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Madden 22: Our 2021 NFL season sim results in some wild predictions

By Matthew Liebl

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 27: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium on August 27, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 27: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up prior to the preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings at Arrowhead Stadium on August 27, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Madden 22: 2021 NFL Season Sim
Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers passes during Los Angeles Chargers. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers

3-14, 4th in the AFC West

And finally, we get to the Los Angeles Chargers who, quite frankly, I think will be better than what Madden predicts. The simulation calls for the Chargers to be the second-worst team in the league. Sorry, but that’s not happening, unless they suffer some devastating injuries.

After a tremendous rookie season in which he threw for 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, Madden expects a bit of a regression for Justin Herbert. The simulation predicts him to throw for 4,135 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. I don’t think that’s entirely out of the realm of possibility but I also personally think he’s going to improve rather than regress.

The always solid Keenan Allen put together another steady season with 91 receptions for 1,199 yards. However, he only caught four touchdown passes. Meanwhile, veteran newcomer Jared Cook, coming over from New Orleans, had a tremendous season with 80 receptions for 797 yards and five touchdowns.

The problem with the Chargers was simply finding the end zone. The team had the worst average in the league with 18.6 points per game. That’s worse than the lowly Lions. So why did they struggle so much?

Looking at penalties, it seems the Chargers were the most penalized team in the league with 115 penalties committed. They also had a -6 turnover difference. Penalties plus turnovers spell doom for any offense. Coupled with a porous defense that allowed 465 yards, and it’s easy to see why the Chargers went 3-14 in the simulation.

Regular Season Wrap-Up

There are certainly some surprises with Madden 22’s simulation. The Jaguars sneaking into first place in their division, the Chiefs’ unprecedented 17-0 regular season, the complete meltdown of Aaron Rodgers, the continued domination by Tom Brady at age 45 — if any of these happen in real life we’re in for a heck of an NFL season. Now let’s get on to the playoff simulation!

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