Just how accurate is “Madden” really?

With “Madden NFL 18” officially hitting shelves Friday, we decided to run a simulated season in order to see how the latest installment in the long-running football simulation franchise would predict the upcoming league year will play out.

View photos A total of 70 players in the NFL, including one rookie, are considered clutch by Madden 18. Here they are, broken down by position. (Sporting News/EA Sports) More

Here are 18 takeaways from Shutdown Corner’s simulated “Madden” season:

1. The Super Bowl champ was exactly who you’d expect

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that New England won the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. Tom Brady (who is on the game’s cover) threw five touchdowns en route to a 32-19 win over the Seahawks.

2. But the Patriots didn’t finish with the best regular-season record

While they lost in the Super Bowl, the Seahawks did sport the league’s best record, going 14-2 in the regular season.

3. A first-time MVP?

In addition to having the league’s best record, Seattle also had the league MVP. Russell Wilson’s 4,101 yards, 36 TDs and a record-setting 73% completion rate were more than enough to take home the honor.

4. No perfection for Patriots. Not even close

New England, a team that some believe can make a run at a perfect 19-0 record, fell short of that goal, going 12-4. The Patriots did go a perfect 6-0 in the AFC East as well as going 4-0 against NFC opponents.

5. Surprising Saints

While the Patriots’ 12-4 record was a surprise in a negative way, New Orleans’ 12-4 mark was a surprise in a positive way. The Saints won the NFC South by three games and were 7-1 (shocker) at home.

6. Fantasy players take note: “Madden” thinks Adrian Peterson has a lot left

New Orleans was bolstered by a strong performance from Adrian Peterson. The newly acquired running back rushed for 1,150 yards and 10 TDs on 289 carries – something the Saints would certainly sign up for this year.

7. “Beast Mode” still going strong

Speaking of running backs in new places, new Oakland Raider Marshawn Lynch was all about that action, boss. “Beast Mode” finished fifth in the league in rushing with 1,264 yards and surpassed the 300-carry mark (303) while adding nine TDs.

View photos Marshawn Lynch had a nice season with the Raiders in “Madden.” (Twitter.com/EAMaddenNFL) More

8. Todd Gurley gets out of his slump

Keeping with the rushing theme, Todd Gurley had a bounce-back year, leading the league in rushing (1,436 yards) for the playoff-bound (!) Rams.

9. Blake Bortles was … great?

In the most stunning takeaway from the simulation, Blake Bortles wasn’t just good, he was elite. The embattled Jaguars QB threw for 4,347 yards and had a 7:1 TD to INT ratio (28:4). Jacksonville didn’t make the playoffs but it did finish 9-7.

10. No one signed Colin Kaepernick

The NFL’s most famous free agent couldn’t even get a contract in the video game

11. Dak has a nice sophomore season

Dak Prescott proved to be more than just a one-hit wonder. The Cowboys QB threw for 4,123 yards, 34 TDs and 17 INTs for 9-7 Dallas.

12. Kizer leads the rookie QBs

In an attempt to replicate Prescott’s impressive rookie campaign, the trio of Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson, and DeShone Kizer played very well. Kizer was the best of the bunch, throwing for 3,630 yards, 28 TDs and 13 INTs. Kizer’s Browns also had the best record for a team starting a rookie QB (6-10). Pat Mahomes backed up Alex Smith for the majority of the season.

13. Winless Jets? Not even close

The Jets weren’t as bad as the probably will be in real life. New York finished 4-12 but did give up a league-worst 493 points. Todd Bowles was fired but replaced with Adam Gase. You read that right, because …

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