If the timing on the AFC's first touchdown looked like a product of a long-time working relationship between quarterback Peyton Manning and tight end Tony Gonzalez, it's probably because it was.

The 19-yard first quarter score reunited two players for their ninth postseason.

The Indianapolis Colts' Manning and the Kansas City Chiefs' Gonzalez have formed a bond in their enduring Pro Bowl years.

"We've been doing this for so long, it gets easy after a while," said Gonzalez, who has five Pro Bowl touchdown catches, tying a record shared with Marvin Harrison and Jimmy Smith.

Gonzalez, who has dropped hints he may want out of Kansas City, smiled when asked if he'd like to maintain their relationship in the regular season. He declined comment, but effusively praised Manning.

"We both came out of high school the same year (1994) and I remember reading in the high school magazines about this quarterback from Louisiana," Gonzalez said. "When I saw him play (in college) I knew he was something special. But I never imagined playing with him for nine years."

Manning added: "If you can't hit Tony Gonzalez in stride, something is wrong with you (as a quarterback). There is a reason he's here every year."

CROWD FALLS SHORT

The announced crowd of 49,958 was only the second under 50,000 since 1995 and the smallest since that year, when the attendance was listed at 49,121.

The NFL held the threat of a local TV blackout until Saturday if the game was not sold out.

Every game since the 1983 edition (1982 strike season) has been shown live locally.

The attendance for the 1983 game was listed as 49,883, though actual turnstile was 47,201. A turnstile figure was not provided yesterday and several areas were sparsely populated.

CAPTAINS ANSWER CALL

The AFC team captains were punter Shane Lechler, quarterback Peyton Manning, linebackers Troy Polamalu, James Farrior and Ray Lewis, and tight end Tony Gonzalez. The NFC team captains were quarterback Kurt Warner, safety Adrian Wilson, linebacker Patrick Willis and center Andre Gurode. All met at midfield for the coin toss.

FAVRE AMONG INACTIVE

Both squads listed six players as "will not play, injury/personal reasons." Among the notable players who were named to the Pro Bowl, but didn't play were Green Bay defensive back Charles Woodson and New York Jets quarterback Brett Favre.

HALL OF FAMERS HONORED

The six players who will be inducted into the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame were honored before the game. They are offensive lineman Randall McDaniel, defensive end Bruce Smith, defensive back Rod Woodson, Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr., wide receiver Bob Hayes and linebacker Derrick Thomas. Hayes and Thomas will be inducted posthumously.

IDOL WORSHIPPING

American Idol finalist David Archuleta sang the national anthem, and the halftime entertainment was provided by recording artists Enrique Iglesias and Ciara.