I've completed my sim of the game...and it was ugly. The Pats won 57-10, which was capped by 8 INT thrown by Panthers QB Jake Delhomme.
Offensive yardage was more aerial, with 413 of Carolina's 482 yards and 359 of New England's 398 yards coming overhead. The Pats had more punt return yards (133) than there were total rushing yards (108), capped by an 80-yard punt return by Bethel Johnson. Only one penalty in the game, a holding on a kickoff by the Panthers.
Passing, again, played a huge part in the game, and Tom Brady was far more accurate (35 for 68, 3 TDs, 2 INT) than his counterpart (38 for 91, 8 INT, 0 TD), thouh Brady was sacked 7 times. The longest run by either team was 10 yards, by Antowain Smith and Stephen Davis. Longest reception was a Kevin Faulk 32-yard catch.
Defense played a huge role on both sides, but MVP Otis Smith was "all upons", snagging 3 INTs. Eugene Wilson and Ted Washington gave the Pats 12 more points, on and 80-yard INT and an 80-yard fumble return on a fake FG (mind you, Ted Washington is a 300+ pound nose tackle), respectively.
Todd Sauerbrun punting was a common occurence in the first half, having punted 10 times before the half. (He punted only 4 more times.) Ken Walter also punted frequently, booting off 13 punts. (Surprisingly, Walter, usually a poor punter, bested the typically better Sauerbrun in net yardage, 33.3 to 25.8.) Adam Vinatieri also had a career game, kicking 5 field goals, none of which would be considered as clutch as his any of the ones so associated with him.
(The game was simulated using Madden 2004 on All-Pro level. 15 minute quarters.)
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