EA Predicts Super Bowl XLIII Champion Using Madden NFL '09

[Digital Puppy]

EA SPORTS PREDICTS SUPER BOWL XLIII CHAMPION USING MADDEN NFL 09

January 23, 2009 — Black and gold will reign supreme in Tampa Bay, according to the official EA SPORTS simulation of Super Bowl XLIII by Madden NFL 09. According to the award-winning video game, the Pittsburgh Steelers will win an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl title in a tightly contested game against the Arizona Cardinals, by a final score of 28-24. Holding off a fourth quarter comeback by the Cardinals, the Steelers bring the Vince Lombardi trophy back to the Steel City for the second time in the past four years and for a sixth time in franchise history, setting an NFL record.



Madden NFL 09 is the most authentic and adaptable game in sports video game history, and utilizing each team’s current roster and the latest player statistics, EA SPORTS matched the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals in a simulation of Super Bowl XLIII. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 3 touchdowns and was named the Super Bowl MVP; joining teammate Hines Ward who was the Super Bowl XL MVP. Steelers coach, Mike Tomlin, became the youngest coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, at the age of 36.



The start of Super Bowl XLIII became a defensive struggle, but Pittsburgh put the first points up with a 10-yard touchdown reception to Santonio Holmes, with less than two minutes left in the first quarter.



The Cardinals returned the favor with their reinvigorated running game as Edgerrin James diced through the vaunted Steelers defense with 8-yard touchdown run, near the start of the second quarter. Pittsburgh, showing great balance, quickly swung the momentum in their favor with two consecutive touchdowns – a 10-yard scamper by “Fast” Willie Parker, and a 13-yard strike to Hines Ward. The Steelers headed into halftime with a 21-7 lead and the route appeared to be on.



Despite their high-powered air attack, Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt, kept to the successful running attack as the third quarter opened. The Cardinals made a statement as again they punctured the Steel Curtain with an Edgerrin James 14-yard touchdown run; drawing the score to 21-14. The Steelers, unfazed, looked like they had potentially put the Cards down for good with Santonio Holmes’s second touchdown reception. At the close of the third quarter, the score was 28-14 in favor of Pittsburgh.



Taking a page from the Steelers defense, the Cardinals held tough and would not surrender any additional points. This coupled with Pro-Bowl receiver, Larry Fitzgerald’s 15-yard touchdown catch midway through the 4th, brought the Cards within seven points. Neil Rackers added a 45-yard field goal with 3:15 remaining in the game, closing the gap to 28-24. On the following possession, Pittsburgh was able to break through for a few first downs; leaving the Arizona comeback short.



Super Bowl XLIII kicks off Sunday, February 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

[Apoptosis]

screw that... go cards!

[GI-JOE]

Pfff.... Football. Hockey all the way!

[dicecca112]

anyone know the record of EA's predictions?

[bubba]

4/5 strait, until last year.

* 2004 - Patriots 23, Panthers 20 (Actual Score: Patriots 32, Panthers 29)
* 2005 - Patriots 47, Eagles 31 (Actual score: Patriots 24, Eagles 21)
* 2006 - Steelers 24, Seahawks 19 (Actual score: Steelers 21, Seahawks 10)
* 2007 - Colts 38, Bears 27 (Actual score: Colts 29, Bears 17)
* 2008 - Patriots 38, Giants 30 (Actual score: Giants 17, Patriots 14)

[dicecca112]

There wasn't a superbowl last year

[KnightRid]

My Steelers wont let those pesky birds get that close to winning

Mike

screw that... go cards!

you, you, bastard

[jebo_4jc]

I would love to know more about their methods....like I wonder how they accounted for Hines Ward's injury, etc.

[Digital Puppy]

There wasn't a superbowl last year

No, no...I remember it clearly.... I think one team ended with 1 loss for the year... I'll check Google.

[KnightRid]

There wasn't a superbowl last year

No, no...I remember it clearly.... I think one team ended with 1 loss for the year... I'll check Google.

LOL - and the spoon severs the dorsal aorta.

Mike

/me hands Puppy a salt shaker - go for it

[Apoptosis]

the score on the game with less than 30 seconds left is 27-23... the same 4 point spread that EA predicted... impressive.

[skier]

the cards need a defensive line, they were running around with their heads cut off in the last quarter, from the cards' D-line- "Hey Look! There's Big Ben running around like he's bored and making good plays, let's hang back and see what happens without us actually going after him"

Harrison had such a sick play to end the first half, interception yielding a 100yard TD run, WOW

and holy penalties in the second half, some steelers were just being stupid (cough, 92, cough)