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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
Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

New Orleans Saints

7-10, 4th place in the NFC South

In the team’s first season without Drew Brees, the New Orleans Saints failed to finish above .500. Madden predicts New Orleans will finish fourth in the NFC South.

The biggest focal point is on Jameis Winson, who was tapped as QB1 to replace the legendary Brees. And, well, Madden predicts some big numbers for the former Buccaneers quarterback. Winson is projected to throw for 4,635 yards and 42 touchdowns (third-most in the NFL). But the big numbers don’t just apply to touchdowns. Winston is also projected to finish with the third-highest number of interceptions in the league with 17.

And those turnovers are probably a big reason why Madden expects the Saints to finish in the bottom half of the league in points surrendered (439). The Saints are projected to have the second-worst turnover difference with -7. There was only one other team worse than that but I’ll save that because it’s such a shocking surprise.

If I had to nitpick one thing about the simulation, it’s how Madden doesn’t properly utilize the Saints system, which will almost certainly see more usage out of Taysom Hill. In the simulation, Hill only attempted three passes for 31 yards. I just don’t see that happening.

Another noteworthy stat is the projection for Alvin Kamara. The simulation predicts a 1,000-plus yard rushing season with five rushing touchdowns. He’ll add another 40 receptions for 589 yards and seven touchdowns in the air.

Wide receiver Michael Thomas, who is coming off a disappointing 2020 season filled with injuries, is expected to miss the start of the season. Madden didn’t seem to care though as the simulation predicts 108 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. I just don’t see that happening, despite him being one of the top wide receivers in the league (when healthy).

I actually see the Saints doing better than what Madden predicts. I don’t know if they’ll make the playoffs, but I don’t envision a last-place finish.

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