NFC begins running away, thanks to Eli Manning and Co.

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New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz broke free for a 9-yard touchdown reception, giving the NFC the lead for good.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch flipped upside down after a rush.

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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning passed for two touchdowns in the second period, hitting Victor Cruz and Kyle Rudolph and helping the NFC to a 31-14 halftime lead.

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Now we’re talking.

There was a brief battle between the Mannings in the second quarter, with Eli getting the better of it — eventually.

After the NFC took a 10-7 advantage on a 48-yard field goal by Blair Walsh just 6 seconds into the second quarter, Peyton came out for one last drive but could produce no points. He gave way to Houston’s Matt Schaub, but not before brother Eli made some headlines.

The first one suited the AFC just fine, as Eli Manning tried to find tight end Kyle Rudolph on a simple dump route over the middle. Instead, Derrick Johnson of Kansas City snagged it and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown as the AFC took its last lead of the game at 14-10 with 11:14 left in the half.

Eli Manning made up for it the rest of the way as he led the NFC to three unanswered touchdowns. His favorite target on the first scoring drive was New York Giants wideout Victor Cruz, who caught six passes for 55 yards, including a 9-yarder that gave the NFC the lead for good at 17-14 with seven minutes left in the half.

Schaub tried to halt the NFC’s momentum, but threw an interception at the NFC 1 that was returned 27 yards by William Moore of Atlanta with 2:50 left in the half. Manning quickly found Rudolph for 52 yards. Three plays later, a pass interference penalty on Denver’s Bailey gave the NFC the ball at the 1, prompting him to ask referee Ed Hochuli, "Are there penalties in the Pro Bowl?" He assured him there were and Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch scored from the 1 to make it 24-14 NFC with 1:41 left in the half.

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And the NFC wasn’t done yet. A quick three and out by the AFC gave the NFC the ball at its own 29 with 1:08 left in the quarter, plenty of time for Manning and Co. to put another seven on the board.

Once again, Rudolph got things started with a 20-yard completion. Cruz caught one for 11 as Manning methodically led the NFC down the field for a touchdown as he threw a 3-yard scoring pass to Randolph as time ran out in the half to increase the lead to 31-14.

Interestingly enough, the NFC was a three-point favorite early in the week, but by kickoff, the AFC was a one-point choice. Considering how things played out, those who stuck with the NFC were just waiting to make the trip to the window to cash their ticket.