Madden NFL 12 (EA Sports)The New England Patriots might be the odds-on favorite to win Super Bowl XLVI, but the New York Giants have proven an uncanny knack for making odds-makers look ridiculous.
And according to Madden, they're about to do it again.
EA Sports has simulated Sunday's Big Game in Madden NFL 12 on the Xbox 360, and in another insane playoff nail-biter, the Giants edged out the Patriots, 27-24, to take home the franchise's fourth Lombardi trophy.
[Related: The most outrageous Super Bowl parties ever]
But forget about the anticipated match-up between Tom Brady and Eli Manning. Like the last two playoff games, this one came down to a field goal. Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes, fresh off demolishing the dreams of San Francisco fans in OT, knocked down a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give the Giants the victory. Wonder if they simulated a virtual Billy Cundiff weeping pixelated tears, too?
The unlikely Giants win almost didn't happen. The Madden simulation saw Brady rally his troops from a 24-10 fourth quarter deficit, throwing for two TDs to tie up the game. But like he's done all year, Manning stormed back during the last Giants possession to set up the game-winning kick. He was also named the game's MVP, finishing 25-39 for 342 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
The annual Madden simulation has proven pretty accurate at picking Super Bowl winners, though it fumbled badly last year in taking the Steelers over the Packers. Still, it's got a track record most gamblers would envy, nailing 6 of the last 8 games:
- Super Bowl XLV
Madden: Steelers, 24, Packers, 20
Actual score: Packer, 31, Steelers, 25
- Super Bowl XLIV
Madden: Saints 35, Colts 31
Actual score: Saints 31, Colts 17
- Super Bowl XLIII
Madden: Steelers 28, Cardinals 24
Actual score: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23
- Super Bowl XLII
Madden: Patriots 38, Giants 30
Actual score: Giants 17, Patriots 14
- Super Bowl XLI
Madden: Colts 38, Bears 27
Actual score: Colts 29, Bears 17
- Super Bowl XL
Madden: Steelers 24, Seahawks 19
Actual score: Steelers 21, Seahawks 10
- Super Bowl XXXIX
Madden: Patriots 47, Eagles 31
Actual score: Patriots 24, Eagles 21
- Super Bowl XXXVIII
Madden: Patriots 23, Panthers 20
Actual Score: Patriots 32, Panthers 29
[Related: Patriots' BenJarvus Green-Ellis has secret to not fumbling]
Here's how it all went down:
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