The Detroit Lions’ 2025 season was a disappointment in so many ways. But none more humiliating than the fact that Madden—an extremely flawed video game—was better at predicting Lions outcomes than I was. And it wasn’t particularly close.
Our weekly Madden simulations, where we live-stream a game of computer vs. computer Madden game, actually went 10-5 this year predicting the winner of each Lions game (Note: We didn’t simulate last week’s Christmas game against the Vikings). My On Paper previews went 7-9. Maybe changes are inevitable for me, too.
Self-pity aside, here are the weekly results of our Madden simulations.
Week 1 at Packers
- Madden score: 16-13 Packers
- Actual score: 27-13 Packers
Week 2 vs. Bears
- Madden score: 21-15 Lions
- Actual score: 52-21 Lions
Week 3 at Ravens
- Madden score: 24-14 Ravens
- Actual score: 38-30 Lions
Week 4 vs. Browns:
- Madden score: 33-3 Lions
- Actual score: 34-10 Lions
Week 5 vs. Bengals:
- Madden score: 24-22 Bengals
- Actual score: 37-24 Lions
Week 6 vs. Chiefs
- Madden score: 34-30 Chiefs
- Actual score: 30-17 Chiefs
Week 7 vs. Buccaneers
- Madden score: 31-28 Lions
- Actual score: 24-9 Lions
Week 9 vs. Vikings
- Madden score: 31-23 Lions
- Actual score: 27-24 Vikings
Week 10 vs. Commanders:
- Madden score: 21-7 Commanders
- Actual score: 44-22 Lions
Week 11 vs. Eagles:
- Madden score: 22-14 Eagles
- Actual score: 16-9 Eagles
Week 12 vs. Giants:
- Madden score: 31-23 Lions
- Actual score: 34-27 Lions (OT)
Week 13 vs. Packers:
- Madden score: 34-27 Lions
- Actual score: 31-24 Packers
Week 14 vs. Cowboys:
- Madden score: 21-13 Lions
- Actual score: 44-30 Lions
Week 15 vs. Rams
- Madden score: 38-10 Rams
- Actual score: 41-34 Rams
Week 16 vs. Steelers
- Madden score: 26-21 Steelers
- Actual score: 29-24 Steelers
We conclude our 2025 Madden simulation series on Saturday morning live on our Twitch and YouTube pages. If you want to join in the fun—where I will also chat with our live audience and answer Detroit Lions questions—here’s how to tune in:
What: Lions vs. Bears — Week 18 Madden 26 simulation
When: 10 a.m. ET — Saturday, January 3
Where: Twitch.tv/prideofdetroit or YouTube.com/@Prideofdetroit (or embedded below)
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