There are many different ways to go about predicting the winner of an NFL game; studying scouting reports, analyzing individual matchups, checking out the experts’ football picks, those are just a few of the tools experts use to make their predictions. Those are all fine methods, but I prefer a more modern way, playing the match-up on Madden 2010 and seeing who comes out on top. Here is this week’s game prediction:

Chiefs Seal Win with Succop Field Goal

With only 22 seconds left on the clock, rookie kicker Ryan Succop nailed a 35-yard field goal sneaking it just inside the left upright to give the visiting Kansas City Chiefs over a 20-17 victory over the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders used an impressive third quarter surge to tie the game up. To start the quarter, Zach Miller caught a 3-yard JaMarcus Russell pass for a touchdown and running back Michael Bush busted loose for a 12-yard touchdown run.

But it was Russell’s interceptions that did the Raiders in. Twice in the fourth quarter Russell was picked off by the Chiefs secondary. Brandon Carr got the first interception, stepping in front of Louis Murphy at the 20-yard line to stall the first big Raiders drive. Then late in the fourth, Jarrad Page intercepted a pass intended for Darrius Heyward-Bay. That interception set the Chiefs up for their winning kick.

Quarterback Matt Cassel had a solid day for the Chiefs. He completed 21 of 36 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

Game Stats

Kansas City Passing:
Matt Cassel 21 of 36 for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns

Oakland Passing:
JaMarcus Russell 19 of 33 for 149 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions

Kansas City Rushing:
Jamaal Charles 13 carries for 54 yards
Kolby Smith 10 carries for 37 yards
Matt Cassel 2 carries for 15 yards
Dantrell Savage 1 carry for 3 yards

Oakland Rushing:
Michael Bush 14 carries for 52 yards and 1 touchdown
Justin Fargas 11 carries for 81 yards
JaMarcus Russell 4 carries for 18 yards

Kansas City Receiving:
Dwayne Bowe 8 receptions for 73 yards and 1 touchdown
Chris Chambers 5 receptions for 48 yards
Lance Long 4 receptions for 45 yards and 1 touchdown
Bobby Wade 2 receptions for 21 yards
Jamaal Charles 2 receptions for 18 yards

Oakland Receiving:
Zach Miller 6 receptions for 69 yards and 1 touchdown
Darrius Heyward-Bay 5 receptions for 24 yards
Louis Murphy 4 receptions for 31 yards
Justin Fargas 3 receptions for 13 yards
Darren McFadden 1 reception for 12 yards