‘Madden’ shows some heart, predicts the Texans to rally and the Dolphins to pay

Madden has proven to be a cruel, heartless digital football god. Whether it is repeatedly, almost pathologically predicting the same players to be injured over and over, or if it just refuses to give plucky underdogs like the Jets or Browns a shot at the upset, Madden can be harsh.

This week, however, seems to be an exception. After coming off its worst week yet only sub-.500 performance at 6-7, you’d be forgiven for expecting Madden to play it safe. The predictions are all based on hard, cold numbers, so it is typically a matter of putting all the pieces in the right place at the right level, and then running the probabilities over and over.  The game doesn’t take into account things like momentum or heart.  But sometimes it can surprise you. 

The Houston Texans began the season with big expectations. They were considered among the 10 best teams in the NFL, coming off back-to-back years where they were legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Last year they started the season 11-1, and while losses at a few key positions in the off season definitely hurt, few expected them to start out a disappointing 2-6. Injuries certainly played a part; star running back and former-fantasy football god Arian Foster hasn’t been 100-percent all season. The Texans other running back Ben Tate is playing with multiple broken ribs. Quarterback Matt Schaub was carted off the field to the sound of hometown fans booing him. Last week was perhaps the most shocking injury though, as Houston coach Gary Kubiak suffered a mini-stroke during a game against the Colts.

On paper, the Texans should lose this week to the 4-4 Arizona Cardinals, who will have Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald at (or at least near) 100-percent for the first time all season. Playing at home, the Cardinals should have no problem beating the Texans’ interim coach Wade Phillips and former back up QB Case Keenum. On paper. According to Madden though, the Texans won’t just win, they will demolish the Cardinals by a staggering 32 points. For a computer simulation, it is shocking, but for the real world, it actually makes sense. 

Athletes tend to rally when tragedy strikes. Kubiak has been the head coach in Houston since 2006. He is the heart and soul of that team, and if ever there were a time for the team to come together it would be now. After being named as the starter over Schaub, Keenum is settling into the role as a starting QB, and the former University of Houston QB has the support of the team and the community. In two games he has thrown 621 yards and 4 TDs with no interceptions, bringing some optimism back to the Texans.  Kubiak is expected back next week, but don’t be surprised to see the Texans put up their finest performance this season in support of their coach and new QB.

And Madden’s gentle touch doesn’t end there. The winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers face off against the 4-4 Miami Dolphins on Monday night. Even though the game is in Tampa Bay, the Dolphins should be the clear favorites – and yet Madden has the Bucs handily winning by two touchdowns. On paper, the Dolphins are the better team. But following the bullying allegations that resulted in Jonathan Martin leaving the team and Richie Incognito being indefinitely suspended, plus revelations that the Dolphins staff encouraged tougher treatment of Martin, the team is in disarray. A blowout loss isn’t just possible, it may be likely.  

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