Every year I pick up the new copy of Madden I always love simulating through the first season and seeing which players turn the corner into big time stars, teams that turn out to surprise everyone or those that under perform. Not that it necessarily holds true to life, but it is nice to see how the virtual world stacks up to the real world.

This article is going to break down the ’09 season showcasing all the major game changers, statistical leaders, injuries and victories. Will the Patriots go undefeated again? Who is going to be the next Adrian Peterson? Will Hester add to his career returns? We shall see.

The Opening Stretch

It is tough to make anything from the first few weeks of the NFL Season because teams can go undefeated through the early stretch and then never win another game, or lose the first three games and then clinch the division down the road.

There are a couple noteworthy stories developing this year though, such as Eli Manning needing to exude himself as an elite QB, the Patriots hangover affect from losing the Super Bowl, and Brett Favre vs. Chad Pennington in week one.

Well the Super Bowl champs had no issues with the Redskins to start the season as Eli Manning dominated, completing 24 of 35 for 276 yards and 4 touchdown passes.

The Super Bowl losers won in convincing style as well over the Chiefs. The big let down of the first week was surely the New York Jets. In typical form, they lost to the Dolphins 24-12. Brett Favre threw a huge pick with 2:20 left in the game to Reggie Torbor, who returned it 71 yards for a touchdown and sealed the victory.

The Jets wasted no time getting it together in week two, finally ending the Patriots' regular season winning streak and taking a 31-24 victory. Favre had two touchdown passes to Tom Brady’s three, but the Jets outlasted the Pats regardless.

The Giants doubters took a big hit after week 3 when they won their third straight of the year over the Bengals.

The Season Starts To Heat Up

I think it’s safe to say that after six weeks statistics can no longer be anomalies and standings start to mean something.

Peyton Manning already has 14 touchdown passes with just five interceptions and over 1,500 passing yards. His new favorite weapon, Reggie Wayne, has seven touchdown receptions and over 500 yards receiving. Tomlinson has also shown fans why he is the number one fantasy choice every year, with 597 yards on the ground, four runs over 20 yards and 29 broken tackles.

Unlike last season, the Giants are hot out of the game, starting the season 4-1. While Eli leads the offensive charge, Justin Tuck is laying QBs down left and right with 7 sacks to go with his 19 tackles.

The two surprise teams of the year thus far are the 5-1 49ers – the only team in the NFC West over .500 – and the Dolphins, who have already won more games than they did all season last year at 3-2. Pennington has thrown 10 touchdown passes and over 1,000 passing yards.

Unfortunately for the Seahawks and Cowboys, their potential for promising years took a beating with injuries to their all-important quarterbacks. Matt Hasselback is out for the year while Tony Romo is out for seven weeks. Both QBs have broken wrists. The Cowboys answered the setback by going out and signing Dante Culpepper to a cheap three year contract to fill the hole and serve as the backup when Romo returns.

The NFC East is the toughest division in football according to Madden, too bad for the Cowboys in our sim.

In It For The Long Haul

Going into week nine things are really starting to shape up.

The MVP race is beginning to look like a duel between between Peyton Manning (2,200 yards, 17 touchdown passes to only 6 interceptions while completing 74 percent of his passes) and Tom Brady (1,974 yards, 11 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions with an identical 74 percent completion percentage). Peyton and his Colts were the only undefeated team going into Week 8 but the Titans ended the streak with a 21-11 victory.

The Giants are on top of the NFC East, but no team in the division is below .500. The 49ers have a commanding 7-1 record to match the Colts. The Packers are also having a nice season at 5-3. Despite starting 1-4, the New York Jets have been able to turn things around and sit at 4-4.

The Miami Dolphins are still the biggest surprise and top story though. The Fins are tied for the division lead with the 5-3 Patriots. Pennington appears to be hooked up to the rejuvenation machine and has over 1,600 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes and completed 72 percent of his passes. Ronnie Brown also has 684 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns.

As far as the rookies go, McFadden is only getting about 12 carries a game so he’s not being used enough to make much of an impact. Him and Fargas are making for a nice backfield duo however.

Meanwhile, Chicago might have finally found the answer at halfback, with Matt Forte – drafted 58th overall – rushing for over 700 yards and 4 touchdowns. On the defensive side, Keith Rivers is having a solid season for the Bengals with 52 tackles and one interception.

And Down The Stretch They Come

By week 15 the top four AFC teams have already clinched playoff spots. The Chargers (12-2), Colts (11-3), Patriots (10-4), and the Browns (10-4) are all just fighting for home field. The Jets hold a one game lead for the first wildcard spot, with a four-way tie at 7-7 between the Steelers, Dolphins, Broncos and Jaguars for the last playoff spot.

The NFC is more up in the air but the 49ers (9-5) are surely making their return to the post-season after a five year drought from the playoffs. The NFC East is very interesting with the Eagles and Giants tied at 9-5 and the 8-6 Redskins right on their heels. The Saints are on the outside looking in as well.

Peyton has all but sealed his MVP candidacy with a 115.2 QB rating and 4,000 yards passing with 32 touchdown and only 10 interceptions.

Peyton Manning led the Colts to yet another successful season in Madden NFL 09.

Wrapping It Up

The last couple weeks brought with it some very meaningful games swaying the outlook of the playoffs.

The NFC turned out to be a much harder conference this season with the Buccaneers clinching home field at a 12-4 record and the Giants, Eagles, and Redskins all making it from the East. The 49ers got into the playoffs with a 10-6 record, and the Packers won their division by going just 8-8.

The Saints ended up with the 6th best record in the conference but missed the playoffs. With their playoff destiny in their hands, they lost at home to the lowly Lions in week 16 - allowing 20 points in the 4th quarter all on touchdown runs.

The AFC was much less chaotic. The Chargers (13-3) clinched home field having the tiebreaker over the Colts (13-3). The Patriots (11-5) took the East and the Browns took the North. The Jets and Steelers rounded out the playoff field.

The Jets could have clinched a spot in week 16 by defeating the Seahawks. They were unable to do so, and setup a week 17 match-up with the Dolphins to determine who went to the playoffs. A defeat by the hands of Pennington would have been another in a series of blows to the Jets franchise, but they prevailed with a big 16 point 4th quarter rally to save face and make the playoffs.

The Steelers backed in by tying the Titans in week 16 and opening the door to the Broncos to win their way into the playoffs in the final week. The Broncos choked, however, losing 28-13 to a Chargers team that had nothing to play for that week.

Peyton took the MVP with Cato June (105 tackles, 5 interceptions) taking the defensive player of the year honors. Forte and Keith Rivers were the offensive and defensive rookie of the year respectively and everything else pretty much finished up as one would expect.

Tomlinson was the best running back with 1,542 yards and seven touchdowns. Reggie Wayne held strong all season and finished with 1,426 yards and 17 touchdowns. Justin Tuck showed why the Giants still have the best defensive line in the league, with 141 tackles and 25 sacks - obliterating Strahan’s previous record of 22.5.

Jon Gruden took home best coach honors, thanks in part to Jeff Garcia’s 3,518 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 67 percent completion percentage.

Darren Sproles may have taken over Hester as the best returner in the league, returning two punts and one kick for a touchdown. All together he had 1,500 return yards, besting Hester's 1,000 return yards.

Wild Card Playoff Games

Steelers 31, Patriots 21
49ers 21, Redskins 6
Browns 23, Jets 13
Packers 31, Eagles 17

Ben Roethlisberger had something to say about the Patriots repeat visit to the Super Bowl. He went 23 of 28 for 316 yards and 4 touchdown passes.

Alex Smith’s first visit to the playoffs was a little shaky with a 73.3 passer rating and no touchdowns with one interception. However, Jason Campbell’s performance was atrocious with a 25.5 rating and 3 interceptions.

Derek Anderson bested Brett Favre in a battle of the new kid on the block vs. the feisty veteran. Anderson threw 3 picks but his 2 touchdown passes were enough with the anemic performance by the Jet’s offense.

Aaron Rodgers calmed the nerves of the Packer front office with a great performance. He had a 101 Passer Rating for 163 yards and 2 touchdown passes.

The Buccaneers should suprise many if their season is anything like the Madden NFL 09 sim.

Divisional Playoff Games

Chargers 29, Steelers 18
Buccaneers 20, Packers 18
Colts 41, Browns 10
Giants 30, 49ers 12

This round could not have gone more straightforward. Only the best are left for the conference championship games. Sorry Cinderella.

The Chargers got some big plays out of their defense with the rookie corner back Antoine Cason, taking charge. He had an interception for a touchdown before the half, hurting the morale of the Steelers.

The Buccaneers and Packers played one for the ages. The two point difference in the game came from a safety by the Buccaneers in the 4th quarter.

The Colts and Giants had good all around play and showcased their season-long dominance.

Conference Championship Games

Chargers 34, Colts 20
Buccaneers 26, Giants 24

The Chargers finally make their way into the Super Bowl after years of disappointing exits. Tomlinson took the Chargers on his back can carried them to the promised land – rushing for 105 yards and a touchdown in addition to his five catches for another 102 yards.

The Bucs believed in themselves all season and avenged last year’s wild card defeat at the hands of the G-Men. The game was extremely close, with Eli throwing a touchdown pass late in the game to take a one point lead. Jeff Garcia answered, driving the Bucs into field goal range, setting up a game winning kick as the clock expired.

Super Bowl

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, San Diego Chargers 22

Tampa Bay’s defense was the answer for the Chargers amazing offense. Tomlinson scored a touchdown but was limited to just 57 yards and Philip Rivers threw four picks.

Garcia was named Super Bowl MVP by going 14 of 24 for 214 yards, 2 touchdowns and no turnovers.

So, according to Madden the upcoming season is going to have a lot of crazy turns, twists and surprises. Lets hope the real season is as exciting as this simulated one.