2017-18 NFL Playoffs: Simmed with Madden

[Lupin the Third]

Hey gang, Lupin here again!

I did a simulation with NCAA 14 to see who would win the NCAA FBS National Championship the past couple years with updated rosters. I enjoyed doing that, so I'm gonna do it for the NFL Playoffs, only with Madden 25 and updated rosters.

I know the playoffs have already started, but I'm gonna start with the Wild Card round, just for funsies. Think of it as an alternate universe. Also, the Rams are still in St. Louis.

So let's get to the Wild Card Pairings!

No. 6 Atlanta Falcons @ No. 3 Los Angeles (St. Louis) Rams

No. 5 Carolina Panthers @ No. 4 New Orleans Saints

No. 6 Buffalo Bills @ No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars

No. 5 Tennessee Titans @ No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs

[Lupin the Third]

We start off the playoffs as the Atlanta Falcons head to LA to face the Rams.

The Rams start off with the ball and march down field to score first with a TD from Goff to Kupp for 17 yards. Atlanta comes back with a long drive, and is able to get in with a 2 yard pass from Ryan to Hooper. LA is forced to punt late in the 1st half and Atlanta marches down field. Ryan hits Coleman with a quick pass, but a jarring hit knocks the ball loose, and the Rams recover!! The first half ends in a 7-7 tie.

The Falcons start with the ball and start a drive down field, but Coleman fumbles again, and the Rams recover again!! 2 plays later, the Rams are in the endzone! Atlanta starts another drive, but they go 3 and out. However, as LA fields the punt, Cooper fumbles, and Weatherspoon picks it up, running it 35 yards for a Falcons TD!! LA tries to rebound, but they go 3 and out, and the Falcons start the 4th quarter with the ball. They go 3 and out as well, and the Rams get the ball back. They march down the field, eating up a lot of clock, and Gurley runs it in from 7 yards out!! The Falcons march quickly down field, but have to use up all 3 timeouts. 4 seconds left, they barely get the play off, and Ryan throws it in the dirt, as the Rams move on!!

No. 3 LA Rams outlast No. 6 Atlanta Falcons, 21-14

[Lupin the Third]

Up next, the No. 4 New Orleans Saints battle the No. 5 Carolina Panthers!

Carolina starts with the ball, but goes 3 and out. New Orleans gets the ball, and marches down field, scoring on a 20-yard pass from Brees to Kamara! After one, New Orleans leads 7-0. Carolina answered right back in the 2nd quarter, scoring 14 points, one on an 8 yard pass from Newton to Simonson, and one on a 45-yard screen pass from Newton to Stewart! At the half, Carolina leads, 14-7, and holds the momentum.

New Orleans started out with the ball for the 3rd quarter, and they marched right back downfield, as Brees hit Snead in stride for a 36 yard score. Carolina tried to build momentum, but Newton was picked off twice in this game. Early in the 4th, Ingram ran it in from four yards out to give New Orleans the lead! Late in the game, Carolina would get down to the goal line, but on 4th and goal from the one, Newton would drop back, and would be sacked!! New Orleans ran a little more clock, making the Panthers burn some timeouts. Carolina would get the ball back, hoping to make one last ditch effort to tie it up. But on 4th and 5 from the New Orleans 22, Newton would get sacked again, and that's all she wrote!

No. 4 New Orleans Saints downs No. 5 Carolina Panthers, 21-14

[Lupin the Third]

And the last game for tonight has the No. 6 Buffalo Bills travel down south to face the No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars.

This one wasn't even close. The Jags dominated this entire game from start to finish. Jacksonville marched out to a 10-0 lead before Buffalo would add 3 to the score. However, Jacksonville would come right back and score 14 more points. Buffalo would score late as the game was coming to a close, but it was all for naught, as the Jags advance to the next round!

No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars dominate No. 6 Buffalo Bills, 24-10

[Lupin the Third]

And now the final matchup of the Wild Card Round, as the No. 5 Tennessee Titans travel to No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs.

A tight contest early on, as Tennessee scores first. But Kansas City ties it up, and we go into the half tied up at 7. Kansas City adds another score in the third quarter, taking a 14-7 lead. The defenses take over, especially late for KC, as they stop Tennessee on 4th down multiple times, and the Chiefs advance to face the Pats!

No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs outlast No. 5 Tennessee Titans, 14-7

[Lupin the Third]

And now, the first matchup for the Divisional Round as the New Orleans Saints travel North to face the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Saints start with the ball, but the drive stalls, and they have to punt the ball away. Philly marches down field, and runs it in from 3 yards out from Ajayi. After one, the Eagles lead 7-0. The Saints march back down the field, and they put it in the endzone as Brees hits Thomas from 7 yards out. Philly takes the ball and gets close, but has to settle for 3. The Saints look to take advantage, but stall on their drive, punting it away again. The Eagles take advantage, as Foles marches them down the field and in for a score! At the half, the Eagles lead, 17-7.

The Eagles start off with the ball, and march downfield again, but stalls and settles for another field goal. The Saints get the ball, and march down field to add another 7 on the board as well! On 3rd down for the Eagles, Foles hits Smith, and he runs it 76 yards for a touchdown! The Eagles go for 2, but it's picked off! After 3, it's 26-14 Eagles. The Saints start off the 4th with the ball, and march down field, but Brees is picked off by Jenkins!! But the Eagles go 3 and out, and punt the ball back to the Saints. During the Saints drive, Brees hits Snead who's wide open for a 44-yard TD!! They try and stop the Eagles, but the Eagles keep getting just enough, and they can run out the clock!

No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles down the No. 4 New Orleans Saints, 26-21

[Lupin the Third]

And now for the last match of the night, as the LA/St. Louis Rams travel to the Land of 10,000 Lakes to face the Minnesota Vikings.

If there ever was a game that defined defensive struggle, this was it. Neither team scored in the first 3 quarters. The Rams missed two field goals and had a pass picked off, but the Vikings have not been able to take advantage of the situation. Midway through the 4th quarter, the Vikings were finally able to get on the board, as Keenum hit Floyd for a 12-yard touchdown pass. And that was the difference maker, as the Vikings would shut out the Rams, and earn a berth in the NFC Championship!

No. 2 Minnesota Vikings down No. 3 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 7-0

[Lupin the Third]

We begin the first half of the AFC Divisional Round, as the Kansas City Chiefs battle the New England Patriots on a cold, snowy night in Foxborough.

The Chiefs start out strong in the first, marching down field, but can only muster 3, as they lead after one, 3-0. The Patriots get on the board in the 2nd quarter after a TD pass by Terrific Tom, taking a 7-3 lead. But after an amazing run, the Chiefs pound it in from one yard out, taking a 10-7 lead. Late in the 2nd, the Pats are driving, but have to settle for a field goal, and we go into the half tied at 10.

The Chiefs strike first in the third quarter, getting 3 points off a long drive. Neither team is able to muster anything else, and the Chiefs go into the fourth quarter up 13-10. Could an upset be looming?

The Pats come back, and look to score again, but can only muster 3 again, as we're tied up again, 13-13. The Chiefs start to drive, but are in a do or die 3rd and long situation. But Alex Smith goes back and throws it up for Thomas, getting a big gain and a first down!! They continue their late drive, looking to get into the endzone this time. But right before the 2 minute warning, Smith takes a DISASTROUS SACK, and the Chiefs are at 2nd and 22 from the 24. They run the ball two more times, and look to hit the go ahead kick with just 87 seconds to go. And they drill right through the middle, taking a 16-13 lead. The Pats have to go 75 yards in 79 seconds to win this. On first down, TOM BRADY TAKES A SACK!!! 2nd Down, Brady comes right back, and nails a receiver for the first down!! They continue to march, and take another time out. One time out left, 26 seconds left, and their on the Chiefs' 16-yard line. The Pats get a first down, and clock it with 15 seconds left. They run the ball, and take a timeout with 5 seconds left, looking to put this in OT. They trot out the kicker, but the Chiefs take a time out to ice him. And Gostkowski nails it through, and we're going to overtime!!

The Pats start with the ball, looking to win this one. But they stall at mid field, and have to punt the ball away. The Chiefs march, but they punt it away on a 4th and 1. The Pats start off with a quick pass for a first down, then Tom goes downfield, and AMENDOLA GETS IT!!! On the Chiefs 18, the Pats waste no time, and out comes Gostkowski for the win. The kick is up.....AND IT'S GOOD!!!

No. 1 New England outlasts No. 4 Kansas City, 19-16 OT

[Lupin the Third]

Up next, the other half of the AFC Divisionals, as Jacksonville faces Pittsburgh.

A defensive battle to start, but late in the first, the Steelers get on the board as Big Ben hits JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 16-yard score. After one it was 7-0, Pittsburgh. The Jags rallied in the second, as Bortles hit Lee for a 12-yard score. The defenses held firm for the rest of the half, as the score at halftime read 7-7.

The defenses were still staunch in the 3rd quarter, but late in the 3rd, Fournette would run it in from 7 yards out for Jacksonville, and the Jags would take a 14-7 lead going into the fourth quarter! Bell would help the Steelers answer in the 4th, running it in from one yard out to tie it up. Late in the 4th, the Jags would hit a 47-yard field goal, taking a 17-14 lead with less than 2 minutes to go. Big Ben would march the Steelers down the field, and would hit a 7-yard TD pass with less than a minute to go!! Bortles would try to rally the Jags, but chucked up a prayer into double coverage, and it's PICKED OFF!! The Steelers advance!

No. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers outlast No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars, 21-17

[Lupin the Third]

And we are down to four. Up first, the NFC Championship, as the Philadelphia Eagles host the Minnesota Vikings.

After a long drive that chewed up most of the first quarter, the Eagles put up 3 to take the early lead. After that, the defenses take over in this snowy environment, until late in the second, as Keenum hits Rudolph for a 5-yard TD pass!! Late in the half, Foles goes deep, but he's PICKED OFF!! That's big momentum going into halftime, as the Vikings lead, 7-3.

In the 3rd quarter, the defenses continue to battle, until Foles hits Sproles late in the 3rd with an 8-yard TD pass! After 3, Philly leads, 10-7. Early in the 4th, Philly's driving, but Ertz fumbles, and the Vikes recover!! They march down field, but stall, and Kai Forbath gets them 3 to tie it up. Late in the fourth, the Eagles march down field, and on 4th down, Sturgis comes out for a 50 yard field goal, but HE MISSES WIDE RIGHT!!! The Vikings have a chance!! They march down field, but Keenum makes a huge mistake as he throws a pick in the endzone!! And we head to OT!!

Minnesota gets the ball to start, but they go 3 and out, and have to punt. Philly marches down field, and Ajayi punches it in from 2 yards out, and Philly's going to the Super Bowl!!

No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles down No. 2 Minnesota Vikings, 16-10 OT

[Lupin the Third]

And now, the AFC Championship, as the New England Patriots host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Patriots struck first late in the first, as Tom nailed Hogan for an 8-yard TD pass. After a defensive struggle, the Pats moved down the field again in the 2nd quarter, and Brady hit Hogan again for an 11-yard TD Pass at the 2 Minute Warning. Late in the 2nd, Pittsburgh marched down field, but could only get 3 points. After an interception, the Steelers marched back down field, but missed a 49-yard field goal try. After one half, the Pats lead, 14-3.

The only points of the 3rd quarter would come late, as Roethlisberger nailed JuJu Smith-Schuster for a 10-yard TD Pass. The Steelers went for 2, but Big Ben was sacked on the attempt. Midway through the fourth, Gostkowski would nail a 30 yard field goal, putting the Pats up by 8. Late in the 4th, the Pats would punt the ball to Pittsburgh, but the return was muffed, and the Pats recovered! 3 plays later, Dion Lewis would put the final nail in the coffin with a 1-yard TD run, and the Pats are going back to the Super Bowl!

No. 1 New England Patriots down the No. 2 Pittsburgh Steelers, 24-9

[Lupin the Third]

And here we are. Down to the final two. Super Bowl LII, and it's the New England Patriots vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. A rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX.

Eagles start with the ball, but they go 3 and out and punt the ball away. Late in the 1st quarter, Brady nails Hogan with a one-yard TD pass, putting up the first points in the game. After one, it's 7-0 New England. But early in the 2nd, Foles hits Jeffery with a 13-yard strike, and ties the game up for the Eagles. Brady comes right back, marching the Pats down field, and hitting Gronk for a 9-yard TD pass. But Foles comes right back as well, hitting Agoholor for a 6-yard TD pass. At halftime, the score is tied 14-14.

New England starts with the ball the second half, but their drive stalls, and they have to punt it away. This gives the Eagles an opportunity that Foles delivers on, hitting Sproles for a 26-yard TD Pass. Not to be outdown, Brady hits Gronk late in the 3rd with a 53-yard TD pass, tying the game up heading into the 4th quarter, 21-21. The first play of the 4th is a costly one for Philly, as Foles throws a pick right to Harmon! The Pats take advantage, and strike quickly, as Brady hits Hogan with another TD pass. Philly tries to answer, but New England gets another pick, as Ryan picks off Foles this time. They march quickly again, and Dion Lewis runs it in from one yard out, giving the Pats a 14-point advantage. Philly marches down field, but the clock is starting to be a factor for them. And it goes from bad to worse, as Foles is injured on a play late, so the third string Sudfeld has to come in to try and win this. And late in the game, Sudfeld hits Ertz with a touchdown on 4th and 1!! The Eagles try an onside kick, but the Pats get it! They make Philadelphia use all 3 timeouts, and attempt a long field goal by Gostkowski. The kick is up.......and it's GOOD!! The Eagles try to march down field to score, but are stopped on fourth and ten, giving another Super Bowl to the New England Patriots!

New England Patriots defeat Philadelphia Eagles, 38-28

Super Bowl MVP: Tom Brady