St. Louis Rams @ Dallas Cowboys Madden 25 Simulation

This is coming in a little late than the last couple of weeks, but dont worry I did not forget to do the Madden 25 simulation of this very important matchup between the Rams and Cowboys. Since beginning this series the Rams are 0-2 in the Madden world and have not looked all that impressive. Unfortunately that trend continued this week as the Rams fell to  the Cowboys 38-33.

This game had the feel for a defensive low scoring game early on as the Rams were only up 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, as Greg Zuerlein kicked a field goal on the Rams first drive. Little did we know that this game would turn into a shootout. The Cowboys then scored 21 unanswered points coming from two DeMarco Murray touchdown runs and a Jason Witten touchdown reception from Tony Romo. The Rams would finally get going in the second quarter as Daryl Richardson would score the Rams’ first touchdown of the day on a one-yard touchdown run. Going into the second half the Rams were down 21-10 and off to yet another one of their famous slow starts.

The third quarter was overall pretty uneventful, the defenses were stout and both teams offenses struggled to move the ball. The Rams finally made a positive play as James Laurainitis sacked Tony Romo who fumbled the ball which was recovered by DE Eugene Sims who picked it up and ran it 40 yards the other direction for a Rams touchdown. Being down now 24-19 the Rams went for two to try to make it a three point game, but could not convert. The Rams were going to go into the 4th quarter only down 24-19.

In the 4th quarter the Tony Romo and the Cowboys turned up the heat and started playing the football they were playing in the 2nd quarter as on their first possession Romo hooked up with Dez Bryant on a 24 yard touchdown pass. The Rams would respond however to keep the game close with a nine yard Bradford touchdown pass to Jared Cook. The Rams defense would stop the Cowboys offense on their next drive, and the offense drove the ball to the Cowboys 42 yard line where the drive would stall and they would be forced to punt. That would be the Rams one and only chance to get back ahead in the game as the Cowboys would score another touchdown and go ahead 38-26. The Rams got the ball back with under two minutes  to play and Bradford hooked up with Brian Quick on three consecutive passes, the last one being a 4 yard touchdown pass to put the Rams back within one score. The Rams failed to recover the onside kick and the Cowboys would take a knee to end the game and win 38-33.

Sam Bradford threw for a career high 384 yards and two touchdowns on 32/43 attempts. Daryl Richardson got only 14 carries, but still managed 56 yards and a touchdown. Brian  Quick lead the team in receptions and reception yards as he had 7 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown. Madden sees Brian Quick’s potential, now if only Brian Quick could see his own potential. Jared Cook had the next highest reception yards with 77 on six catches.

For the Cowboys Tony Romo went 33/40 for 321 yards and two touchdowns along with his fumble. Where the Cowboys really excelled offensively was in the run game. Murray had 28 carries for 105 yards and Lance Dunbar had 10 carries for 74. Dez Bryant lead the Cowboys receivers with 94 yards on six catches and then to no surprise Jason Witten was Romo’s favorite target as he had 11 receptions for 66 yards.

Defensively for the Rams Alec Ogletree lead the team in tackles with 12 with was remarkable considering the next best was Janoris Jenkins with 6. Robert Quinn got to Romo on two different occasions. Jeremelle Cudjo, Brandon McGee, and James Laurinaitis also recorded sacks.

For the Cowboys Sean Lee lead them in tackles with 9and Barry Church was right behind him with 6. Anthony Spencer got to Bradford twice while Demarcus Ware only got to Bradford once.

Madden proved that this is going to be a close game that is going to go down to the 4th quarter. The Rams must avoid getting off to a slow start, it’s difficult to overcome a large deficit on the road. Both teams are 1-1 and will try to avoid going 1-2. Unfortunately, Madden 25 predicts that it will be the Rams.