Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, the moment we have all been waiting for has arrived.

THE SUPER BOWL!!!

OK, well I guess it’s not the real Super Bowl. The real Super Bowl isn’t on until Sunday. But just to see what you’re in store for, I figured I’d simulate the game. The New England Patriots versus the Carolina Panthers square off in Madden Bowl 2004.

I will not be participating in this game for the mere fact that if I picked the Patriots, the Patriots would be the 2004 Madden Bowl Champions. And if I picked the Panthers they would be 2004 Madden Bowl Champions.

Al Michaels and John Madden seem to think this is going to be a great game. They can’t wait to get this game started. Sounds like me with the real Super Bowl. Play the game already. I don’t know how much longer I can wait.

My prediction for both the Madden Bowl and the Super Bowl is a Patriots victory. I think the Panthers are going to surprise some people, but the Patriots are just going to be too much for Carolina.

The Patriots win the toss and elect to receive.

Up until 1:02 left in the first when none other than defensive end, Julius Peppers, picked off a pass on the Patriots 20, the game was boring.

The Panthers were on their way to at least three points, when two plays later Delhomme throws it right back to the Patriots.

The game was scoreless at the end of the first quarter, but there was no lack of action.

The first score of the game was a 44 yard field goal at 2:34 in the second quarter off the leg of Adam Vinatieri. The man is automatic. 3-0 New England.

The second score came of a nine-yard touchdown pass from Brady to tight end Christian Fauria with less than a minute left in the half. Up to this point, Fauria seems to be Brady’s main target. Hey it’s Madden; I can’t explain why Brady’s throwing to Fauria. 10-0 Pats.

The Panthers seemed as if they might get in field goal range and get three points before half time, but with 14 seconds left Delhomme threw his second pick of the game.

A Panthers sack on a cornerback blitz ends the half with the score New England 10, Carolina 0.

Wow, what an amazing half time show. You gotta love animated cheer leaders.

Oh no! With 3:53 left in the third quarter, Brady goes down with a hand injury. Enter Damon Huard.

On his first attempted pass, Ricky Manning Jr. nearly comes away with a pick. On his second attempt, Carolina gets good penetration and gets a hand on it and it is nearly picked off yet again. However, before Brady went out he charged his Patriots down the field and Vinatieri comes away with a 34 yard field goal. Pats 13, Panthers 0.

I want the Panthers to win, because of a couple little wagers I placed on them, so I am tempted to pick up the controller and take over. However for the sake of objectivity, I will just sit and enjoy WATCHING a video game. Who does this?

At the end of the third quarter it’s the Patriots ahead of the Panthers 13-0.

The Patriots have been without Brady for a quarter but he has re-entered the game and has the look of a champion in his eyes. How I can tell that on a video game is beyond me.

With 3:59 left in the game, Vinatieri hits a 50 yard field goal and at this point it looks like the Panthers have no shot at winning. 16-0 Pats.

Delhomme throws his third pick of the game on his own 25 yard line with 3:45 left in the game and that could be all she wrote.

With 2:27 left in the game Kevin Faulk punches the ball over the goal line with a three yard run. The Panthers just didn’t have their A game today. Patriots 23-0.

With 1:52 left in the game, Delhomme throws his fourth pick of the game. I think at this point he’s completed more passes to the Patriots than to his own team.

The 2004 Madden Bowl is over (thank God) and Tom Brady is the MVP.

I just hope the real Super Bowl is a little more entertaining than Madden Bowl 2004.