Madden 23: Our Week 1, 2022 NFL simulation results

Primetime Games

There are two primetime games this week. On Sunday Night, we’ve got the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Dallas Cowboys. These two teams opened the 2021 season as Tom Brady and the Bucs won a 31-29 thriller over Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. Both teams have come a long way since then. The 45-year-old Tom Brady has had an offseason full of mysterious drama, while the Cowboys have questions marks at offensive line and wide receiver.

For the Monday night game, we’ve got the Denver Broncos traveling to face the Seattle Seahawks. The storyline here is the return of quarterback Russell Wilson to Seattle. Wilson was thraded to the Broncos this offseason for a number of picks, Drew Lock, Shelby Harris and Noah Fant. I don’t think this game will be competitive, but it should be fun to see Wilson torch his old team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys

Sim results: Buccaneers 38, Cowboys 22

Anyone doubting Tom Brady’s commitment to football following his offseason getaway from training camp was quickly put in place as the veteran throws for 345 yards and five touchdowns. Mike Evans torches the Cowboys secondary for 115 yards and two touchdowns while Chris Godwin, Julio Jones and Kyle Rudolph also each catch a touchdown.

Short on receivers, Dak Prescott throws a whopping 57 times, completing 34 passes for 428 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The simulation actually had Michael Gallup starting, which won’t be happening in real life, it’s possible this game could get even uglier for the Cowboys. Tight end Dalton Schultz leads the team in receptions (9) and yards (111). The biggest problem for the Cowboys? Seven sacks given up, including three by rookie Tyler Smith and three by veteran Terence Steele.

Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks

Sim results: Broncos 52, Seahawks 10

Russell Wilson looks sharp in his Broncos debut, completing 30 of 38 passes for 338 yards and four touchdowns. On the ground, Jovonte Williams rushes 11 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns, while Melvin Gordon III rushes 9 times for 43 yards and a touchdown. K.J. Hamler leads the Broncos receivers with 11 receptions, 133 yards and one touchdown. Courtland Sutton also catches seven passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos defense absolutely smothers the Seahawks offense, holding Tyler Lockett to 52 yards and DK Metcalf to 38 yards. Madden predicts this game to be a blowout and I tend to agree with the simulation.