Madden sim predicts Patrick Mahomes to dominate Ravens in Chiefs win

The Baltimore Ravens head to Arrowhead Stadium to face off against the Kansas City Chiefs, which means it’s time for the weekly Madden simulation of the game.

Patrick Mahomes throwing for 4 touchdowns, the Oakland Raiders going to the Super Bowl within the next 5 years, and the Cleveland Browns making the playoffs. Only one of those things will happen, and already has. According to this week’s edition of our Madden 20 simulation, Mahomes will complete the feat for the second week in a row.

As the Baltimore Ravens prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, one must consider the factors involved as well. With it being the Chiefs’ season home opener, and the team riding the momentum of two decisive victories in Weeks 1 and 2, a lot of variables are involved that could quite possibly determine the outcome of this game. Rain, tension, and injuries come into play with players like Chiefs running back Damien Williams and Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith being ruled out.

This week’s Madden simulation started with the Chiefs deferring the ball to the Ravens, which means the former would get the ball to start the second half. With a 4-yard run to the right by running back Mark Ingram, the Ravens got off to a quick start. As if his running skill wasn’t a threat enough, Lamar Jackson gave the Chiefs a new challenge they didn’t see last year in the late-season bout: his arm.

It was already known that Jackson could chuck it a country mile. His accuracy was a different story, though. After an offseason of work, Jackson was able to mold himself into this Michael Vick-esque quarterback that could either burn you for 50 yards on the ground, or chuck it 50 yards down the field for a touchdown. It’s almost unfair when you think about it.

If there was live commentary of the game, it would probably go something like this. “Jackson steps back to throw… pressure off the edge from Frank Clark; and there [Jackson] goes!” Jackson does what he does best. Stepping up in the pocket, he shifts around defenders and scrambles to the right. WHOOSH. That’s probably the sound Jackson’s body made as his unequivocal speed hit Mach 1. Jackson took the ball 5… 10… 20 yards down the field. Jackson must’ve eaten his Wheaties before our Madden simulation, because he was looking like a champ throughout the early portion of this game.

Even with game-breaking speed, the Ravens’ opening drive would ultimately stall out as a stout back-to-back defensive effort from the Chiefs’ defense forced two straight incompletions. Safety Juan Thornhill’s poise was key for the defense on the crisp Sunday afternoon. On both of the defensive stops, Thornhill was around the ball and brought a fire to the defense that was reminiscent of a 2016 Eric Berry. If Thornhill could emulate even a percentage of the effort and sheer drive his virtual counterpart showed, the Chiefs and its fans are in for a salubrious surprise.

After forcing the Ravens to punt the ball, the Chiefs’ defense swapped out in favor of the offense. Mahomes and his Legion of Zoom jogged onto the field in what could only be described as a spine-chilling ascent to the great beyond. Well, that’s what it felt like at least. Something just feels different with this game. It’s as if all of the hard work put in to the Chiefs by general manager Brett Veach and the front office; the blood, sweat and dedication put in by the players; the pounding roar of Chiefs fans as their beloved team rushed onto the field; the emotions as retired running back Jamaal Charles bangs on the drum on Sunday afternoon (unfortunately, there’s no way to simulate that)—it’s as if this game is a culmination of something special.

All of the hard work put in has finally started to pay off. Sure, the ultimate culmination will be a hopeful Super Bowl win, but delivering a strike of pure excellence against a highly-touted team to open at home? Greatness. That is the only word that can be used to describe how the Chiefs played in this Madden simulation (and how Sunday’s game should more than likely go).

The offense started out with running back LeSean McCoy taking the handoff from Patrick Mahomes for a pleasant 5-yard gain. While it is nothing spectacular, it gives the Chiefs a bit of breathing room after starting at their own 19-yard line. After the carry by McCoy, the Chiefs lined up in a singleback formation with wide receiver Sammy Watkins out wide. Mahomes takes the snap, drops back. Offensive lineman Cam Erving struggles to hold up at left tackle in place of Eric Fisher. No matter for Mahomes, though, whose pocket presence gave him the upper hand against the Ravens’ defense.

Scrambling to the left, Mahomes looked for someone to throw to, and who better than tight end Travis Kelce? Phwoop. Mahomes manages to get the ball off with pressure right in his face, throwing a 17-yard Stone Cold Stunner to Kelce, who bull rushes his way for another couple yards.

After several quick strikes from Mahomes and two runs from McCoy, the Chiefs found themselves in a 1st-and-Goal situation which was all but a given for the high-powered offense. A Sammy Watkins slant quickly turned into 6 points, putting the Chiefs on the board first. The rest of the second half was much of the same: quick passes from Mahomes to offset the pressure generated by the Ravens’ defensive line that ultimately led to a 17-7 lead. With 2 touchdowns and 200 yards under his belt for the first half, Mahomes came out swinging for the second. Back-to-back drives ended in touchdowns, which would all but put an end to doubts over who was the better team if this was real life.

With just 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter, the Ravens did everything possible to try and lower the deficit, even if by just a little. Spoiler alert: the Chiefs need Jalen Ramsey. The Chiefs’ secondary must have thought a 21-point lead was near-impossible for the Ravens to erase. Despite their best efforts, the Ravens were able to score in just over a minute to make the score 35-21.

All hope was not lost. It looked like maybe, just maybe the Ravens could pull it off and bring themselves a little bit closer to edging the Chiefs. It sounded good on paper, but ended up being a fluke of an idea, much to the dismay of the Ravens. After the Chiefs gave up 32 yards, they held strong and forced the Ravens to make a decision: either go for it on 4th-and-9, or punt it and hope the defense can stop the Chiefs just one more time. Let’s be honest, both tasks would be difficult, but trying to stop Mahomes and his crazy skill set is next to impossible, especially in a clutch situation.

The Ravens must have realized this, or, at least Madden‘s version of the Ravens. Jackson took the snap and tried to fool everyone — it was a designed quarterback run… on 4th-and-9. Seemed like a good idea at first, but a shoestring tackle by linebacker Damien Wilson all but ended the Ravens’ hopes of coming back in this game. A victory formation sealed the deal, and the Chiefs won 35-21.

Mahomes finished the game with 33 completions on 42 attempts, 340 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. It’s safe to say that, even without his top wide receiver and starting running back, Mahomes is a beast.

Madden seems to think so, at least.