An engine assembly includes an intake manifold and a manifold absolute pressure sensor configured to generate a current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal for the intake manifold. The assembly includes a throttle valve adjustable to control airflow to the intake manifold and a throttle position sensor configured to generate a current measured throttle position (TPM) signal. A controller is operatively connected to the throttle valve and the manifold absolute pressure sensor and has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for determining a predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP). Execution of the instructions by the processor causes the controller to determine the predicted manifold absolute pressure (MAPP) based at least partially on a predicted throttle flow (TFP) and the current measured manifold absolute pressure (MAPM) signal.