As the guy who plays the most sports games around here, I am contractually obligated to tell you about the Madden NFL Super Bowl simulation. EA's game is predicting a slim margin of victory for the Seahawks, a 23-20 win over the resurgent New England Patriots.
EA's football sim has correctly predicted the past two winners, so make of that what you will. Whatever happens, we'll have a brand new world champion as the Philadelphia Eagles and Madden 26 cover star Saquon Barkley didn't make it back. (Madden Curse, cough cough) Here's the stats, the way Madden sees them:
Super Bowl LX Most Valuable Player
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks quarterback, with 26 completions on 36 attempts, 289 pass yards, two touchdown passes, and zero interceptions
Key Impact Performances
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seahawks wide receiver with six receptions, 84 receiving yards, and one touchdown
Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks running back with 19 carries, 76 rush yards, four receptions for 41 receiving yards, and the game-winning touchdown
Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots wide receiver with five receptions, 72 rec yards, and one touchdown
Key Offensive Storylines:
Coin Toss: Seattle wins toss, electing to receive the opening kick.
First Touchdown: Darnold starts hot and connects with Smith-Njigba for an early score, and finds WR Cooper Kupp for another touchdown early in the second quarter.
Halftime: New England starts slow, held to just three points in the first half, converting a much-needed field goal before the break.
Second-Half Momentum Shift: The Patriots make adjustments in the locker room, Drake Maye connects with Kayshon Boutte in the end zone, giving New England a needed spark. Then, a Seattle fumble gets scooped up and returned for six points by Patriots defender Christian Gonzalez, allowing the Patriots to take a 3-point lead in the fourth quarter.
The Final Drive: After a strong second-half comeback, New England is forced to punt back to Seattle with only 42 seconds to play, in hopes their defense can make one more stop. Darnold then orchestrates a legacy, MVP-solidifying drive to give the Seahawks a chance to go for the win, rather than a field goal to tie, on the heels of a solid Rashid Shaheed punt return.
The Walk-Off: It all comes down to one final play from inside the five-yard line, a moment Seattle fans certainly remember from this previous matchup. They could choose to tie it, but they decide to go for the win. Darnold hands the ball to Kenneth Walker, who reaches out for the game-winning touchdown as time expires.
Field Goals: Both Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks kicker, and Andres Borregales, New England Patriots kicker, convert two field goals each, with no misses.
All Touchdown Scorers:
Seattle Seahawks:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (receiving TD)
Cooper Kupp (receiving TD)
Kenneth Walker III (rushing TD)
New England Patriots:
Kayshon Boutte (receiving TD)
Christian Gonzalez (fumble recovery return)
Score by Quarter
End of the first quarter: Seattle Seahawks 7, New England Patriots 0
At halftime: Seattle Seahawks 14, New England Patriots 3
End of the third quarter: Seattle Seahawks 17, New England Patriots 17
Final score: Seattle Seahawks 23, New England Patriots 20
Defensive Storylines:
Total Sacks: Seattle notches four sacks, New England manages three.
Turnovers: The Seahawks give up a forced fumble, recovered and returned for a Patriots TD by Christian Gonzalez.
Top Tackles: Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones IV has a day with nine tackles, while Carlton Davis III leads the Patriots with eight.