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The Saturday Sim: Cardinals-Giants

This week in the Saturday Sim, we feature a battle on Sunday night between the Arizona Cardinals Mail_mediumand the New York Giants. Let me tell you this - it was an interesting game to say the least. For those of you that aren't familiar with this segment, I'll watch a simulation, or a game on Madden 10, between the Cardinals, and whoever they face for that given week. The quarters are 8 minutes, the penalties are turned up, the difficulty is All-Madden, and the rosters, time and weather are all up to date. It's probably the best and easiest way to simulate a game, although simulations can be very inaccurate at times. The game was a close one, and at times I even got into it. Here's how it went down.

First Quarter:

- The Giants receive the ball. After two runs, Eli Manning throws a pick to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who then returns it for a touchdown, similar to the one against the Texans. On the Giants following drive, they encounter a three and out and punt the ball. On the Cardinals first offensive drive, Larry Fitzgerald can't hold onto a would-be first down, and the Cardinals also punt. On the Giants next drive, Eli Manning starts with a play-action pass, which results in a 30 yard gain by Kevin Boss. The Giants march down the field with great protection for Eli, who throws a 33 yard sideline pass to Hakeem Nicks. Brandon Jacobs runs in the 1 yard touchdown. Game tied 7-7.

- On the Cardinals next drive, Kurt Warner throws a pick to Corey Webster. However, the Giants move the ball very little, before Manning throws yet another interception to Rodgers-Cromartie. The Cardinals can't protect Warner, and are forced to settle for a field goal. 10-7 Cardinals.

- The Giants continue to air it out, throwing deep balls to Nicks. A crucial sack in the end zone forces them to also settle for a field goal. Game tied 10-10 

Star-divide

Second Quarter:

- The Second quarter features a lot of the same from the Cardinals. They can't run the ball at all, and are passing down field a lot. At the midfield point, Kurt Warner throws an outside pass to Tim Hightower, who breaks a tackle to run 55 yards for the touchdown. Cardinals lead 17-10

- The Giants are also forced to pass more, as Brandon Jacobs has had trouble running so far. Eli Manning continues to throw the ball to Kevin Boss, his go to man. After an offensive hold, Manning throws his third pick of the game to Karlos Dansby. Unfortunately, the Cardinals can't capitalizeon the turnover. Poor protection results in a tipped pass that is intercepted by Fred Robbins. With good field position, Eli Manning throws a sideline pass to Boss, who high steps too early, but makes the dive for the touchdown. 17-17.

- With little time left before halftime, Warner marches down the field, throwing a 39 yard pass to Jerheme Urban. Warner makes a huge mistake, throwing his third interception of the game in the end zone to  Michael Johnson. End of first half.

Third Quarter

- In the third quarter, the Cardinals come out swinging, throwing big passes to Steve Breaston. Breaston breaks one for 25 yards down the sideline to give the Cardinals the score and put them in the lead. 24-17 Cardinals.

- The next few drives feature three and outs by both teams, using much of the time in the quarter. The Giants finally start to put things together, playing balanced. Jacobs is running better, plowing over several defenders. This sets up the play action pass, which gives Manning more time in the pocket and open receivers. The Giants can't convert a crucial third down however, and settle for a field goal. 24-20 Cardinals.

Fourth Quarter

- In the 4th quarter, the Cardinals are more conservative, hoping to establish the run, and drain whatever time is left on the clock. They settle for a long field goal, but miss, keeping the score the same. The Giants however, are moving much more quickly and easily at that. They continue to give the ball to Jacobs to set up the play action. Manning has plenty of time to throw as well. In the red zone, Jacobs breaks several tackles for 15 yards and takes the ball to the 1 yard line before he is stopped. Ahmad Bradshaw runs in the touchdown, giving the Giants the lead 27-24.

- Time is now becoming of the essence, as there is 3:30 left on the clock. Kurt Warner continues to get rattled, forcing a 3rd and long. Fitzgerald makes a great catch to keep the drive alive. The Cardinals run into another 3rd and long, but Warner is hit as he throws. With less then 2 minutes to go, the Cardinals decide to punt the ball away and let their defense win(I should say I didn't agree with this, but as you will see, I was wrong). A huge holding call puts the Giants at 1st and long. The Cardinals stuff three running attempts in a row, and burn all three time outs, giving them a little over a minute left. They get the ball back with a 15 yard punt return by Steve Breaston. Facing 3rd and 8 and near field goal range, Hightower makes a first down catch and the Cardinals spike the ball. With 3 second left, Neil Rackers ties the game 27-27.

Overtime

- The Cardinals win the toss, and elect to receive. On the very first play of overtime, the Cardinals decide to run with the outside toss to Tim Hightower. He gets several big blocks and breaks the run 50 yards before he is tackled at the 12. Neil Rackers lines up the makes the field goal!! Cardinals win 30-27.

The Stats

Team Stats Cardinals Giants
Total
Yards
409 429
Rush 54 91
Pass 355 338
First
Downs
13 19
TOs 3 3
3rd Down 5-10(50%) 7-13(53%)
Penalties 6-48 9-82
TOP 13:46 19:52

Passing Comp/Att Yards TD INT Rating
Warner 24/38 63% 355 2 3 78.3
Manning 23/39 58% 344 1 3 64.5

Rushing Att Yards Avg TD
Hightower 7 57 8.1 0
Jacobs 18 80 4.4 1

Receiving Rec Yards Avg TD
Fitzgerald 7 69 9.8 0
Boldin 4 47 11.7 0
Breaston 4 87 21.7 1
Hightower 4 80 20.0 1
Boss 7 99 14.1 1
Nicks 4 102 25.5 0
Manningham 4 67 16.7 0
Smith 2 23 11.5 0

Thoughts

I do believe that this will be a battle till the end of the game, as long as the Cardinals don't fold under the national pressure. This game could also go either way, but the Madden gods were nice enough to give us a win today. What are your thoughts on the simulation? Are the stats way off or accurate?

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There is no way they will turn the ball over that much tomorrow.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Oct 24, 2009 6:41 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it was actually right with Manning.

Just take away 100 yards and its almost exactly what he had.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Oct 26, 2009 8:05 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ok, so you still have way too much time on your hands

Seriously though, as someone who has never seen madden, I do have some questions.
Do they provide any stats on the reliability of the SIM?
In sim mode, you don’t control anyone at all right?
How long does it take to run?
Can you set it to run a game 100 times overnight or do you have to restart it every time?

Suddent realization of what I am doing. Pause. I can’t beleive you sucked me into talking about a video game, I need to go take a long look in the mirror. See ya!

by Drullin'OverDaCards on Oct 24, 2009 6:52 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Stats can be realistic sometimes

In the sim you don’t control anyone, and it can take around an hour when I do it using 15 minute quarters with a 25 second runoff, and you have to restart it manually.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Oct 24, 2009 7:45 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, its a video game so there isn’t an option to “sim” bit you can watch the game, which is the same thing. I don’t control the game, just watch. I could sim it 100 times but that would take too long. Its just an interesting way to watch both teams play eachother and post the results.

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Oct 24, 2009 9:16 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

As much as we would love it

I don’t think Boss has been targeted seven times in a game in the last three years.

Homer: Aw, twenty dollars! I wanted a peanut!
Homer's Brain: Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!
Homer: Explain how!
Homer's Brain: Money can be exchanged for goods and services!
Homer: Woo-hoo!

by bigbluethruandthru on Oct 24, 2009 6:57 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

the cards have been burned by tight ends this year. it could happen

What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Oct 24, 2009 9:17 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions   0 recs

Thers no way

that Tynes kicks TWO field goals without doing something wrong that causes all Giants fans to cringe and hang their heads.

It would save the Giants Defence a lot of time if QBs just stayed down!

by ChuckyofNorris on Oct 24, 2009 7:28 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I don’t know how close it is but it was a fun read.I sure hope Warner don’t through 3 picks because if he does i think your sim blows up

by tigg on Oct 25, 2009 6:13 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Did a sime myself just to see how close the score would be to this one.

Came out being 20-16 Giants and they won it by a last second touchdown. Seems like Madden thinks this will be a close game. I think it is crucial that if we lose is has to be close, will help our team believe we can play anyone and have a chance to win.

by Pyromnc on Oct 25, 2009 10:10 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

GAME ON

MY GAMER TAG IS DACRAMER ON X BOX AND ILL BE GLAD TO PLAY SOME ONE ON MADDEN 10

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on Oct 26, 2009 8:24 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

CHECK OUT FAN POST

TAME THE CAT SEE IF YOU ALL AGREE WITH ME OR NOT FOR NEXT WEEK AGAINST THE GIANTS

The Devil Birds just got cha

by DaCards on Oct 26, 2009 8:25 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs


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