Super Bowl LVIII week is here, and football fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. As we approach the big game, it has become a tradition to look to EA Sports’ John Madden Football video game for a prediction of the winner and final score. Over the years, these simulations have had mixed results, with some accurately predicting the outcome and others falling short.
In this year’s simulation by CBS Sports, the Super Bowl is predicted to be a low-scoring affair, with the 49ers coming out on top with a score of 10-6. This outcome would tie them with the Steelers and Patriots for the most Vince Lombardi trophies of all time. For 49ers fans, this prediction offers hope, especially considering their loss to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl four years ago. The chance for revenge is always welcomed by devoted fans.
However, it’s important to take these simulations with a grain of salt. Looking back at the Madden predictions from previous years, it becomes clear that they are far from infallible. Since 2004, the simulations have only correctly predicted the Super Bowl winner just over half the time, getting 11 out of the last 20 winners right. There is one notable exception, though, when the game predicted the New England Patriots’ victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX with a score of 28-24. This particular prediction has led to conspiracy theories, but that’s a discussion for another time.
If we turn our attention to CBS Sports’ Madden Super Bowl picks in recent years, we find that they have been undefeated. Their simulator correctly predicted the victories of the Chiefs, Rams, and Buccaneers in their respective Super Bowls. So, if you’re a fan in the Bay Area and inclined to choose based on past success, CBS Sports might be the way to go.
However, despite these predictions, most fans are hoping for a more exciting game than the projected 10-6 score. A total of 16 points doesn’t exactly scream excitement, and the last Super Bowl with such low scoring was Super Bowl LIII, where the Patriots defeated the Rams 13-3 in 2019. In today’s high-scoring era of football, it’s rare to find anyone who enjoys a low-scoring game. If the CBS Sports simulation comes true, it would tie that Patriots-Rams game for the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history.
Ultimately, regardless of which team you’re rooting for, whether it’s the 49ers or the Chiefs, everyone is hoping that Madden got it wrong this time around. We want to see a thrilling, high-scoring game that will keep us on the edge of our seats until the very end. So, let’s set aside the simulations and predictions for now and get ready for what promises to be an unforgettable Super Bowl LVIII.
