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Source: http://www.gamespy.com/articles/761/761281p1.htmlEarlier this week, EA released a Super Bowl prediction based on an automated simulation using Madden NFL 07. Screenshots and video of the simulation showed that EA used the Xbox 360 version of the game to run their simulation. EA's prediction resulted in an Indianapolis Colts victory, 38-27 over the Chicago Bears. Interestingly, neither of the two next-gen versions of Madden NFL 07, specifically the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game, allow you to run CPU simulations. After contacting EA regarding the subject, we were informed that as they developed the game, the Tiburon team was able to run a simulation scenario that isn't available to consumers who purchased the game. What a rip-off!
We decided to see how we could best run our own Madden Super Bowl simulation, and tried a couple methods. Paper-rock-scissors would work, but then we couldn't give you a point spread. Regrettably, we couldn't get a roster update on our copy of Super Tecmo Bowl, which put it in the same league as the PlayStation 3 version of Madden. As we previously mentioned, we couldn't use the Xbox 360 version or the PlayStation 3 versions of Madden since they don't allow for CPU simulations. The PlayStation 3 version in particular shocked us with a 73 rating for the Bears, while the Xbox 360 and current gen games list them at a heftier, yet still underappreciated ranking in the high 80's.
Our final option was to go to the current gen versions, and so we popped in Madden NFL 07 on the PlayStation 2, and set two All-Pro teams against each other in 10 minute quarters. We'd have gone with 15 minute quarters, but the score would have been even crazier. The Colts had a deciding edge in the team ratings, but would they win this in a landslide?
The final score for our simulation, run on the PlayStation 2 version of Madden NFL 07 was Colts 52 over Bears 20 in a rout. If things follow suit this Sunday, then Peyton will be wearing a Super Bowl ring on his flight back to Indianapolis.
Luckily for Bears fans, football is far more complex than a Madden simulation would make it out to be. Also note that players like the Bears' Mark Bradley and the Colts' Brandon Stokley had significant contributions to our simulation, which isn't likely to be the case this Sunday. None of that's going to happen, so remember that this is all just for fun. Don't go making any calls to your sports book based on this prediction: Here are some of the stats from the game:
Passing:
Colts:
Peyton Manning: 28/55, 588 yds, 6 TDs, 1 Int
Bears:
Brian Griese: 5/7, 78 yds, 1 TD, 0 Int
Rex Grossman: 9/31, 149 yds, 1 TD, 1 Int
Rushing:
Colts:
Dominic Rhodes: 17 rushes for 57 yds, 0 TD
Bears:
Thomas Jones 31 rushes for 142 yds, 0 TD
Receiving:
Colts:
Reggie Wayne: 10 Rec, 228 yds, 2 TDs
Marvin Harrison: 7 Rec, 151 yds, 2 TDs
Brandon Stokley (out on Injury Reserve): 5 Rec, 80 yds, 1 TD
Dallas Clark: 2 Rec, 78 yds, 1 TD
Bears:
Mark Bradley: 8 Rec, 100 yds
Bernard Berrian: 5 Rec, 97 yds, 1 TD
Mushin Muhammad: 2 Rec, 20 yds
Defensive: Colts:
Corey Simon: 2 Sacks
Gary Brackett: 51 yd Int return for TD.
Robert Mathis: 2 Sacks
Freddy Keiaho: 1 Sack
Cato June: 1 Sack (Injured Rex Grossman in the 3rd quarter, taking him out of the game)
Jerome Sapp: 1 Sack
Bears:
Brian Urlacher: Led the team with 11 tackles.
Tommy Harris: 2 Sacks
Nathan Vasher: 1 Int
Ian Scott: 1 Sack
Have a great time watching the game this weekend!
