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Just like last year, the year before that, the year before that, and the year before that, EA has used their amazingly realistic and bleeding edge “Madden Engine” to predict the outcome of Superbowl XLII. Actually, as much as I want to bash it, they have been right for the past four years. If you aren’t really a sports fan or, alternatively, have been saving the playoff games on TiVo to watch all in a row before the game starts, the two teams competing are the 18-0 New England Patriots against the road warriors, the New York Giants.

Here is the rundown via EA’s press release, sent earlier today, and a video of the simulation:

The simulated game got off to a very close start with two touchdowns by Patriots running back Laurence Maroney and three field goals by Giant's kicker Lawrence Tynes. Late in the third quarter, the Patriots led by only one, 24-23. They were able to add to their lead with a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to wide receiver Randy Moss. Entering the fourth quarter, the Giants trailed 31-23 with an opportunity to tie-up the game with a big drive. But instead, a tipped pass by quarterback Eli Manning was picked off by Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel. The Patriots scored with their possession from the turnover, increasing their lead to 38-23. The Giants scored one last time and the game ended 38-30.

 

 

Final Score: 38 - 30, Patriots. While it is always interesting to see how close the virtual games are to reality, one must remember that they leave out some details. How will Tom Brady’s ankle be by the time to game begins? Was it ever hurt to begin with? Who are the fans rooting for, seeing as both teams are generally disliked outside of their home towns? Will I decide to get hot or buffalo wings? These questions aren’t even posed in the simulation! 

 

Here is the full press release:

January 31, 2008-Today, EA SPORTS revealed their prediction for the outcome of the highly anticipated Super Bowl XLII game. Based on simulations using the award winning Madden NFL 08 video game, the New England Patriots were victorious over the New York Giants by a narrow margin of eight points with a final score of 38-30. Over the past five years, EA SPORTS has a perfect record predicting the winner of the Super Bowl.


The Madden NFL 08 engine simulated the game based on each team's roster and their players' statistics. Using the most current information available, the Patriots and the Giants went head-to-head in a computer-generated match up. The New England Patriots came out on top, making them the first team in NFL history to record a perfect 19-0 season.


The simulated game got off to a very close start with two touchdowns by Patriots running back Laurence Maroney and three field goals by Giant's kicker Lawrence Tynes. Late in the third quarter, the Patriots led by only one, 24-23. They were able to add to their lead with a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to wide receiver Randy Moss. Entering the fourth quarter, the Giants trailed 31-23 with an opportunity to tie-up the game with a big drive. But instead, a tipped pass by quarterback Eli Manning was picked off by Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel. The Patriots scored with their possession from the turnover, increasing their lead to 38-23. The Giants scored one last time and the game ended 38-30.


Super Bowl XLII kicks off Sunday, February 3rd at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. We will then know whether EA SPORTS has extended their own winning streak using the Madden NFL engine to predict Super Bowl champions.

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