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Madden wrong again: Rams beat Bengals in Super Bowl LVI

By Matthew Liebl

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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EA’s claim that Madden is one of the most trusted projections for the Super Bowl may be in jeopardy. For the second year in a row, EA’s simulation of the Super Bowl using the latest Madden video game was incorrect.

Madden 22’s simulation had predicted the Cincinnati Bengals to defeat the LA Rams in Super Bowl LVI, 24-21. While the score was actually pretty accurate, the results were actually reversed. It was the Rams who emerged as this year’s world champions, defeating the Bengals 23-20.

While EA didn’t get too specific with statmlines in their projections, let’s take a look at some of their predictions to see how the simulation fared.

Super Bowl LVI: Madden predictions vs results

EA’s Madden 22 simulation predicted the Rams to lead at halftime by a score of 14-7, with touchdowns from Rams running back Sony Michel and wide receiver Cooper Kupp as well as rookie Ja’Marr Chase for the Bengals.

To be honest, the prediction was actually pretty close. The Rams led at halftime 13-10. Odell beckham Jr. caught a touchdown in the first quarter with Cooper Kupp snagging one in the second. Tee Higgins for the Bengals grabbed a touchdown from Joe Mixon to narrow the Rams lead to three entering halftime.

One thing Madden did correctly predict was a second half comeback for the Bengals. Cincinnati kicked off the second half with an explosive 75-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Tee Higgins. Stafford would throw an interception on the ensuing drive, as madden had predicted, except it wasn’t a pick six by Eli Apple. Chidobe Awuzie’s interception helped setup a 38-yard field goal to give the Bengals a 20-13 lead.

The simulation predicted a 21-21 tie that would be broken with a fourth-quarter field goal from Bengals kicker Evan McPherson. But in real life, it was Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp with the late-game heroics. Aided by some questionable flags at the goal line, Stafford would ultimately connect with Kupp for a touchdown with 1:25 left in the game.

While Joe Burrow and the Bengals started off their final drive hot, their comeback stalled when Aaron Donald’s pressure forced an incomplete pass on 4th and 1 at the 50-yard line. The Rams would be crowned Super Bowl champions 23-20.

Madden’s Super Bowl track record

This is now the second year in a row that Madden has been wrong in predicting the Super Bowl outcome. Last year, Madden had predicted the Chiefs to repeat as champions, but Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had different plans, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.

Despite being wrong two years in a row, Madden still holds a winning record when it comes to its Super Bowl predictions. The video game franchise is now 11-8 in its predictions, but it’s teetering dangerously close to a pedestrian Jeff Fisher-worthy .500 record.

With Super Bowl LVI now in the record books, it’s time to look ahead. NFL free agency begins on March 16 with the 2022 NFL Draft starting on April 28. EA typically reveals the new Madden for year around the NFL Draft, although Madden 21’s reveal came unusually late, with EA holding off the reveal until June.

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