EA Sports Predicts the Outcome of Super Bowl 50

The battle for the Vince Lombardi trophy doesn’t happen until this Sunday, but the folks at EA Sports already know who is going to win the game via Madden NFL 16.

According to Yahoo, EA Sports predicts that the Carolina Panthers will defeat the Denver Broncos by the final score of 24-20.

Watch the action-packed game simulation here:

The Panthers jump to an early lead 17-0, thanks in part to wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr.’s huge kick off return, which leads to a Cam Newton to Greg Olsen touchdown. But the Broncos mount a comeback to take a 20-17 lead late in the game, before the simulator predicts NFL MVP frontrunner Cam Newton will lead the Panthers to one last drive down the field. With seconds left, Newton runs his own quarterback sneak to the end zone for the game winning score.

The simulation predicts that Newton will throw for 216 yards with one touchdown and one interception and will take home Super Bowl MVP honors. As for his teammates, running back Jonathan Stewart rushed for 48 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Greg Olsen grabbed the only touchdown pass from Newton. He also tallied 79 receiving yards.

As for the Panthers defense, potential defensive player of the year cornerback Josh Newman recorded five tackles and an interception.

As for the Broncos, Manning threw for for 241 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Damarius Thomas racked up 98 receiving yards and one touchdown. Manning’s other target Emmanuel Sanders racked up 65 yards on five receptions. All good numbers, but according to the simulator, Manning and the Broncos just ran out of time.

Although this is a simulation and one might be quick to brush off its prediction, EA Sports has been right in picking the Super Bowl champion in nine of the last 12 years, and even (eerily) predicted the New England Patriots would beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in last year’s game.