In just two months, the largest sports game in America will be released to the public: Madden 13. For the past 24 years, John Madden football has swept the nation thanks to it's exciting gameplay and entertaining multiplayer mode. Many players have captured the Madden cover; this year the honor was awarded to All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson. With Madden brought the Madden Curse, a superstation that states any player who graces the cover is bound to have a terrible year the following season. Hopefully, the mega-star in Johnson will be able to succeed come 2012. Over the years, it appears that offense is more important than defense in Madden, which is why teams with elite offenses dominate this list. In order to prepare you for the upcoming release in August, the NFL Report presents the top 5 teams to play with in Madden 13.
Honorable Mention: Philadelphia Eagles: Though Michael Vick will be downgraded slightly in Madden 13, his speed and arm strength are disadvantages for the opposing team's defense. DeSean Jackson is outrageously fast, and is capable of blowing by the majority of defenders in Madden. If the pass is not your style of play, LeSean McCoy is an elite running back who will be great in the upcoming Madden. The best play to use with this team on offense is HB Screen, where you can bomb it down field to Jackson, pass to a wide-open McCoy, or, if all else fails, scramble for the extra yard with Vick. On defense, Jason Babin ranked third in the NFL last season in terms of sacks (18.0), all thanks to his extraordinary speed and strength. Philly may have disappointed their fans last season, but they have one of the best roster's on paper, and in Madden, that's all that counts.
Offense: B+/A-
Defense: B-
Overall: B
5. Atlanta Falcons: Though Philly is similar to Atlanta, the Falcons offense was the tiebreaker, for they out match that of the Eagles. Led by quarterback Matt Ryan, the Falcons have one of the best passing games in football. The number one wide receiver in Atlanta is Roddy White, a great weapon who can go for the deep pass, as well as make a clutch reception. Julio Jones on the other hand is extremely fast, and is bound to be highly graded in Madden 13. Lastly, tight end Tony Gonzalez may be 36, but his 6' 5" frame still helps him catch a high, quick pass across the middle. Running back Michael Turner is one of the most consistent rushers in the NFL (3 of past 4 seasons, rushed for at least 1,300 yards), and is a great option in Madden. John Abraham, a spectacular veteran defender, is always capable of sacking the opposing team's quarterback. Newly acquired Lofa Tatupu is another reliable defender to play as at the linebacker position. Newly acquired Asante Samuel, a cornerback known for picking off passes, is the best pass defender on Atlanta. The defense is made up of veterans, and there are several players to choose from when protecting the end zone. What separates Atlanta from most team's in Madden, however, is the highly talented offense.
Offense: A-/A
Defense: C+
Overall: B/B+
4. Pittsburgh Steelers: The number one defense in all of football belongs to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season, Pittsburgh ranked first in total yards allowed and passing yards allowed, all thanks to their star studded roster. Troy Polamalu is the captain of the defense, and is always a great choice when playing with the Steelers. Along with Polamalu, James Harrison is another great option, a linebacker who is strong, fast, and quick off the snap. If those names don't impress you, there are still other spectacular options such as linebacker James Farrior, safety Ryan Clark and linebacker Lamar Woodley. It will be difficult for any opposing team to score on these guys in Madden with so many players to matchup against. I am not a huge fan of the offense in Pittsburgh, especially if Mike Wallace were to not sign with the Steelers by September. The only legitimate option for Ben Roethlisberger is in wide receiver Antonio Brown, a breakout star in 2011. Otherwise, the Steelers lack weaponry when it comes to wide receivers. However, the o-line should not be a problem for Pittsburgh, who spent three picks on offensive lineman this past draft. Running back Rashard Mendenhall saw not only a decrease in playing time, but also in production last season when comparing his statistics to 2010. Mendenhall is still a decent running back who can pick up the extra yard. If defense is what you want in Madden, then the Pittsburgh Steelers are your team.
Offense: B/B+
Defense: A+
Overall: A-
3. New York Giants: The defending Super Bowl champions are known to be undervalued by football fans everywhere. Eli Manning is a top 5 quarterback with a big arm and big talent. Moreover, he is surrounded by absolutely spectacular wide receivers. Originally, Hakeem Knicks was Manning's main target, up until Victor Cruz salsa-ed his way into the league and became an elite receiver. Both can be deep threats, as well as someone who can get the clutch reception for an extra 4 or 5 yards. Even if his superstar wide receivers are unable to get open, Manning is a decent scrambler when needed, a quite reliable trait in Madden. Had Brandon Jacobs stayed in New York, the Giants would likely be number 2 on this list, but now it is just Ahmad Bradshaw. Nothing against Bradshaw (a great rusher who is consistent and reliable), but the duo of Bradshaw and Jacobs was unmatched in the NFL. On the other hand, New York's defense is also top-notch, especially in part due to their great pass rush. Jason Pierre-Paul (16.5 sacks) and Justin Tuck (5 sacks in 12 games) provide a one-two-punch when facing an opposing team's offensive line. Their speed and strength would allow them to easily get past blockers in Madden 13. Another great pass rusher on New York is Osi Umenyiora, a defensive end who sacked the opponent's quarterback 9 times last season. The pass rush and passing game are the New York Giants best qualities in Madden, and should be highly rated due to their previous Super Bowl victory.
Offense: A
Defense: A-
Overall: A
2. New England Patriots: After falling short of a Super Bowl victory last season, the New England Patriots are showing signs of a second straight appearance. Quarterback Tom Brady is always rated highly in Madden thanks to arm strength, awareness and accuracy. A downside to this team is Brady's mobility, or lack there of. Personally, it is always reassuring to know the quarterback will be able to escape defenders when his receivers are unable to get open. Luckily, Brady has a lot of weapons to choose from. Starting with Rob Gronkowski, a tall, athletic tight end with extraordinary hands, and ending with Wes Welker, a fast receiver who can make the clutch chain-moving reception, the Patriots have a long list of weapons to choose from. Joseph Addai and Stevan Ridley are two very different running backs, but should be a fabulous duo in 2012. Defense is dominated by Vince Wilfork, a nose tackle whose strength is unstoppable in Madden. Linebackers Jerard Mayo and Dont'a Hightower should be low to mid 80's overall, as will free safety Patrick Chung. The biggest signings this offseason have been wide receivers Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney, both will make Tom Brady even more lethal in this game. The Patriots may not have the defensive line of New York, but their offense is just too good to turn down.
Offense: A+
Defense: B+/A-
Overall: A
1. Green Bay Packers: There is no disputing Green Bay at number one. When evaluating the Packers' roster, the amount of players who can potentially rank above 90 overall in Madden is jaw-dropping. Obviously, reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers will be unstoppable next season, and a rating below 99 would be a disappointment. Aaron Rodgers is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league, and throws complete bullets as well. Rodgers may not be the fastest, but he clearly is capable of rushing for the first down. Not only does Green Bay have an elite quarterback, but he is surrounded by spectacular offensive weapons. Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley make up the best receiving corp in the NFL. The departure of running back Ryan Grant slightly hurts the team, but James Stark will do a great job of replacing him. Though the defense had extreme difficulty last season, the players to choose from are all spectacular choices. Linebacker Clay Mathews is one of the best defenders in the league, and his speed and strength allow him to sack the quarterback. BJ Raji is another sensational defender at the defensive tackle position. Finally, cornerback Charles Woodson is known to shut down every wide receiver he covers, as well as pick off a few passes in the process. The Packers are looking to win next year's Super Bowl, and the team they have created is an outstanding first step towards their goal. When Madden 13 hits the shelves this summer, no team is a better choice to play with than that of the Green Bay Packers.
Offense: A+
Defense: A-
Overall: A/A+
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