Madden NFL is a popular video game that became infamous due the dreaded “Madden Curse.” Ever since players started to appear on the cover of Madden NFL in 1999 instead of John Madden, for whatever reason, quite a few of them have followed up that appearance with a poor season, many times because of an injury. It got so bad that LaDainian Tomlinson fans set up a website in the hopes that LT wouldn’t be on the 2008 cover. He wasn’t, but the guy who was, Vince Young, suffered an injury that September and was replaced as a starter for the rest of the season.
Well, Madden NFL can also lay claim to another odd feat — being able to predict Super Bowl winners. As USA Today reports, Electronic Arts, which produces the game, claims to have correctly predicted five of the last six Super Bowl winners using a video game simulation. The only slip-up? The Giants victory over the Patriots two years ago, which is only one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history.
And this year, the simulation for Super Bowl XLIV gives the edge to the New Orleans Saints, winning in an offensive shoot-out, squeaking by the Colts 35-31. They even award an MVP, which goes to Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who “throws” for 299 yards and three touchdowns, while Colts QB Peyton Manning chalks up a very respectable 322 yards and three scores.
My question is, did Madden NFL have any idea what would happen with Janet Jackson’s wardrobe in 2004? I’m sure CBS executives would’ve liked that information.
Photo courtesy of mag3737 via Flickr