A Madden NFL 25 simulation predicted the outcome of Super Bowl XLVII, which is a customary thing every year.
The simulation predicted that the Denver Broncos would defeat the Seattle Seahawks in a 31-28 victory that would last until overtime.
Since EA started doing the Super Bowl predictions, it has gone 8-2. The simulation likely uses extensive scouting reports and statistics to come up with accurate models of NFL players in the game.
The first half of the game is characterized as a defensive battle--one in which Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman returns a Peyton Manning interception for a touchdown just before the half ends.
“The defenses of both the Broncos and Seahawks asserted themselves early, as the offenses struggled to score points. Richard Sherman further bolstered his case as the best cornerback in the game, returning an interception for a touchdown just before the half and sending the Seahawks to the locker room with the momentum and a 10-7 lead,” reads a blog posting from EA.
But in the second half, the Broncos’ offense starts gaining momentum.
The conclusion reads: “In addition to winning his second Super Bowl ring Peyton Manning also earned MVP honors on the strength of his 322-yard, three touchdown performance. Demaryius Thomas also had a monster game, hauling in 11 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks’ Marshawn Lynch was the game’s top rusher, gashing the Denver defense for 109 yards and a touchdown.”
As Yahoo’s Ben Silverman notes, Madden’s simulation are sometimes “just freaky good at this.”
Here’s how the past Madden Super Bowl’s went:
-- Super Bowl XLVII
Madden prediction: Ravens, 27, 49ers, 24
Actual outcome: Ravens, 34, 49ers, 31
- Super Bowl XLVI
Madden prediction: Giants, 27, Patriots, 24
Actual outcome: Giants, 21, Patriots, 17
- Super Bowl XLV
Madden prediction: Steelers, 24, Packers, 20
Actual outcome: Packers, 31, Steelers, 25
- Super Bowl XLIV
Madden prediction: Saints 35, Colts 31
Actual outcome: Saints 31, Colts 17
- Super Bowl XLIII
Madden prediction: Steelers 28, Cardinals 24
Actual outcome: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23
- Super Bowl XLII
Madden prediction: Patriots 38, Giants 30
Actual outcome: Giants 17, Patriots 14
- Super Bowl XLI
Madden prediction: Colts 38, Bears 27
Actual outcome: Colts 29, Bears 17
- Super Bowl XL
Madden prediction: Steelers 24, Seahawks 19
Actual outcome: Steelers 21, Seahawks 10
- Super Bowl XXXIX
Madden prediction: Patriots 47, Eagles 31
Actual outcome: Patriots 24, Eagles 21
- Super Bowl XXXVIII
Madden prediction: Patriots 23, Panthers 20
Actual outcome: Patriots 32, Panthers 29
