Chiefs v. Lions: LeSean McCoy marches Kansas City to victory in Madden sim

The Kansas City Chiefs head to Motor City to face off against the Detroit Lions, and this Madden simulation says LeSean McCoy will run all over them.

Every week, a Madden simulation is conducted to allow the system to predict how the game may end up going. Lots of variables come into play with any real-life game such as momentum, win/loss record, and injuries. So, it is not entirely possible to have a 100% authentic prediction, but this still gives us a general idea of how the game could potentially go.

This week’s Madden 20 sim takes us to Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions as they host the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Both teams are undefeated which means Sunday will hurt a division leader’s place in the standings—either in the NFC North or AFC West.

Here’s a look at our simulation results.

1st Quarter

Things started out hot for Kansas City yet again as their offense trotted onto the field. The Lions had opted to defer the ball to the Chiefs to start the first half. The first couple of plays were one in the same: a couple short, yet solid back-to-back runs that would eventually open up the passing lanes. Spoiler alert: they accomplished just that.

On the fifth play of the drive, the Chiefs found themselves in a 2nd & 10 situation. Normal offenses would possibly opt to run the ball up the middle and churn out a few yards to make the distance to the marker a little more manageable. If there’s one thing we’ve learned about the Chiefs this season, it’s that they don’t have a normal offense.

Patrick Mahomes took the snap. First look, no dice. Second look, no go. Third look, zzzzzp. That’s the sound of the ball whizzing over a defender and to running back LeSean McCoy, whose elite ball carrier skills allowed him to zoom past defenders for what felt like an easy 25-yard gain.

The next few plays were all decent-sized gains, and Kansas City had no problem moving the ball downfield. With rushes from Darrel Williams and LeSean McCoy and catches from Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson, the Chiefs’ offense was rolling. A 20-yard Sluggo to Travis Kelce put the Chiefs up on the board first with a touchdown.

The Lions tried to one-up the Chiefs, managing to take the ball down the field thanks to quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s very powerful right arm. Back-to-back passes of 15+ yards helped cap a 75-yard drive by Stafford and company, ultimately tying the game. The first quarter came to a close with a tie game, 7-7.

2nd Quarter

The second quarter started much like the first, with McCoy taking back-to-back-to-back carries for a combined total of 18 yards. One would think the game plan was to run the offense through McCoy with the amount of touches he was getting. As the Chiefs drove down the field, it felt as though a ballad striking fear into the hearts of the enemy could be heard. The Imperial March by John Williams could have just as easily been dubbed over this simulated game at this exact moment. The imperial drive eventually led to a touchdown, seeing Darrel Williams bulldoze his way up the middle for a 1-yard score.

The Lions got their chance to drive down the field once more. A 6-yard rush by Kerryon Johnson set the stage on 1st & 10, but quickly led to a spicy 3rd & 4 situation as Stafford threw an incomplete pass to fullback Nick Bawden. No matter for the Lions, though, who quickly recovered with back-to-back receptions by T.J. Hockensen, the rookie first-round tight end out of Iowa. Several short passes down the field to the likes of Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola, and Kenny Golladay put the Lions in a tough-yet-manageable 3rd & 7 situation.

Stafford takes the snap, drops back… and for whatever reason, nukes it to the right side of the field in an attempt to find one of his receivers. Zilch. The Chiefs bent but held up strong toward the end and forced the Lions to kick a field goal; their only points of that quarter. After driving down the field once more, a drive in which Robinson had the most valuable performance, the Chiefs were able to score and put themselves up 21-10 at the end of the first half.

3rd & 4th Quarter

The second half started out similar to the first: two quick rushes were able to open up the passing lanes for Mahomes.

On 3rd & 5, Mahomes took the snap, and just as quickly as he held the ball, he chucked it. On the receiving end was Sammy Watkins, who had been relatively quiet throughout the first half. No matter, though, as Watkins was able to shimmy his way for a 23-yard gain and put the Chiefs on Detroit’s 49 yard-line. The drive ultimately stalled out, though, as a forced throwaway and a dropped pass by Kelce forced the Chiefs to punt the ball.

The Lions looked on fire for the offense’s first drive of the second half, with several decent-sized plays in rapid succession. A very nice reception by Travis Fulgham put the Lions in the red zone, but once again, the Chiefs’ red zone defense was able to hold them back. The Lions were forced to kick a field goal, and things were looking quite bleak for the 2-0-1 team. No matter, though, as a bounce back in the fourth quarter was eminent.

With the score sitting at 28-13 in favor of the Chiefs, it seemed as though the game was all but decided. Stafford attempted to add yet another fourth quarter comeback to his belt as he led his offense to back-to-back touchdown drives which had lessened the deficit by a touchdown (35-27).

With just 5 minutes left in the game, McCoy churned out even more yards as the Chiefs looked to put the icing on the cake. They managed to do just that, as the team controlled the clock for the rest fo the game. McCoy had 40 rushing yards on that drive alone, and sealed the team’s victory.

An air raid coupled with a crazy rush game is almost unheard of at this level, but Andy Reid‘s offense was able to get it done.

Final Score: 35-27, Chiefs

Highlighted Performances:

• QB Patrick Mahomes: 29-of-38, 330 yards, 4 touchdowns, 136.9 rating
• RB LeSean McCoy: 23 carries for 153 rushing yards, 1 touchdown, 5 broken tackles; 1 reception, 25 yards
• WR Demarcus Robinson: 10 receptions, 99 yards, 1 touchdown
• WR Danny Amendola: 8 receptions, 108 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Sammy Watkins: 7 receptions, 87 yards, 1 touchdown