The folks behind “Madden NFL 17” have predicted a win in Super Bowl LI for the Patriots, courtesy of a game-winning drive orchestrated by Tom Brady that ends with a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman.
The folks behind “Madden NFL 17” have predicted a win in Super Bowl LI for the Patriots, courtesy of a game-winning drive orchestrated by Tom Brady that ends with a touchdown pass to Julian Edelman. Credit: YouTube

Before Super Bowl XLIX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the popular NFL video game Madden released its annual prediction via a simulated game between the two teams.

Madden NFL 25 predicted the Patriots would won, 28-24, behind a game-winning touchdown drive orchestrated by Tom Brady. The hero to catch Brady’s touchdown pass? One of his favorite targets, Julian Edelman, of course.

The Patriots went on to beat the Seahawks in Glendale, Ariz., 28-24, thanks to a memorable interception by rookie Malcolm Butler on the one-yard line. The receiver who caught the go-ahead touchdown pass? Edelman, of course.

On Thursday, Madden NFL 17 released its prediction for Super Bowl LI – to be played Sunday between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots.

The simulation predicts a 27-24 victory for the Patriots in an instant classic. Brady was predicted to hit Edelman for the game-winning touchdown (again) on 4th and 4 with 20 seconds to play.

Madden has correctly predicted nine of the last 13 Super Bowl winners, but whiffed on Super Bowl 50, picking the Carolina Panthers. It has also correctly picked four of the five Super Bowls New England has played in and has picked the Patriots to win all but once.

Here’s a look back at Madden’s Super Bowl predictions:

2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII Panthers vs. Patriots

Madden prediction – New England Patriots, 23-20

Actual winner, score – New England Patriots, 32-29

2005 Super Bowl XXXIX Eagles vs. Patriots

Madden prediction – New England Patriots, 47-31

Actual winner, score – New England Patriots, 24-21

2006 Super Bowl XL Seahawks vs. Steelers

Madden prediction – Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-19

Actual winner, score– Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-10

2007 Super Bowl XLI Bears vs. Colts

Madden prediction: Indianapolis Colts, 38-27

Actual winner, score – Indianapolis Colts, 29-17

2008 Super Bowl XLII Giants vs. Patriots

Madden prediction – New England Patriots, 38-30

Actual winner, score – New York Giants, 17-14

2009 Super Bowl XLIII Cardinals vs. Steelers

Madden prediction – Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-24

Actual winner, score – Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-23

2010 Super Bowl XLIV Saints vs. Colts

Madden prediction – New Orleans Saints, 35-31

Actual winner, score – New Orleans Saints, 31-17

2011 Super Bowl XLV Packers vs. Steelers

Madden prediction – Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-20

Actual winner, score – Green Bay Packers, 31-25

2012 Super Bowl XLVI Giants vs. Patriots

Madden prediction – New York Giants, 27-24

Actual winner, score – New York Giants, 21-17

2013 Super Bowl XLVII 49ers vs. Ravens

Madden prediction – Baltimore Ravens, 27-24

Actual winner, score – Baltimore Ravens, 34-31

2014 Super Bowl XLVIII Seahawks vs. Broncos

Madden prediction – Denver Broncos, 31-28

Actual winner, score – Seattle Seahawks, 43-8

2014 Super Bowl XLIX Seahawks vs. Patriots

Madden prediction – New England Patriots, 28-24

Actual winner, score – New England Patriots, 28-24

2015 Super Bowl 50 Panthers vs. Broncos

Madden prediction – Carolina Panthers, 24-20

Actual winner, score – Denver Broncos, 24-10