We are knocking on the door of the 2023 NFL season and the anticipation is palpable. Like every start to the year, it’s filled with a boatload of mystery because, even if we think we know what’s going to happen, things can turn on their heads in the blink of an eye. Of course, we may be able to give our best estimation of how we think the upcoming season will play out and what storylines may sprout throughout, but we’ll only know definitively once the games unfold in real-time.Β
That said, you’re like me and you want a taste of what could happen this year and you don’t want to wait any longer. I get it and I’m here to offer some help. While I don’t have my time machine up and running just yet, we can settle for what Madden NFL 24 thinks will happen this year. And boy is it a doozy.
We sparked up the latest edition of the iconic video game franchise, updated the rosters, sat back, and watched as it simulated the entire 2023 season. As you may expect, some results will leave your jaw on the floor when you see them. Before you immediately dismiss these simulated results out of hand, however, just remember that our last three simulations heading into the previous three Super Bowls proved to be correct.Β
Do the Madden Gods know something we don’t? Who knows. But if the actual 2023 season has even a dash of the drama that came out of this sim, we’re in for quite a ride.Β
Regular season standouts
Naturally, there’s a lot to unpack in this first section. We’ll leave the award winners and playoff teams off to the side for the moment to highlight some of the other notable showings that this simulation had occurring this season.Β
The one that initially caught my eye was the breakout year for Falcons second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder. While the Falcons were unable to make the playoffs with a 6-11 record, Ridder lit it up from a statistical standpoint. In his first season as the full-time starter, the 2022 third-round pick finished fourth in the NFL in passing yards with 4,895. He also had 31 passing touchdowns while completing 68% of his throws. Turnovers were his Achilles’ heel, however, as he threw 17 interceptions throughout the year as well. Ridder’s passing yard total exceeded the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Jalen Hurts.Β
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After a quick three-and-out by Tampa Bay, it looked like the Chiefs could mount a sizable lead out of the gate, but Mahomes threw an ill-advised pass that was intercepted by corner Jamel Dean. With a short field, the Bucs knotted the game thanks to a gutsy call, going for it on fourth down at the goal line. Mayfield was able to drop back and hit tight end Cade Otton for the short score.Β
Following that score, the Chiefs would again move all the way inside the 10-yard line and, with a minute before halftime, Mahomes again connected to Toney for his second touchdown of the half. The Bucs then dinked and dunked their way down the field and utilized all of their timeouts to get within field goal range to trail K.C. 14-10 heading into the break.
The second half is where the Chiefs started to pull away en route to yet another Super Bowl title. Mahomes led this third touchdown drive of the game after the K.C. defense was able to force Mayfield and the Bucs to punt. At the start of the fourth quarter, Mahomes connected with Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a red zone touchdown to go up by double digits. The nail in the coffin came following that score when the defense again was able to clamp down on Mayfield and pressure him into an interception that gave the Chiefs the ball back in Tampa Bay territory.Β
As you may expect, Andy Reid then primarily kept the ball on the ground to simply burn time as the Chiefs closed out their third Lombardi Trophy win in the Mahomes era. However, after various Tampa Bay timeouts, Mahomes was forced to throw on third-and-3 and threw his fourth touchdown of the game (second to MVS) to go up. Mayfield did show some late life and put together a touchdown drive, but it was too late to mount the comeback as Kansas City became the first team since 2004 to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles, beating the Bucs, 28-17.
Mahomes finished with 234 yards passing, four touchdowns, and one interception en route to Super Bowl MVP honors for the third time in his career.Β
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Author: Tyler Sullivan
August 25, 2023 | 9:57 am