I’m sure McGahee would much rather win the real Super Bowl… but with the season we just had, I’m sure Willis will take what he can get.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — It’s not quite the Super Bowl, but Willis McGahee has to be pretty happy with this championship nonetheless.

The Baltimore Ravens running back took home the trophy at Electronic Arts’ Madden Bowl, the annual video game tournament that pits National Football League players against each other in “Madden NFL” matchups prior the big game.

McGahee bested Buffalo running back Marshawn Lynch — the guy who took his old Bills job, coincidentally — during Thursday’s eight-round tournament. Current pro athletes, Dennis Rodman and other partygoers cheered from the sidelines at the packed Martini Ranch nightclub, which had been outfitted with dozens of flat-screen televisions and Xbox 360 video game consoles to accommodate the event.

Other attendees included Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart, San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo, Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Earlier in the day, EA Sports announced that simulations using “Madden NFL 08″ predicted that the New England Patriots would be victorious over the New York Giants by a narrow margin of eight points with a final score of 38-30 at the Super Bowl. The video game’s engine simulated the championship bout using the teams’ most-recent rosters and player statistics.

EA Sports says the simulation has correctly predicted Super Bowl winners for the past five years.

Interesting prediction from Madden 08: 38-30 — that has to make sports boooks really nervous.

Ah, the Maddenvoyage of the SS Madden 08. How I’ve longed to slide you into my Wii.

Wait a sec.

I’m going to continually update this post with my impressions as I play through things tonight. Well, at least until I play through my first game. There’s Cardinals baseball to watch, so I’ll be busy.

5:05PM: I set the game to Rookie, where I’m playing an exhibition game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A full quarter in to the game, I’m impressed. I’ve noticed a lot of enhancements over the Wii version of Madden 07, some good, some annoying.

Like, for instance, I paid $49.99 for this game. I shouldn’t have to have the opening kickoff brought to me by Snickers™ (which, by the way, Really Satisfies®), or see Sprint Ads like I’m watching the game on TV. That’s annoying.

I’ve also noticed that some of the buttons have changed from the ‘07 version of the game. They make more sense, but I’m just not used to them yet. For instance, the button for a speed burst is now the button to cover the ball (which makes your RB/QB/WR/TE/ETC slower than Jamal Lewis in a cutback lane). You can file that under annoying (for the time being).

Current score: Tampa Bay: 0, Baltimore 21. BJ Sams returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, Willis McGahee ran one in from 17 yards out and Terrell Suggs intercepted a ball and streaked to the end zone (after I turned the ball over trying to kick a 56 yard FG with Stover. Oops).

5:09PM: First play of the second quarter — Ray Lewis intercepts a pass and returns it in the Red Zone. Updates are good luck, right?

5:12PM: McGahee punches it in. Extra point good. 28-0. w00t.

5:14PM: Garcia turns it over to Ed Reed, who is promptly brought down. This is too easy. I may abort and play a harder level/better team at the half.

5:32PM: Halftime.  The score is currently Tampa Bay: 0, Baltimore: 63.  While it’s fun to blow someone out like this, I’d much rather be challenged.  I’m nuking this current game (but saving McNair’s GOD-LIKE numbers).

Okay, I broke down.  I said I was going to wait until after work to buy - and then wear out - Madden 08.  I lied.  I just couldn’t wait any longer: I just bought it for the Wii.

Does anyone have any good excuses on how to get the hell out of the office today?  Throw me a comment if you do — I’d love to go home and waste an afternoon playing!

I’ll be honest — I’m gonna mail this one in.  I’m slammed at work, I don’t have much time to post… but when I saw this, I felt obligated to let all four of you who read this blog see the Madden Rankings for our beloved Baltimore Ravens.

Ed Reed is still a 99, C-Mac is a 98… Ogden is a 97…

When Madden 08 comes out (IN LESS THAN A WEEK!), I’m taking a sick day to play a whole Ravens season on the Wii.

Just sayin’.