One of the greatest excuses to let the computer play against itself in Madden is so that the game can predict the outcome of real life games. Every year around the game’s launch EA does exactly that for the entire season. Their predictions are often uncannily accurate as last year’s Super Bowl prediction showed by only missing the final score by one point on both sides of the ball.
The game says that the Patriots will return to dominance (and let’s remember they were pretty dominate last season too) with a 14-2 record. Behind them in the AFC will be the other division winners the Steelers, Titans and Chargers. In the NFC we’ll get the Eagles, Falcons, Cardinals and Bears. Nothing too extraordinary in any of those picks, except I think you could swap out the Bears for any team in their division with the amount of suck going in the NFC North. A little surprising that the Eagles will beat out the Giants as well given how much of a darling they are with many sports aficionados. However, the Giants will be getting a wild card slot along with the Colts, Ravens and Panthers.
So, sad to see your team didn’t make it? Since my beloved Redskins are nowhere to be seen I’m going to say that this whole prediction scheme is a boatload of crap. However, if they were listed as one of the division champs I would be saying the exact opposite. The full predictions are after the jump.
EA SPORTS PREDICTS THE UPCOMING NFL SEASON USING MADDEN NFL 10
August 4, 2009 — The 2009 NFL season will, once again, be ruled by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, according to the official Madden NFL 10 Season Simulation. With the August 14th release of Madden NFL 10 less than 2 weeks away, EA SPORTS gazed into the crystal ball to predict the divisional winners and league leaders of the 2009 NFL season.
After missing nearly the entire 2008 season due to an injured left knee, Tom Brady led the New England Patriots to the best overall record (14-2) as he compiled over 4,500 yards and threw for 47 touchdowns – also being named the season MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.
The rest of the AFC played out similar to last season, as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and San Diego Chargers won their divisions, while the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens secured the AFC Wild Card spots. The biggest surprise was the performance of New York Jets rookie quarterback, Mark Sanchez, who took home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. It was not enough, however, as the Jets once again failed to make the playoffs.
In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles returned to prominence, winning the toughest division (NFC East), thanks to a 12-4 record. Andy Reid was awarded Coach of the Year. The Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons prove that last year wasn’t a fluke as they took home their division crowns. The Jay Cutler-led Chicago Bears will also rebound in a big way, taking the NFC North division. The New York Giants and Carolina Panthers grabbed the NFC Wild Card spots.
NFL 2009 Season Awards (as simulated by Madden NFL 10):
- NFL MVP – Tom Brady, New England Patriots
- Offensive Player of the Year – Tom Brady, New England Patriots
- Defensive Player of the Year – Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
- Offensive Rookie of the Year – Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
- Defensive Rookie of the Year – Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins
- Coach of the Year – Andy Reid, Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL 2009 All-Pro Team:
- Quarterback – Tom Brady, New England Patriots
- Running Back
- Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons
- Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
- Wide Receiver
- Randy Moss, New England Patriots
- Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
- Tight End – Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
- Offensive Line
- Matt Light, New England Patriots
- Shawn Andrews, Philadelphia Eagles
- Chris Snee, New York Giants
- Logan Mankins, New England Patriots
- Michael Roos, Tennessee Titans
- Defensive Line
- Trevor Pryce, Baltimore Ravens
- Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens
- Kris Jenkins, New York Jets
- Osi Umenyiora, New York Giants
- Linebacker
- Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
- Channing Crowder, Miami Dolphins
- James Farrior, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Defense Back
- Brandon Meriweather, New England Patriots
- Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders
- Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens
- Donte Whitner, Buffalo Bills
- Kicker – Josh Scobee, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Punter – Brad Maynard, Chicago Bears
- Kick Returner – Devin Hester, Chicago Bears
- Punt Returner – Josh Cribbs, Cleveland Browns
