National Football League

NFL Week 7: Simulating Each Game in Madden 17

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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NFL Week 7 is decided before the games even kick off thanks to the most popular sports game in the world according to NFL fans, Madden 17

Last week we kicked off our Madden Simulations series. Everyone loves the game and sometimes it can be incredibly accurate.

This past week however, it really wasn’t. Looking back on the games from this week, Madden was correct on just seven-of-15 games.

There were a couple of good calls though. Madden correctly picked wins by the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, and Kansas City Chiefs.

Some of the games missed included the Baltimore Ravens losing to the New York Giants, the Miami Dolphins’ huge upset over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Houston Texans improbable comeback over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football.

The worst prediction though was the tie on Monday Night Football between the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets.

We will see if the computer simulated games are more accurate to what happens in real life this week. We have some big games like the Thursday Night Football showdown between NFC North foes, Green Bay and Chicago. There’s also a suddenly important NFC showdown between the Giants and L.A. Rams which will be played in England.

The most drama though surely will come as two quarterbacks face their old teams. Sam Bradford and the Minnesota Vikings take on the Philadelphia Eagles and Brock Osweiler takes on the Denver Broncos with his new team, the Houston Texans.

Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) hands the football off to running back Eddie Lacy (27) during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears

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The Green Bay Packers get back on track after falling to the Dallas Cowboys at home last week. They struggle to get a whole lot going on offense in the first half as they head to the intermission down 10-9.

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The defense holds Chicago to a field goal in each quarter in the second half and Green Bay adds a touchdown in each. They head out of the short week with a close win on Thursday Night Football.

Green Bay Stars

Chicago Stars

Next: Giants vs. Rams, Saints vs. Chiefs

Oct 2, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Case Keenum (17) looks on as Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants vs. Los Angeles Rams

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This one was a tale of two halves. The Giants came out guns blazing and put up 19 points in the first half. The 19-14 score was the last time they saw a lead as L.A. dominated the final 30 minutes.

The Rams got things going with 10 points in the third and added another 10 after that. They even had Jared Goff make an appearance at quarterback. Some Rams fans are probably hoping that part comes true as well.

New York Stars

Los Angeles Stars

New Orleans Saints vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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The Saints can score with any team, and they did in our simulation here. Also true to real life, they couldn’t play defense in Madden.

Three touchdowns in the second quarter doomed the Saints as the Chiefs were able to control the clock for most of the second half. New Orleans scored late in the fourth, but they were unable to catch K.C.

New Orleans Stars

Kansas City Stars

Next: Eagles vs. Vikings, Colts vs. Titans

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) passes against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings

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If this one holds true, things will feel bleak for Eagles fans. They started 3-0, but would be 3-3 with a loss here. A shutout loss against the team with their old quarterback would probably feel even worse.

Sam Bradford didn’t throw a ton, but he was effective. This one was over by the half thanks to the defense stifling rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, who had three picks total in the game.

Philadelphia Stars

Minnesota Stars

Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

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Things go from bad to worse for the Colts. They drop another divisional game and are now 2-5 on the season. They are falling out of playoff contention fast.

Their defense gives up 478 yards to the Titans, who are powerful through the air and on the ground. Tennessee is making a push for positioning in the AFC South in this simulation.

Indianapolis Stars

Tennessee Stars

Next: Bills vs. Dolphins, Redskins vs. Lions

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills kicker Dan Carpenter (2) kicks a field goal as punter Colton Schmidt (6) holds during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills vs. Miami Dolphins

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Both the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins were offensive beasts in Week 6. Don’t tell that to our EA fortune teller. In this simulation, the teams combine for fewer points than either put up last week individually.

At the half the score was 0-0 and it took until a last-second field goal for things to be decided. Neither team was explosive on offense, Miami had 168 passing yards and Buffalo just 219. Hopefully the real game is a little more exciting.

Buffalo Stars

Miami Stars

Washington Redskins vs. Detroit Lions

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Both teams were winners in Week 6, but Detroit can’t keep it going. Washington on the other hand reels off their fifth straight win. It was close throughout, but the Redskins put up 11 in the final quarter to seal the win.

Washington Stars

Detroit Stars

Next: Browns vs. Bengals, Raiders vs. Jaguars

Sep 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) against the Miami Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals

ClevelandBrowns18

The battle of Ohio goes to the Bengals here. Neither team has done very well so far this season, but Cincinnati could get things going with a big win here.

Both teams moved the ball with ease as Cleveland had 424 yards of offense and Cincy had 369. The difference was that Cleveland settled for field goals more often than the Bengals did.

Cleveland Stars

Cincinnati Stars

Oakland Raiders vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

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Last week Oakland was throttled from beginning to end by Kansas City. According to our video game world, they do the same to Jacksonville in Week 7.

Oakland goes for 417 yards, including 178 rushing as they put the poor week they just had in the rear view mirror. Jacksonville loses the momentum they had from their comeback win against Chicago last week.

Oakland Stars

Jacksonville Stars

Next: Ravens vs. Jets, Chargers vs. Falcons

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) reacts after being benched in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens vs. New York Jets

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The Ravens are in full-on free fall mode as they lose another lead. Up 14-10 at the half, they collapse late…again.

The Jets finally stop their skid with a win here. Ryan Fitzpatrick looks like the player he was in 2015 in the win.

Baltimore Stars

New York Stars

San Diego Chargers vs. Atlanta Falcons

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Again, Atlanta shows no problem putting up points. Again, they struggle to stop opponents from scoring. They lead the entire game, but San Diego keeps fighting. They just don’t have enough in the end though and Atlanta gets a solid win after a tough loss last week.

San Diego Stars

Atlanta Stars

Next: Bucs vs. 49ers, Patriots vs. Steelers

Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Bucs defeated the Panthers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. San Francisco 49ers

Tampa BayBuccaneers30

Jacquizz Rodgers keeps running wild. The Bucs newest running back powers the team to another win, this time over the hapless 49ers. Chip Kelly may be gone pretty soon…

Tampa Bay Stars

San Francisco Stars

New England Patriots vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

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Please let this one come true. The Patriots go for 614 yards of offense and the Steelers go for 559 yards. This would be the most exciting game ever. However, it most likely won’t be true because Landry Jones went off in this one.

New England Stars

Pittsburgh Stars

Next: SNF: Seahawks vs. Cardinals

Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) walks to the locker room after a game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

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The Seahawks show up on Sunday Night Football with their defense and offense firing on all cylinders. The Cardinals barely even show up in this one.

Trailing 28-7 at the half, they all but give up and manage just a field goal in each the third and fourth quarters while the ‘Hawks continue their onslaught.

Seattle nearly doubles their NFC West foe in total yardage and they force three turnovers as well. Running back David Johnson sees his hot streak come to an end as he gets just 55 yards on the night.

Seattle Stars

Arizona Stars

Next: MNF: Texans vs. Broncos

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) warms up prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos

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The Texans use their fourth-quarter comeback on Sunday Night Football as a springboard into another prime time win. This time they knock off the defending champs on Monday Night Football.

This time, Madden says no fourth quarter heroics will be needed though as Houston is in control throughout the game. Houston has an efficient game and takes a 24-7 halftime lead before milking the clock with a solid running game to close it out.

Their defense is stout as well, they hold the Broncos in check by forcing four picks of quarterback Trevor Siemian.

Houston Stars

Must Read: 2016 NFL Power Rankings Week 7: Dallas Cowboys Keep Climbing

Denver Stars

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