ORLANDO, Fla. — The NFL Pro Bowl Games took over UCF’s campus Thursday, with 88 of the biggest stars in the league competing in the Skills Showdown.

They played many of the games that kids do during recess, such as a relay race and dodgeball. They're just bigger and stronger.

What You Need To Know

  • The NFL Pro Bowl Games got underway Thursday at UCF's Nicholson Fieldhouse

  • Eighty-eight of the league's best players faced off in NFC vs. AFC skills competitions

  • One lucky Bucs fan had their jersey signed by wide receiver Mike Evans

  • The NFC was ahead, 14-7, after Thursday's events

The NFL is all about competition, and the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown that kicked off at UCF's Nicholson Fieldhouse are no different. 

The games ranged from Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff displaying his arm-talent with 44 points in "Passing the Test," to the Bosa brothers, Joey and Nick, going head-to-head in a 40-yard speed walk.

Goff's performance helped the NFC take a 14-7 lead over the AFC on the opening night of the Pro Bowl Games on Thursday night.

Goff, Minnesota's Sam Darnold and Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield easily beat the AFC team of quarterbacks, comprised of the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, the New England Patriots' Drake Maye and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Russell Wilson.

The passing game was the highlight of the six events on opening night. The NFC also won two of three relay races, a skills contest titled “satisfying catches” and a game show for NFL teammates titled “helmet harmony” that somewhat resembled “The Newlywed Game.”

The games are competition everyone can enjoy, NFL Senior Coordinator of Event Presentation Alicia Meyer said.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see 88 of the biggest NFL players in one spot," Meyer said. "It's a culmination of our entire season. They're all coming here [to Orlando]."

Fans from every team in the league filled UCF's Nicholson Fieldhouse, representing hard for their squad.

One lucky fan went home with a Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey signed by wide receiver Mike Evans. 

"The legendary future Hall of Famer, Mike Evans, signed my jersey. My night was made," said Janice Greene, Tampa native and Bucs fan. "What an experience!"

The NFC ruled the night. The conferences split two dodgeball games, and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets gave the AFC a victory in “the big spike” with his powerful throwdown of a football.

But the Pro Bowl Games are still wide open, with more skills competitions on Sunday. Gates will open at noon, and the games will be finished off with a flag football game at 3 p.m. Sunday at Camping World Stadium. Some tickets remain available.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.