The Arizona Cardinals and the Kansas City Chiefs face one another in a real football game at State Farm Stadium Sunday afternoon. We will see how things play out for real.
Many expect an offensive shootout.
In a simulation of the game on Madden NFL 23, that isn’t the case.
In fact, the simulation predicted a very sloppy game. The Cardinals intercept Patrick Mahomes four times but kicker Matt Prater misses three field goals and the Chiefs come away with a 27-24 win.
Chiefs-Cardinals ‘Madden’ simulation details
The Cardinals jump out to a 10-0 in the first quarter behind two Byron Murphy interceptions.
In the Chiefs’ first drive, he has a pick-six, returning an interception 47 yards for a touchdown. He picks off Mahomes on the very next drive and the Cardinals settle on a 44-yard field goal to take a 10-0 lead.
The Chiefs answer with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and then go ahead 14-10 on a two-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman after the Cardinals punt away.
Kyler Murray is picked off by cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and the Chiefs tack on a field goal to make it 17-10.
The Cardinals move the ball but are stuffed in a goal-to-go situation and get no points when Prater misses a 20-yard field goal.
But the Cardinals defense makes a play. Mahomes is picked off by Budda Baker and the Cardinals tie the game with a one-yard rushing touchdown by James Conner.
Before halftime, Zaven Collins makes it four interceptions for the defense but Arizona doesn’t score and it is 17-17 at the half.
After the Chiefs punt on their first possession of the second half, Prater has a 59-yard field goal blocked.
The Chiefs take a 24-17 lead on Mahomes’ third touchdown pass of the game, a seven-yard throw to Hardman.
The Cardinals answer with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Hollywood Brown to tie the game.
The Cardinals force the Chiefs to punt but the Cardinals send out Prater for a 63-yard kick that he misses.
The defense doesn’t let the Chiefs get much but they take a 27-24 lead with a 57-yard field goal with a little more than two minutes left in the game.
The Cardinals go three-and-out and the Chiefs run the clock out.
Madden sim stats
Kyler Murray is 21-for-43 passes for 222 yards, a touchdown and a pick. James Conner has 44 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. Greg Dortch leads the team in receiving with four catches for 63 yards. Zach Ertz adds four catches for 37 yards and Hollywood Brown has four receptions for 50 yards and a score.
Mahomes is 23-for-40 passing for 256 yards, three touchdowns and four picks. Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed 19 times for 54 yards and has six catches for 68 yards and a score. Mecole Hardman catches seven passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Travis Kelce has five rceeptions for 69 yards.
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