Madden 20 simulation. Do the Seahawks reach the NFC Championship Game?
The Seahawks and Packers play at 3:40 p.m. Sunday, capping off what is primed to be an exciting weekend of NFL action as the 2019 NFL playoffs reach the divisional round stage.
However, what if I were to tell you I hopped in my time machine (PS4) and saw a vision of the future in the form of Madden 20. I know EXACTLY what is going to happen in the Seahawks-Packers game. Here’s a look into the future.
First quarter
On the Packers’ first drive, Aaron Rodgers connects with former Seahawk Jimmy Graham on back-to-back passes to get Green Bay two quick first downs and into Seahawks territory. Rodgers completed a total of eight passes on the drive, capped off with his third connection on the drive with Graham to give the Packers a 7-0 lead.
Seattle’s first drive starts out the same, great success passing the football on their first two plays, Russell Wilson to Jacob Hollister for a total of 17 yards. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that Marshawn Lynch would be getting more carries vs. Green Bay, and he was correct as Lynch has back-to-back carries to the tune of 14 yards. After a 29-yard strike to DK Metcalf, Seattle gets inside the Green Bay 10. But the Packers’ defense limits Seattle to a short field goal, making the score 7-3 Green Bay.
Rodgers continues his hot passing by completing nine of his first 10 passes in the game, and once against gets Green Bay quickly across midfield. Seattle comes up with a huge stand on 3rd down to force a punt.
Seattle seems to have struck gold with a 48-yard pass play that puts them deep into Green Bay territory, but it is called back due to a Mike Iupati holding penalty. On 3rd and inches, Wilson gets stopped on a keeper and Seattle is forced to punt. Seattle’s punt goes out of bounds just shy on the goal line and the Packers are forced to start at their own 1.
SAFETY!
Jadevon Clowney takes down Green Bay’s Aaron Jones in the end zone on the first play of the drive, giving the Seahawks two points and making the score 7-5 Green Bay.
The Green Bay offense struggles to get its early groove back as Jarran Reed sacks Rodgers to force Green Bay into second- and third-and-long situations.
End of first Quarter: Green Bay 7, Seattle 5
Second quarter
To start the second quarter, the Seahawks face a third-and-2. Lynch picks up the first down with a 3-yard gain. After a 21-yard catch and scamper by Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks cross into Packer territory. Three straight runs by Lynch don’t give Seattle another first down. They’re forced to rely on Jason Myers to nail a 39-yard field goal that is good. Seattle leads 8-7.
Rodgers makes his first mistake of the ballgame as he’s picked off by Ugo Amadi, setting Seattle up at the Green Bay 31.
Seattle can only muster 20 yards of offense and it leads to, yes, another field goal. Seattle leads 11-7.
Jones shakes of the safety to put Green Bay past midfield with a run for 26 yards. However, Green Bay’s 51-yard field goal falls short and the Packers remain four points behind Seattle. The Seahawks turn another possession into a field goal, this time 34 yards out by Myers, 14-7 Seattle.
Seattle’s defense couldn’t hold Green Bay’s Jones much longer. The Packers’ ball carrier takes it 62 yards to the house and we have ourselves a tie ballgame before halftime. 14-14.
Seattle isn’t done just yet, after a 25-yard run by Wilson, the Seahawks tried to get a swing pass out but Green Bay keeps them in bounds and the clock expires to end the half.
Halftime: Seattle 14, Green Bay 14
Third quarter
Just as Green Bay drives past midfield, the Seahawks get another crucial turnover with the ball at the Green Bay 35. After almost taking two sacks on the same play, Wilson scrambles for 24 yards to the Green Bay 13 and an uneventful third quarter continues to trend to a more exciting tone.
Just as Seattle reaches the Green Bay 7, we end the third quarter and enter the fourth.
End of the third Quarter: Seattle 14, Green Bay 14
Fourth quarter
On the second play in the game’s final quarter, Wilson’s pass to Metcalf sails wide and the Seahawks are forced to kick another field goal. Seattle regains the lead 17-14.
On Green Bay’s next possession, Rodgers gets the Packers’ offense back on track, taking the ball inside Seahawks territory. After a first down run by Jamaal Williams, Seattle’s defense stands tall and holds Green Bay to a game-tying field goal with 4:38 left. Tied 17-17.
Green Bay holds the Seahawks to a punt and with 4 seconds left, Rodgers gets two attempts at a Hail Mary, but neither of them are converted. We’re headed to overtime.
End of Regulation: Seattle 17, Green Bay 17
Overtime
Green Bay wins the toss in overtime and takes the ball first. Seattle forces a Green Bay punt, meaning that no matter what happens from here on the first team that scores wins the game.
The biggest play of overtime so far happens when Wilson once again escapes certain disaster for a 24-yard run to the Green Bay 39. Back-to-back passes to Jacob Hollister gets Seattle closer to a potential victory.
Wilson connects with Hollister for the third time in the drive, but the Seahawks are stopped and forced to attempt a 37-yard field goal that would put them in the NFC Championship Game. The kick by Myers is good.
Final: Seattle 20, Green Bay 17
Probably not how you Seahawks fans want to see it happen, but a win is a win, I think you guys will take this result.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
