‘Madden’ sim has Cardinals beating Panthers 38-24 behind 5 sacks, 3 INTs

The Arizona Cardinals will face the Carolina Panthers in real life Sunday afternoon for their Week 4 matchup. They have not beaten the Panthers since 2013.

If the game really goes the way a simulation of the game went on “Madden NFL 23,” Cardinals fans will be pleased.

The Cardinals beat the Panthers 38-24 behind four rushing touchdowns by James Conner, three interceptions five sacks by the defense.

Cardinals vs. Panthers Madden simulation results

The Cardinals turned the ball over in their first possession on a Kyler Murray interception but the defense held the Panthers to punts on both their first drives.

The Cardinals took a 7-0 lead with a one-yard touchdown run by running back James Conner and added a two-yard touchdown run after Isaiah Simmons intercepted Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The Panthers made it 14-3 with a 26-yard field goal after Markus Golden had a sack on third-and-goal.

The Cardinals extended the lead to 21-3 after Mayfield threw was picked off by Golden and Murray threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Greg Dortch.

The Panthers responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass to receiver Robbie Anderson.

The Cardinals punted on their next possession but took a 28-10 lead before halftime when Mayfield threw an other interception, his third of the half, picked off by Marco Wilson. Conner scored for the third time from one yard out and it was 28-10 at halftime.

After both teams punted, Conner had another one-yard touchdown run to make it 35-10.

Mayfield threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes but the Cardinals added a 46-yard field goal in between them and ran out the clock for the win.

Cardinals-Panthers stats from Madden sim

Kyler Murray completed 20-of-30 passes for 263 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He was sacked five times in the game.

Conner had four rushing touchdowns on 16 carries for 56 yards. Murray rushed eight times for 23 yards.

Hollywood Brown had six catches for 75 yards, Rondale Moore had five for 78, Zach Ertz had four for 49 and Greg Dortch had three for 44 yards and the touchdown.

Isaiah Simmons, Markus Golden and Marco Wilson all picked off Baker Mayfield and the defense had five sacks — Golden and Zach Allen each had 1.5, J.J. Watt had one and both Dennis Gardeck and Budda Baker were credited with half a sack.

For the Panthers, Baker Mayfield was 26-for-43 passing for 302 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Christian McCaffrey had 57 rushing yards on 13 carries and added 56 receiving yards and a touchdown on six receptions. Robbie Anderson had seven catches for 81 yards and a score, while tight end Ian Thomas caught six passes for 61 yards.

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Story originally appeared on Cards Wire