Madden 23: Our Week 1, 2022 NFL simulation results
4:25pm Games
Moving on to the afternoon slate of games, we’ve got four matchups, three of which should prove to be good ones (sorry, Giants/Titans, you didn’t make the cut). We’ve got a pair of divisional games between the Raiders and Chargers in the AFC East and the Packers and Vikings in the NFC North.
The Green Bay Packers are without star wide receiver Davante Adams who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason and reunited with his former college quarterback David Carr. In his place would normally be Allen Lazard, but it seems he’ll miss the game due to injury.
Over in Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes will be without his star receiver Tyreek Hill. He signed with the Dolphins this offseason.
New York Giants at Tennessee Titans
Sim results: Giants 24, Titans 12
Derrick Henry rushes for 135 yards and a touchdown but the Titans offense struggles as Tannehill completes just 53% of his passes for 135 yards and an interceptions. The loss of A.J. Brown definitely hurts as Robert Woods, coming off a torn ACL, catches 3 passes for 40 yards in his place. On the Giants, Daniel Jones, who’s playing in a contract year and on the hot seat, completes 24 of 35 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
Kansas City Chiefs at Arizona Cardinals
Sim results: Chiefs 30, Cardinals 27 (OT)
An overtime thriller ends with the Chiefs kicking a field goal and then stopping the Cardinals on the ensuing drive. After jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, the Cardinals finally wake up. Kyler Murray throws for 339 yards and four touchdowns, but also tosses three interceptions. Tight end Zach Ertz was on the receiving end of two touchdown passes.
Mahomes didn’t exactly light it up on the field without Hill, completing 25 of 37 passes for 258 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Travis Kelce was his main target with 5 receptions and 60 yards. But it was Mecole Hardman who caught the two touchdown passes on four receptions for 25 yards in the game.
Las Vegas Raiders at Las Angeles Chargers
Sim results: Raiders 13, Chargers 34
After jumping out to a 10-0 lead, the Chargers don’t look back as Justin Herbert throttles the Raiders defense. The third-year quarterback goes 17-28 for 246 yards and two touchdowns while Austin Ekeler adds another 93 yards on 18 carries.
The reuniting of Derek Carr and Davante Adams doesn’t result in fireworks on offense. Car completes 19-28 for 196 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Adams catches just three passes for 26 yards.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Sim results: Packers 35, Vikings 28
No Davante Adams? No Allen Lazard? No problem for Aaron Rodgers who throws for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Sammy Watkins (8 rec., 110 yards), Randall Cobb (4 rec., 26 yards) and Amari Rodgers (3 rec., 96 yards) each catch a touchdown as the Packers defeat the Vikings 35-28.
Although the Packers jumped out to a 24-7 halftime lead, the Vikings made things interesting in the end with 21 fourth quarter points. The Vikings actually led at one point in the fourth quarter 28-27, but Rodgers threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Amari Rodgers and then completed the two-point conversion to permanently gain the lead.