Madden NFL 21: Our Super Bowl LV simulation results
Today’s the day! After 17 grueling weeks for the regular season and then another five for the postseason, the 2020-21 NFL season is about to come to an end. The Kansas City Chiefs are set to meet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV on Sunday, February 7, 2021, and as per usual, we’re here to predict the winner using Madden NFL 21.
EA’s simulation predicted the Chiefs to repeat as champions and while we respect their simulation, we thought it would be fun to conduct our own as well. Madden has been pretty consistent in accurately picking the winner of the Big Game, going 11-5 since 2004. Our simulation last year correctly predicted the Chiefs to beat the 49ers. This year, we booted up Madden NFL 21 to simulate Super Bowl LV, and here are the results!
1st Quarter
The Kansas City Chiefs started the game receiving the kickoff but were held to a quick three-and-out. A solid drive capped off by a two-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady to Rob Gronkowski gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a quick 7-0 lead.
Another failed drive for the Chiefs gave the ball back to the Buccaneers who led with a healthy mixture of pass and run plays. Tom Brady connected with running back Leonard Fournette for an eight-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-0 lead to end the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
Down 14-0, the Chiefs started the second quarter with an interception by Jordan Whitehead, to give Brady the ball at midfield. A defensive pass interference helped set up an 11-yard touchdown pass from Brady to Antonio Brown. Patriots up 21-0.
Midway through the 2nd quarter, the Chiefs finally got on the board with a two-yard touchdown run by Le’Veon Bell. But the celebration was short-lived as the Buccaneers drove right down the field on their next possession to score a two-yard touchdown run by Leonard Fournette to extend their lead to 21 again. The Chiefs would tack on a 41-yard field goal to end the half, making the score 28-10.
3rd Quarter
Picking up things where they left off, the Buccaneers scored on a three-yard touchdown run by Fournette to open the half. And again, the Chiefs could not muster much on offense, punting the ball on their first possession.
A couple of traded possessions helped set up the Buccaneers for some good field possession, allowing Ryan Succop to drill a 29-yard field goal to extend the lead for the Buccaneers 38-10.
4th Quarter
The fourth quarter was more of the same only this time it was LeSean McCoy with the two-yard touchdown run for the Buccaneers. Down 45-10 with just a few minutes to go, the Chiefs finally mustered some offense and Mahomes connected with Sammy Watkins for a 27-yard touchdown. But 45-17 is as close of a game as they’d make it.
Final Results: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 45, Kansas City Chiefs 17
Stats
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tom Brady: 30-45, 328 yards, 3 touchdowns
- Ronald Jones II: 19 attempts, 68 yards
- Leonard Fournette: 12 attempts, 40 yards, 2 touchdowns
- LeSean McCoy: 3 attempts, 7 yards, 1 touchdown
- Rob Gronkowski: 10 receptions, 106 yards, 1 touchdown
- Antonio Brown: 6 receptions, 46 yards, 1 touchdown
- Chris Godwin: 6 receptions, 77 yards
- Mike Evans: 4 receptions, 47 yards
Kansas City Chiefs
- Patrick Mahomes: 23-35, 245 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
- Le’Veon Bell: 6 attempts, 17 yards, 1 touchdown
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire: 4 attempts, 20 yards
- Sammy Watkins: 7 receptions, 84 yards, 1 touchdown
- Mecole Hardman: 5 receptions, 57 yards
- Tyreek Hill: 5 receptions, 38 yards
Our thoughts
Sorry Buccaneers fans, but I just don’t see this one playing out like this. If Tampa Bay is to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, it will likely be by a much closer score — not a complete blow out as our simulation predicts.
This statline just seems so out of whack. Mahomes just 245 yards and one touchdown? Unlikely. Tyreek Hill limited to just 38 yards? Doubtful. You know there’s going to be at least one play where he explodes for a huge gain.
I think a score more in line with EA’s simulation is more likely to be the outcome.