REDWOOD CITY, Calif — February 1, 2016 – Today Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), officially unveiled the Madden NFL 16 Super Bowl prediction, which has tabbed the Carolina Panthers as the next world champions, defeating the Denver Broncos 24 – 20. For the first time ever, fans can get in on the action for themselves by heading over to the Madden NFL 16 Super Bowl Prediction Hub and create their own outcome based on a variety of factors. Fans can then share their dream Super Bowl 50 outcome with the hashtag #MyMaddenPrediction.
Carolina set the tone early in Super Bowl 50, jumping out to a 10 – 0 lead on the strength of a huge kick return by Ted Ginn Jr., which Cam Newton finished off with a touchdown pass to Greg Olsen. The Panthers added a field goal to close the quarter, and then scored again in the 2nd on a Jonathan Stewart rushing touchdown.
Facing a 17-point deficit at halftime, Peyton Manning decided he wasn’t going to let his Super Bowl legacy be defined by two blowout losses and rallied the Denver offense. The consummate playmaker, Manning began dissecting the Carolina defense, capping off a 3rd quarter drive with a touchdown toss to Emanuel Sanders. Denver’s defense also responded, with Aqib Talib picking off Cam Newton and setting up a Broncos field goal. Denver continued their scoring explosion, adding another filed goal and pulling to within 17 – 13.
Denver kept the momentum rolling in the 4th, with Manning finding Demaryius Thomas for another touchdown, putting Denver up 20 – 17. Cam Newton wasn’t done writing his own Super Bowl legend though, putting the team on his back and scoring a game-winning touchdown with a determined goal line scramble. After a wild and emotional game the Panthers stood victorious, claiming Super Bowl 50 by a score of 24 – 20.
After a thrilling contest, Cam Newton claimed the Super Bowl MVP Award, completing 19 of 26 passes for 216 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Jonathan Stewart added a touchdown of his own on 47 rushing yards, with Greg Olsen tallying 79 receiving yards and catching Newton’s only TD pass. On the defensive side, Josh Norman led the Panthers with 6 tackles and one interception.
Across the field, Peyton Manning completed 21 of 37 passes for Denver, tallying 241 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Demaryius Thomas was Manning’s favorite target, hauling in six receptions for 98 yards, and one touchdown. Emanuel Sanders claimed Denver’s other touchdown, alongside 65 yards on five catches. Aqib Talib provided the biggest impact for Denver’s defense, with five tackles and one interception.
The Madden NFL Super Bowl prediction is one of the most accurate and widely-celebrated in the world, correctly calling nine of the last twelve championships. Last year’s prediction not only correctly forecast the final score, but also accurately called that Tom Brady would win the Super Bowl MVP award, that New England would overcome a 10-point 3rd quarter deficit and that Julian Edelman would score the deciding touchdown. The prediction also called for Edelman to finish the game with eight catches for 106 yards, he actually ended up with nine catches for 109.
EA Access* members can get even more football action starting tomorrow, when Madden NFL 16 enters The Vault, a growing collection of great EA games like Battlefield 4™, Dragon Age™: Inquisition and EA SPORTS™ FIFA 15 that members can play as much as they want. Players will have access to the full game, and can enjoy popular features like the new playmaker controls for receivers, defenders and quarterbacks, as well as a whole new way to play Madden NFL with Draft Champions**. EA Access members also receive a 10% discount on all EA digital purchases on Xbox One, including Madden Ultimate Team points, pre-orders, and full games.
* CONDITIONS, LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS APPLY. SEE EA.COM/EAACCESS/TERMS AND EA.COM/EAACCESS FOR DETAILS.
**INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED TO PLAY DRAFT CHAMPIONS.
Madden NFL 16 is developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon and is available now for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® games and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 entertainment system. To learn more about Madden NFL 16, visit http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl.
All player participation has been facilitated by NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).
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