A yearly tradition for over a decade has EA Sports running a Super Bowl simulation within their officially NFL licensed Madden franchise. This year’s simulated game predicts the New England Patriots coming from behind late in the 4th quarter to seal a 27-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI in Houston. Tom Brady is once again expected to win Super Bowl MVP because he’s Tom Brady.
The game was fully simulated using Madden NFL 17’s complex player statics and real-world physics. The match-up proved an exciting and close game, with several lead changes. The Falcons would strike first and dominate in the first half, leading the Patriots 17-10 at halftime. In the 3rd quarter the Patriot defense would find ways to cover Julio Jones and pressure Matt Ryan, letting the offense get ahead 20-17.
But in the 4th quarter the Falcons answered back, retaking the lead as the game became a defensive standoff. With less than four minutes to go, Tom Brady and company put together a tense scoring drive. On 4th down with less than 20 seconds to go, Brady throws a touchdown to Julian Edelman for the game-winner.
That would make for an incredibly exciting game, even if you root against the always-winning Patriots. Brady’s final stats: 30 for 39 with 305 yards and three touchdowns, easily sealing the MVP. Edelman had top receiving honors with 9 catches for 102 yards and the clutch touchdown at the end.
The Madden Super Bowl prediction can be a fun What-If look at the real thing, but it’s also frighteningly accurate – a point that EA Sports is very proud of. To date, Madden NFL has correctly predicted 9 of the last 13 Super Bowl champions. Its scariest prediction came with Madden NFL 15, when the Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 – the exact score of Super Bow XLIX.
Madden NFL 17 is now available in a limited Super Bowl LI Edition for $20 until February 6 on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. Super Bowl LI airs this Sunday at 3:30 Pacific/6:30 Eastern on Fox.
