Madden 23: Our Week 2, 2022 NFL simulation results
![INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills at the line against the Los Angeles Rams during the 2022 NFL season opening game at SoFi Stadium on September 08, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills at the line against the Los Angeles Rams during the 2022 NFL season opening game at SoFi Stadium on September 08, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3c5383857339587b9937910118509b1a35f8b42b2155df0a8248bc3d85cffd66.jpg)
Madden 23 – NFL Week 2 Sim – 4pm Games (Cont.’d)
Continuing our later afternoon slate, we’ve got the Bengals visiting the Cowboys. Both teams are coming off Week 1 losses, although the Cowboys feel like they are in true desperation mode with Dak Prescott out for the next few weeks. We’ve also got the Broncos coming off a disappointing Monday Night performance and the Cardinals and Raiders both looking for their first wins of the season.
Cincinnati Bengals at Dallas Cowboys
Sim results: Bengals 24, Cowboys 31
Umm… what? I have no words for this simulation. With Cooper Rush starting at quarterback in place of an injured Dak Prescott, no legitimate receivers outside of Ceedee Lamb, and no offensive line, the Cowboys somehow manage to upset the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rush is effective in replacement of Prescott (23-40, 295 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception), but the true source of the Cowboys offense is Ezekiel Elliott who rushes for 174 yards and 3 touchdowns on 17 carries. It’s a vintage performance by Elliott when the Cowboys need him the most. Ceedee Lamb, who had a Week 1 performance to forget, rebounds with 6 catches, 99 yards and a touchdown.
The Bengals now fall to 0-2 on the season, and that’s now two disappointing losses in a row. Joe Burrow has a solid week, completing 35-55 for 394 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase catches 8 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.
Houston Texans at Denver Broncos
Sim results: Texans 24, Broncos 45
Let’s ride! After a disappointing Week 1 performance, the Broncos’ offense makes a statement against the Texans in Week 2. There will be no last-second field goal attempts here.
Russell Wilson completes 31-42 for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the ground, the two-headed rushing attack of Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon combine for over 100 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. Williams receives the bulk of the work (17 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD), but Gordon also puts up solid numbers (9 carries, 42 yards, 2 TDs).
The Texans do well on offense and Davis Mills doesn’t look that bad in his sophomore season. He completes 28-41 for 363 yards and 3 touchdowns. Brandin Cooks is solid as always with 9 catches for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders
Sim results: Cardinals 28, Raiders 36
This is easily the game of the later afternoon. We’ve got two teams with playoff hopes coming off Week 1 losses. Neither wants to start 0-2.
Derek Carr (21-43, 276 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Davanta Adams (7 rec., 92 yards, 2 TDs), find their groove and lead the Raiders to their first win of the season. Kyler Murray throws for 342 yards but his struggles continue has he completes less than 50 percent of his passes. The Cardinals receivers all put up solid yardage, but the Cardinals’ defense, after allowing the Chiefs to hang 44 on them, looks suspect.