We Know Who Will Win Super Bowl XLIX

Las Vegas can’t seem to make up its mind about which team will win Super Bowl XLIX, but Madden NFL 15 has.

The long-running video game franchise has just released its annual simulation of the Big Game, and it’s picking the New England Patriots to beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24, on a last-minute Tom Brady touchdown pass to Julian Edelman. And while you might roll your eyes at that prediction, perhaps you shouldn’t: Over the years, Madden has proven to be a fairly reliable prognosticator, compiling an 8-3 record when it comes to calling the winner of the Super Bowl.

In the virtual game, the Pats got the scoring going when Brady hooked up with Rob Gronkowski on a 21-yard TD strike (prop bet alert!), but the Seahawks closed the gap with a first quarter field goal. The teams traded touchdowns in the second, but as New England was driving late in the half, Seattle’s Earl Thomas – looks like he’s gonna play after all – jumped a Brady pass and took it to the house, giving the Seahawks a 17-14 lead at halftime.

Sadly, there was no virtual Katy Perry performance.

Seattle went up 24-14 on a 9-yard TD rumble by Marshawn Lynch, but New England answered with another Gronk touchdown grab. And with the Seahawks driving in the fourth, New England corner Darrelle Revis intercepted a Russell Wilson pass to set up the Patriots’ winning drive.

Tom Brady was named the (video) game’s MVP, throwing for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns against Seattle’s vaunted defense, Edelman led all receivers with 8 catches for 106 yards and Lynch was at his Beast Mode best in a losing effort, running for 118 yards and two scores. No word on the condition of the game balls, though we suspect they were inflated to pixelated perfection.