Madden 23: Our Week 3, 2022 NFL simulation results

Madden 23 – NFL Week 2 Sim – Primetime Games

Our two Primetime games this week certainly don’t lack the potential for drama. We’ve got Jimmy Garoppolo back under center for the 49ers and visiting a Denver team that is a complete joke on offense right now. Will Russell Wilson and the Broncos’ offense finally get it together? Will Garoppolo keep the 49ers’ playoff aspirations alive?

And then for Monday Night Football, we’ve got an NFC East division rivalry game between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. These games are always full of surprises and drama, even if they appear to be a bland matchup on paper. I mean, Cooper Rush leading the Cowboys in a hostile New York environment? Surely the Cowboys don’t stand a chance. But that’s what we thought in Week 2 against the Bengals.

San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (Sunday Night Football)

Sim results: 49ers 38, Broncos 31

With Trey Lance out for the season, veteran Jimmy Garoppolo returns under center for the 49ers and he makes the most of his opportunity. Trailing 31 to 30 in the fourth quarter, Garoppolo led the 49ers to a game-winning touchdown — a 25-yard pass to Jauan Jennings (7 rec., 116 yards, 2 TDs).

The Broncos’ offense also finally woke up from its slump as Russell Wilson threw for 389 yards and three touchdowns. He did, however, throw two costly interceptions. Courtland Sutton had himself another stellar game, catching 8 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown — his second straight game crossing the century mark. Despite recording five sacks, including three from Bradley Chubb, the Broncos’ defense couldn’t quite hold the lead.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (Monday Night Football)

Sim results: Cowboys 3, Giants 27

An NFC East rivalry game on Monday Night Football can only mean one thing — expect something crazy. Although it’s hard to imagine anything crazier than the Giants starting off the season 2-0 and the Cowboys beating the Cincinnati Bengals with a backup quarterback named Cooper Rush.

In any case, Madden predicts a blowout as the Giants cruise to a 27-3 victory. There will be no magic for Rush in this game as he completes just 18-45 passes for 175 yards and four interceptions (a QB rating of just 14.6). With the running game stifled, the Cowboys can’t must any offense. For the second time this season, they are held out of the endzone. On defense, Micah Parsons, who has been an absolute beast this season, is contained with no sacks recorded.

The Giants don’t really look too impressive on offense either. Daniel Jones completes 19-38 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns, but he compiles just an 89.7 QB rating. Saquon Barkley, who has seemingly returned to form this season, is largely held in check with just 57 yards on 20 carries.