Madden 13 Predicts Seattle Seahawks Will Defeat Arizona In Defensive Struggle

We are still a couple days away from the first game that counts in the Seahawk’s season. One of the things I’m planning on doing each week, just for fun, is to let Madden 13 predict the outcome by simulating the game at least 20 times. I’ll also “watch” one game (I wont be controlling either team) and detailing out how the game unfolds. This week, lets start with the game description.

Before I started the game, I had to make a couple changes to the rosters. For starters, I had to change the team’s starting QBs to Russell Wilson and John Skelton. I also buried Terrell Owens on the depth chart enough that he wouldn’t play, since he’s no longer with the Seahawks.

And now, on to the game:

The Cardinals kicked off, and Seahawks started off pounding the ball with 6 straight runs for 2 first downs before Wilson’s first pass, and it’s a play action pass complete to Edwards for 5 yards. The drive finally bogs down when Lynch gets spelled and Leon Washington can’t pick up a 3rd and 3 at the 8 yard line, but Hauschka hits a short field goal to make it 3-0 Seahawks.

The Cardinals first drive ends with a 3 and out. After 2 runs for a total of 4 yards, Skelton throws wide of his target on 3rd down and the Cards punt, giving the Seahawks decent field position for their 2nd drive.

The Seahawks 2nd drive, with Washington still in at RB, can’t get a first down and the Seahawks punt the ball right back. Skelton only completes one pass on their drive, and the ball goes back to Seahawks.

The Seahawks and the Cards continue trading punts in this fashion after this as neither team is capable of getting a first down. The Seahawks defense is dominating, and the Cardinals are stacking the line to stop the run and the Seahawks passing game can’t take advantage.

The punt trading was finally ends when Wilson throws an interception at the Seahawk’s 28 yard line. Luckily for Seattle, the Cardinals can’t get the ball into the endzone, and the game is tied up at 3-3.

Nov 14, 2010; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Leon Washington (33) heads up field on a punt return during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 36-18. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

After trading punts yet again, Leon Washington take a quick toss around the left side 53 yards to the endzone. 10-3 Seahawks with the first half almost over.

The Cardinals pound the ball into the line twice and it’s halftime with the Seahawks leading 10-3.

The beginning of the 2nd half looks much like the first half, with neither team able to get a first down and trading punts back and forth for most of the 3rd quarter. The first drive not to end in a punt in the 2nd half ends with a Robert Turbin fumble at the Cardinal 45 yard line with just 24 seconds on the clock, ending the Seahawk’s best looking drive of the half.

Again the Cardinals go 3 and out and have to punt, but with the good field position the Cards had, the Seahawks are backed up deep. Luckily, Doug Baldwin finally gets involved in the offense, and the Seahawks are able to string together a few first downs on passes to Baldwin and end up getting a 47 yard FG by Hauschka for a 13-3 lead with 8 minutes to go in the game.

The Cardinals answer with 12 play drive that finally dies at the 15 yard line, and a J. Feely FG cuts the lead to 13-6, but there’s just 2:11 on the clock.

The Cardinals elect to kick the ball deep and not try for the onsides kick, hoping to use their time outs and the 2 minute warning to get get the ball back. It doesn’t work. 3 straight play action passes burn the Cardinals who have everyone at the line to stop the run, and then the Seahawks are able to run out the clock.

In the end, it’s a very ugly football game, but the Seahawks win 13-6.

Dec 12, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant (79) runs through a cloud of smoke before the game against the St. Lous Rams at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Statistically, the game was as ugly as they come. Wilson’s passing numbers end up as 12/21 for just 98 yards and an interception. That’s 49.3 QB rating. Skelton’s numbers were only slightly better at 13/25 for 132 yards and a 67.4 rating.

The Cardinals, despite 33 rushing attempts, managed just 86 yards on the ground against the Seahawks defense. The Seahawks faired slightly better, with 167 yards on 45 attempts, though 53 of those came on the Leon Washington TD run.

Clearly, the stars of this game were the 2 defenses. The Cardinal’s defense was led by Daryl Washington, who had 13 tackles and one of the team’s 2 sacks.

The Seahawks were led by defensive end Red Bryant, who finished the game with 11 tackles, including 3 sacks and 2 more tackles for loss. The Seahawks ended the game with 5 sacks on Skelton, though they didn’t manage to force any turnovers.

This game ended up pretty represent of all 20 that were simulated.

As you can see, none of the games were really an offensive shootout. Madden 13 clearly expects the defenses to dominate this game, and it also expects the Seahawks to win.