You can still get together with your friends for beer and wings this Sunday, but you might not need to tune into the Big Game.
That's because EA Sports, the maker of the best-selling Madden NFL 12 video game, has run a simulation of the Super Bowl showdown between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, and found the Giants will win 27 — 24.
The annual simulation has the computer-controlled teams duke it out on an Xbox 360 console. Hundreds of stats and other variables are taken into account to create the players' and teams' artificial intelligence (A.I.), plus the most recent roster update is used, along with penalties and injuries enabled.
The video below shows the game being played, with highlights from all four quarters. The New York Giants capture their fourth Vince Lombardi Trophy after kicker Lawrence Tynes punts a game-winning 40-yard field goal.
EA Sports says the climactic conclusion of the game will be reminiscent of what happened four seasons ago when the Giants trumped the Patriots 17 - 14 after a dramatic game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Giants QB Eli Manning will be named the game's MVP, completing 25 of 39 passes with two touchdowns and an interception, says EA Sports. New England's Tom Brady will also have a big day on Sunday, throwing for 327 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
Dating back to Super Bowl XXXVIII, EA Sports has had a good track record by calling Super Bowl winners, with six out of the last eight champs accurately predicted.
During the 2011 Stanley Cup finals, EA got 13/15 match-ups correct. Picking the Canucks to win in 7, which ended up being Boston in 7.
