One of the most accurate Super Bowl predictors is backing up what the oddsmakers are saying: The New England Patriots will be taking home the Lombardi trophy once again.
Electronic Arts’ Madden NFL 18 has made its annual prediction about the big game — and the video game forecasts the New England Patriots will top the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 24-20.
Tom Brady will once again walk away with Super Bowl MVP bragging rights, passing for 342 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, says the game.
If it’s any consolation to Eagles fans, Madden predicts it’s going to be an especially tight game.
Here’s how Madden predicts the big game will play out:
The Eagles will start strong, with Jay Ajayi scoring on the game’s opening drive and the Patriots being contained to a field goal. The game predicts a 10-3 score at the end of the quarter. By halftime, though, the Patriots will be up 17-13, thanks to a pair of touchdown passes to Rob Gronkowski and Brandin Cooks.
The Eagles retake the lead in the third quarter, but the game ultimately comes down to the very last play — at least in the simulation. The Patriots score again in the fourth quarter, putting them in the lead, but the Eagles are threatening late, after safety Malcom Jennings forced New England running back Dion Lewis to fumble. Eagles quarterback Nick Foles passes to Alshon Jeffery for a potential game-winning touchdown with no time remaining — but Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore ruins the play for the Eagles, knocking the ball away.
Eagles fans are already shrugging the prediction off, but Madden has been more accurate than many Vegas oddsmakers over the years. When it misses, though, it really blows it.
Want a little more historical knowledge before deciding how much faith to put into Madden’s prediction? Here’s a look at the game’s full track record to date (with the score in italics when Madden was wrong):
- Madden: Patriots 27, Falcons 24
- Actual Score: Patriots 34, Falcons 28
Super Bowl L
- Madden: Panthers 24, Broncos 20
- Actual Score: Broncos 24, Panthers 10
- Madden: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24
- Actual Score: Patriots 28, Seahawks 24
- Madden: Broncos, 31, Seahawks, 28
- Actual score: Seahawks 43, Broncos, 8
- Madden: Ravens, 27, 49ers, 24
- Actual score: Ravens, 34, 49ers, 31
- Madden: Giants, 27, Patriots, 24
- Actual score: Giants, 21, Patriots, 17
- Madden: Steelers, 24, Packers, 20
- Actual score: Packers, 31, Steelers, 25
- Madden: Saints 35, Colts 31
- Actual score: Saints 31, Colts 17
- Madden: Steelers 28, Cardinals 24
- Actual score: Steelers 27, Cardinals 23
- Madden: Patriots 38, Giants 30
- Actual score: Giants 17, Patriots 14
- Madden: Colts 38, Bears 27
- Actual score: Colts 29, Bears 17
- Madden: Steelers 24, Seahawks 19
- Actual score: Steelers 21, Seahawks 10
- 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
Source: Tech CNBC
Electronic Arts' video game Madden predicts the Patriots will win the Super Bowl this year