."

Wilson said: "I tried to extend the play, keep my eyes downfield, and the offensive line gave me enough time to make a decision."

Although the practices were casual — no pads, some wore caps or floppy hats — the key was the camaraderie.

"When you play football for so long, it’s the same game," Wilson said of the limited practice time. "It’s no different."

NFC receiver Victor Cruz of the New York Giants set a Pro Bowl record with 10 receptions (surpassing Jerry Rice’s previous mark of nine).

"That’s big news to be in that company, to be mentioned with a guy like Jerry Rice," Cruz said. "It’s a great feeling."

Cruz celebrated his touchdown catch with his usual dance. Did he consider adding an isle flavor? "I was going to, but I felt it was the first one in Hawaii," Cruz said. "I had to keep it classy. Hopefully, fingers crossed, in years to come I can switch it up a little bit."

Meanwhile, NFC fullback Jerome Felton set a personal record with his 3-yard scoring run.

"I can’t get (a touchdown) in the regular season," Felton said. "I can get one in the Pro Bowl."

Felton helped pave the way for Vikings running back Adrian Peterson’s big comeback year.

"I’m the bodyguard to Adrian Peterson," Felton said.

Prompted by Greenway, Felton said of his touchdown: "You saw I cut back, juked somebody. It was a pretty amazing touchdown. Going back to my college days. You know I used to be a beast. Now I take a back seat to Adrian Peterson. It’s all good."

Meanwhile, if the AFC did not have quarterback Andrew Luck (205 passing yards, two touchdown throws), it might not have had any luck at all.

The AFC turned the ball over four times, including three times in the third quarter. On one of the interceptions, cornerback Patrick Peterson tipped a pass to strong safety William Moore.

"No, I don’t get any credit for the interception," Peterson said, laughing. "I thought I should. Next year, hopefully I’ll be back here and I get some more."

Moore said: "He can have all of the credit he wants. I was looking for him to pitch it back. He was nowhere to be found."

The AFC did have some bright moments. Linebacker Derrick Johnson scored on an interception return for the second consecutive Pro Bowl. Joshua Cribbs, selected as a special teams player, aligned as a receiver and scored a touchdown.

"I told them: ‘I can catch it, throw the ball,’ " Cribbs said.

After the game, in separate locker rooms, the two rookie quarterbacks spoke of continuing the tradition.

"The main reason I hope they don’t get rid of the game is because being a rookie and coming in here and being around Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, there’s no better experience for me," Wilson said.

Luck said: "Having experienced one, I think it’s unbelievable for the players and their families. I think it’s a great chance for the folks of Hawaii to get professional football brought to them. From the players’ perspective, it’s awesome. I don’t know about the (television) ratings or revenue. But from my perspective, I feel very lucky to be here. To be in Hawaii is awesome."