Madden simulation for Bengals vs Ravens in week 16

The Cincinnati Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens in their biggest game of the 2021 season. The last time these two teams met, the stripes left Baltimore with a 41-17 victory and the game never felt particularly close.

After that win, Cincy was 5-2 and atop the conference playoff standings. Since that time, they’ve gone 3-4 and been as up and down as a team could be. The Ravens are in a similar spot, but they’ve mostly been on a downward spiral due to all of the injuries they’ve had this season.

With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at how our Madden simulation between these two teams played out. Lamar Jackson is healthy for this sim, for what it’s worth.

Madden Simulation – Cincinnati Bengals 28, Baltimore Ravens 31

Bengals Stats

• Joe Burrow – 24-of-40, 380 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 4 carries, 18 yards, TD
• Joe Mixon – 13 carries, 65 yards, TD; 4 rec, 27 yards
• Tee Higgins – 5 rec, 98 yards
• Ja’Marr Chase – 3 rec, 77 yards, TD
• Drew Sample – Rec, 18 yards, TD
• Germaine Pratt – 10 tackles
• Trey Hendrickson – 2 sacks
• Sam Hubbard – 0.5 sack
• Jessie Bates – INT

Ravens Stats

• Lamar Jackson – 17-of-30, 256 yards, INT; 10 carries, 100 yards, 2 TD
• Latavius Murray – 7 carries, 45 yards, TD
• Devonta Freeman – 2 carries, 6 yards, TD
• Rashod Bateman – 4 rec, 96 yards
• Mark Andrews – 3 rec, 77 yards
• Josh Bynes – 7 tackles
• Patrick Queen – Sack; INT
• Anthony Averett – INT

This would be a disappointing outcome, to say the least.

The Bengals have gotten off to slow starts throughout the season and that’s the case here once again. Baltimore takes a 14-0 lead into the locker room at the half thanks to two rushing touchdowns from Jackson and Freeman.

Burrow and the Bengals come out guns blazing in the second half and even the score at 14 points apiece. From there, it’s a back and forth battle with Burrow and Jackson going head-to-head for the rest of the game. Burrow strikes first to put Cincy ahead for the first time with a touchdown pass to Sample, of all people, but Jackson and the Ravens’ offense comes roaring down the field to even things up once again.

Burrow and Chase connect on the next play to go up 28-21 once again and then Jackson scampers into the end zone on Baltimore’s next possession, evening things up.

With the end of regulation nearing, Burrow and the Bengals have a chance to go the length of the field and put the game away in the final seconds with an Evan McPherson field goal attempt. Unfortunately, McPherson never gets a chance to take the field, as Burrow throws a costly interception with 40 seconds remaining.

We all know what happens next, as Baltimore only has to run a few plays to get Justin Tucker close enough to kick the game-winning score. Tucker is clutch once again and knocks his attempt through the uprights, giving Baltimore the win.

This would be a demoralizing way to lose but would anyone be surprised to see it happen this way? Hopefully, Madden is wrong and the stripes not only win this one but win it convincingly.