Madden NFL 2003 sims the NFL season

September 9, 2002

The NFL season is underway but this year's results have already been released by the Madden NFL Football team at EA SPORTS. Using Madden NFL 2003, the team simulated the entire 2002 NFL season 30 separate times to get a good sense of what we can expect to see on the field in the coming months.

Not surprisingly, the high-powered Rams who have appeared in two out of the last three Super Bowls, were predicted to win Super Bowl XXXVII 8 out of a possible 30 seasons. However, the results show a two-way tie for second place between two AFC teams, with the Raiders and the Steelers winning it all 5 times each out 30 simulations of next season. The Eagles had a strong showing, winning the big game 3 times out of 30 opportunities. The Packers and 49ers each took top honors twice in the simulation. There were a few surprises too. Madden NFL 2003 found that the Titans, Jets, Patriots, Dolphins, and even the Seahawks have a shot at winning the Super Bowl at least once.

At the conference level, there is going to be continued domination of the NFC by the Rams and the Eagles, according to Madden's simulation. The Rams are predicted to win the NFC 11 times and the Eagles 7 times, with those two teams winning more than half of the conference finals games. There is a little more parity in the AFC, but Oakland and Pittsburgh are expected are the two top dogs in the Conference, with 9 and 7 Super Bowl appearances respectively.

At the divisional level, the simulation indicates the new NFL alignment will mix things up a bit, some divisions are wide open and some look slammed shut. In 30 simulated versions of this year's season, the Steelers won their division all 30 times. The only other teams to enjoy that level of domination were the Rams (25 division titles), the Buccaneers (25 division titles), the Eagles (22) and the Raiders (21). The most competitive division by far was the AFC East, with all four teams winning the division at least three times: Jets (10 victories), Patriots (9) Dolphins (8), and the Bills (3).

And what is in store for the expansion Houston Texans, the simulation has them pegged for a rough inaugural season, averaging only 4 wins per season over the 30 attempts, but they did manage a playoff appearance in one year, so there may be some hope in Houston still.

So how accurate is Madden NFL 2003's prediction ability? Only a lot of hotdogs, a lot of chips, and a lot of football watching this season will be able to answer that question. Anyway you cut it, the NFL season will provide more great action and historic moments and Madden NFL 2003 will allow you to get a jump start on that action and play along the entire season. Madden NFL 2003 is available on six platforms.