Matt Ryan throws two touchdown passes as NFC piles on 55 points against AFC in NFL's Pro Bowl

Adrian Peterson, of the Minnesota Vikings, carries the ball during for the NFC team at the Pro Bowl in Honolulu. Peterson scored a touchdown as the NFC won 55-41. Pic: Kent Nishimura Source: Getty Images

The NFC scored the first 42 points, overwhelming the AFC squad offensively and defensively, picking off passes from Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Matt Cassel in the first half on the way the victory.

Washington's DeAngelo Hall returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and made one of the Nationals' five interceptions as well as a game-high six tackles to earn the Pro Bowl Most Valuable Player award.

The Nationals equalled the Pro Bowl one-team scoring record set by the 2004 Nationals in a 55-52 triumph and seized a 21-20 edge in the all-time rivalry.

Ovie Mughelli scored on a one-yard run and Adrian Peterson, who rushed for a game-high 80 yards on 14 carries, ran 14 yards for a touchdown to give the Nationals a 14-0 lead after the first quarter.

Ryan threw touchdown passes of four yards to Tony Gonzalez and 25 yards to Larry Fitzgerald around Hall's fumble return touchdown and Steven Jackson scored on a 21-yard run to give the Nationals a 42-0 edge.

Jamaal Charles ran eight yards for a touchdown to pull the Americans within 42-7 at half-time. Rivers flipped a 16-yard touchdown to Reggie Wayne and Montell Owens scored on an eight yard fumble return to trim the hole to 42-21.

Rivers hit Marcedes Lewis on a 28-yard touchdown pass to counter two field goals by Nationals kicker David Akers, but Jon Beason returned an interception 49 yards for a touchdown with 3:33 to play to put the Nationals up 55-28.

Cassel threw a seven-yard touchdown passes to Montell Owens and giant centre Alex Mack produced an unlikely touchdown on a 67-yard pass play with two rugby-style laterals with 16 seconds remaining for the final points.

• American Football's Super Bowl will be played next Monday morning Brisbane time between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers.