As they've done for the past couple of seasons, the folks at ESPN are using the latest incarnation of Madden football to predict the entire NFL slate for this season. This week, they predict this week's tilt between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, and if their predictions come true, it should be a happy Monday for Vikings fans.
The ESPN sim is predicting the Vikings will win 24-13 this Sunday at the Metrodome. The sim has Brett Favre completing 17 of his 30 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns, but they also have him throwing two interceptions. Adrian Peterson reached the end zone, but only amassed 88 yards on 21 carries, with a long of 17. Not surprisingly, Visanthe Shiancoe led the Vikings in receiving in this simulation, snagging seven catches for 99 yards and one of Favre's two touchdowns.
On the Lions side, rookie sensation Jahvid Best will continue to light things up, according to the folks at Electronic Arts, racking up 127 yards on only 17 carries and reaching the end zone. Lions' QB Shaun Hill completes 20 of 36 passes for 218 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.
ESPN's Madden simulations are 1-1 thus far in predicting the outcomes of Vikings games in 2010.