Madden NFL '13 (Credit: EA Sports)Looks like Ray Lewis’ storied career will get a storybook ending after all.
EA Sports just released its annual Super Bowl simulation, and it’s great news for the legendary linebacker. According to Madden NFL '13, the Baltimore Ravens will edge out the San Francisco 49ers by a mere field goal, winning the Lombardi Trophy, 27 - 24.
The Big Game’s a real nailbiter, too. Down 24 - 10 heading into the fourth quarter, 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick rallied his team back into contention with two TDs to tie up the game. But with only two minutes left in regulation, the Ravens marched back into field goal range on the strength of running back Ray Rice, setting up a 40-yarder by Justin Tucker to put Baltimore ahead by three.
The Madden simulation apparently appreciates drama, however, as Kaepernick nearly orchestrated a miracle comeback. Unfortunately for San Francisco, the potential game winning TD pass wound up in the hands of Ravens safety Ed Reed, bringing Baltimore its second Super Bowl win (and bringing Ravens QB Joe Flacco his first Super Bowl MVP award). Check out the game's final moments:
Except it’s just a stupid simulation from a stupid video game, right? This can't possibly be taken seriously, can it?
Actually, it can. When it comes to predicting Super Bowls, Madden's got game.
The football franchise has proven eerily accurate in picking winners over the years, running up an impressive 7-2 record dating back to the Patriots-Panthers matchup in 2003. Though it flubbed Super Bowl XLII by picking the Patriots over the Giants, pretty much everyone outside the five boroughs made the same pick (the Patriots were a 12-point favorite staring down the first perfect season since the 1972 Dolphins.) The year after, Madden made up for it by calling the Steelers victory over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII while coming within two points of nailing the final score. It accurately picked last year's Giants win as well.
It’s just creepy good at this. Check out the franchise's track record:
- Super Bowl XLVI
Madden: Giants, 27, Patriots, 24
Actual score: Giants, 21, Patriots, 17
- 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
Rough stuff for Niners fans, though there might be a smidgen of home field bias at play in this particular prediction. Madden 13's stirring opening sequence is a rousing inspirational speech delivered by none other than...Ray Lewis. Conspiracy!
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