The Madden 26 rookie ratings to end the regular season are here – and it's Colts tight end Tyler Warren who tops the pile. Indi's first-year man caught 71 balls this year, enough for a new Madden 26 rating of 84. That's a point more than six players on 83, including Raiders HB Ashton Jeanty, and Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan. Stroll down to see how the key positional players started the campaign, and the current top 20 Madden 26 rookie ratings.

If you're looking for the top picks from the veteran pool, then check out our separate Madden 26 best players guide.

Best Madden 26 QB rookie ratings

There were no QBs on the initial top 20 Madden 26 rookie ratings list, and indeed only one kicked off the season with an overall of more than 70. That was number one overall pick Cam Ward, who started his Titans career with rating of 72. The next closest were Jaxson Dart (New York Giants, 68), Tyler Slough (New Orleans Saints, 68), and Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns, 67). Develop them in franchise to add some Madden 26 QB Traits.

Best Madden 26 RB rookie ratings

Rookie RBs fared a little bit better than first-year signal-callers. Las Vegas halfback Ashton Jeanty is the pick of the new crop, with a starting OVR of 83 – which includes 90 Speed, 91 Agility, and 91 Change Of Direction. Chasing him to be this year’s top rusher were Omarion Hampton (San Diego Chargers, 77), TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots, 76), and Bhayshul Tuten (Jacksonville Jaguars, 76).

Best Madden 26 WR rookie ratings

Travis Hunter is officially a CB, but like in real life Jags fans can also deploy him at WR – and even in the new Madden 26 GAD position, should they wish. His debut OVR was a monstrous 84. Panthers addition Tetairoa McMillan started the year as the highest-rated conventional receiver on 77, followed by Luther Burden III (Chicago Bears, 76), Matthew Golden (Green Bay Packers, 76), and Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 75).

The top 20 Madden 26 rookie ratings

Below are the top 20 Madden 26 rookie ratings. All numbers are correct as of Friday, January 9. For even more NFL, check out our Madden 26 X-Factors and Madden 26 best playbooks guides.

• 1 Tyler Warren (TE, Indianapolis Colts) - 84
• 2 Armand Membou (RT, New York Jets) - 83
• 3 Ashton Jeanty (HB, Las Vegas Raiders) - 83
• 4 Colston Loveland (TE, Chicago Bears) - 83
• 5 Nick Emmanwori (SS, Seattle Seahawks) - 83
• 6 Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Carolina Panthers) - 83
• 7 Will Campbell (LT, New England Patriots) - 83
• 8 Carson Schwesinger (MIKE, Cleveland Browns) - 82
• 9 Travis Hunter (CB, Jacksonville Jaguars) - 82
• 10 TreVeyon Henderson (HB, New England Patriots) - 82
• 11 Tyler Booker (RG, Dallas Cowboys) - 82
• 12 Abdul Carter (LEDG, New York Giants) - 81
• 13 Cam Skattebo (HB, New York Giants) - 81
• 14 Emeka Egbuka (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - 81
• 15 Josh Simmons (LT, Kansas City Chiefs) - 81
• 16 Omarion Hampton (HB, San Diego Chargers) - 81
• 17 Quinshon Judkins (HB, Cleveland Browns) - 81
• 18 Harold Fannin Jr (TE, Cleveland Browns) - 80
• 19 Jihaad Campbell (MIKE, Philadelphia Eagles) - 80
• 20 Mason Graham (DT, Cleveland Browns) - 80

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What is GAD in Madden 26? It's the question new players have been asking all season long, and we're here to give you the answer. 'GAD’ is short for ‘gadget’ in Madden 26, and is tied to a depth chart slot that's new for this year's edition. Find out more, including what exactly defines a gadget player, in your Madden 26 GAD guide.

How GAD works in Madden 26

As mentioned above, GAD is short for ‘Gadget player’, and you can assign up to three on your roster in both exhibition and franchise mode. Those designated to the GAD position on the depth chart will play there in addition to their standard roles. Madden 26 playbooks feature uniques sets and plays for gadget players, so it’s worth experimenting – particularly with WRs and RBs to see which fits your team best.

The best Madden 26 GAD players

Some fans have erroneously used Travis Hunter as an example a Madden 26 GAD player. In fact, the Jaguars’ first round pick has unique stats at both WR and CB – but team-mate Travis Etienne Jr is superior in the game’s GAD role. A better example at a GAD is Commanders’ receiver Deebo Samuel. Stats of 91 Speed, 80 Strength, 94 Ball Carrier Vision and 86 Catching make the former Niners standout tough to defend all over the field. The game’s best gadget player is Saints tight end Taysom Hill, as befits a strong ball carrier who has experience at QB and HB.

Other new Madden 26 depth chart positions

As well as GAD, there are other new depth chart positions to familiarise yourself with – as demonstrated by the Madden 26 X-Factors list. Traditional defensive ends (RE and LE) are gone, and replaced by the more modern REDG and LEDG designations. Linebackers have been reinvented too. For over 30 years we had MLB, ROLB, and LOLB, but instead we now have SAM, MIKE, and WIL. Long snappers are finally included too, under the LS tag. Having a poorly rated one can lead to slow or bad snaps on field goal attempts.

Madden 26 GAD drawbacks and limitations

The major thing to keep an eye on when making use of your gadget player is fatigue – particularly with the inclusion of Hunter changing depth charts across the game. “We’ve removed certain restrictions on depth charts so that you can have Hunter starting at both WR and CB if you choose (along with any other WR or CB),” explains developer EA Orlando. “Get creative with your personnel and use WRs and CBs as you’d like, but be ready for Wear & Tear to make it a lot harder for them to be successful if they’re playing every snap of the game.” For more tips, head to our Madden 26 best teams and Madden 26 sliders guides.

The Madden 26 best playbooks list isn't just about passing your way to a 28-0 lead – or four interceptions – by the end of the first quarter. Variety is a vital element of Madden 26, meaning those who want to establish balance, or a ground-and-pound rushing attack, are catered for too. Plus, y'know, defense wins championships. We've therefore grouped together five supreme offense set-ups alongwise two killer Ds in your Madden 26 best playbooks guide.

The best five Madden 26 offensive playbooks

The NFL changes annually, so four of the offenses recommended in our Madden 25 playbooks guide are gone: farewell Miami, San Francisco, New England, and Indianapolis. Instead, freshen up your approach with those attacking strategies…

Cincinnati Bengals

In-game label: CIN - Z. Taylor
Best for: Gunslinging points-chasers
Summary: Passing is the focus for many Madden players, and the Bengals love to sling the ball with Joe Burrow behind center. The Cinci playbook is therefore an obvious go-to for those who want to clock up big gains through the air, from first minute to 48th. [Our Madden 26 sliders recommend you switching to 12-minute quarters.]

The big book of Bengals is almost entirely Shotgun based, featuring 25 sets from that formation. Empty Chips is especially hard to defend, with a WR on one side, and a combination of two WRs and one TE on the other. The TE Screen from here can be particularly deadly. Get throwing.

Washington Commanders

In-game label: WAS - D. Quinn
Best for: Deep-dropping pass merchants
Summary: The Commanders playbook is perfect for players who like to give their QB space to work. It features an impressive 21 Shotgun sets, so you can spot blitzers immediately after the snap – then throw deep, or exploit space up the middle with a QB run. [Although you should know your Madden 26 QB Traits before attempting this.]

Those 21 Shotgun sets aren’t all receiver-based, either. The Double Wing brings in one FB and two TE, to keep a defensive honest. Meanwhile the Duo Slot Open formation, featuring two RBs, is especially handy once an opponent starts committing to pass defence. Wrap the ball up and keep those chains moving.

Philadelphia Eagles

In-game label: PHI - N. Sirianni
Best for: Wildcat wannabes
Summary: The Wildcat isn’t quite as en vogue as in its Dolphins-inspired heyday, but it’s still something Madden players want to utilise every year – particularly as the series lacks the endless RPOs and other tricks of College Football 26. Happily, the Eagles playbook features six plays from the Wildcat formation, including two passes: PA Jet Sweep and PA Jet Cross.

Rest assured there are traditional Singleback, I-Form, Strong, Goal Line and Shotgun formations too, providing a balanced attack when you aren’t snapping the ball direct to your running back.

Los Angeles Chargers

In-game label: LAC - J. Harbaugh
Best for: Run-game demons
Summary: The NFL may be more pass-heavy than ever, but there’s still room for smash-mouth football – and the Chargers’ playbooks provides numerous options to pick up yards on the ground. Its Singleback and Split Tight sets focus on running plays, mixing in powerful rushes up the middle with darts to the outside, your RB motoring behind a pulling lineman. [Even more effective if he’s one the Madden 26 X-Factors list.]

What’s additionally great about the Split Tight plays are their uniqueness – in addition to the Chargers, only one other playbook – the Raiders – has them. Fk FB Toss Rollout Lt, in which everyone heads right while your Full Back heads left for a short pass, is one such play that you can’t find elsewhere.

Jacksonville Jaguars

In-game label: JAX - L. Ceon
Best for: Tight-end hoarders
Summary: EA Orlando describes the Jags playbook as “the easiest to win with”, because of its Bunch TE and Trips TE formations from the Shotgun – so if you have two or more burly receivers in franchise mode or Ultimate Team, this is the catalogue for you.

The developer recommends one play in particular: Cheat TE HB Seam. “Posting your tight end and streaking your slot creates a strong progression on the tight end side,” it says. “The wheel route or halfback streak will be open, followed by the tight end post.”

The best two Madden 26 defensive playbooks

Sacks and interceptions can be just as key in picking up Ws as winning the offensive battle – and that’s where the playbooks below come in. As with last year, the Chiefs and Browns offer sound set-ups – but they’re not quite as effective as this new-look pair…

Detroit Lions

In-game label: DET - D.Campbell
Best for: Mastering the fundamentals
Summary: The 3-3 package has become meta over the past couple of years, and Detroit offers four variants of it within the Nickel formation: Cub, Double Mug, Load Mug, and Over.

With Dan Campbell at the helm, there’s creativity too. 2-4 Single Mug brings two linebackers up to the line in between your DT and LE, making it super tough for an opponent to know whether you’re playing to blitz or drop back into coverages. With tidy base 4-3 and 4-3 options, this is a solid starter defense, offering a wealth of expert wrinkles.

New England Patriots

In-game label: NE - M. Vrabel
Best for: Blitz, blitz, blitz
Summary: Enjoy sending your entire D after an opposing QB or RB? The Patriots playbook is the one for you. It’s 4-3 set-up feels immediately familiar, but there are several nuances enabling you to wreak havoc in the backfield – such as the Tite Leo set, which sees both safeties and linebackers close to the line of scrimmage. Unleash Saw Biitz 0 from here to have the other team scurrying.

This defensive playbook is another one that comes highly recommended by the developer. “Use Sam Will Blitz for aggressive attacks,” says EA Orlando, “or opt for Match Cover 4 Quarters for more coverage.” Once you’ve done that, score even more help from our Madden 26 best teams and Madden 26 best players guides.

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Madden 26 X-Factors and Superstars enable players to perform beyond their stats, and add a uniqueness to elite stars that was missing for many years. Houston were the big Madden 26 winners at launch, with three Texans scoring new X-Factors: Ankle Breaker for Nico Collins, Wrecking Ball for Joe Mixon, and Shutdown for Derek Stingley Jr. Uncover exactly what those skills do, and see the full list of their designations, in your Madden 26 X-Factors guide.

The Madden 26 X-Factors player list

All of the players below make the Madden 26 X-Factors list, as of the game's Thursday, August 14 release date. As you'd expect, there's a fair amount of crossover with the Madden 26 best players list. Be sure to brush up on Madden 26 QB Traits, too.

• BENGALS: Joe Burrow (QB) – Run & Gun
• BENGALS: Ja’Marr Chase (WR) – Double Me
• BILLS: Josh Allen (QB) – Bazooka
• BILLS: Matt Milano (WLB) – Reinforcement
• BRONCOS: Patrick Surtain II (CB) – Shutdown
• BROWNS: Myles Garrett (REDG) – Unstoppable Force
• BUCCANEERS: Mike Evans (WR) – Double Me
• BUCCANEERS: Antoine Winfield (FS) – Shutdown
• BUCCANEERS: Vita Vea (DT) – Fearmonger
• CARDINALS: Budda Baker (SS) – Reinforcement
• CHARGERS: Derwin James Jr (SS) – Reinforcement
• CHIEFS: Chris Jones (DT) – Momentum Shift
• CHIEFS: Travis Kelce (TE) – Double Me
• CHIEFS: Patrick Mahomes (QB) – Bazooka
• COMMANDERS: Jayden Daniels (QB) – Escape Artist
• COMMANDERS: Terry McLaurin (WB) – Double Me
• COWBOYS: CeeDee Lamb (WR) – Yac 'Em Up
• COWBOYS: Micah Parsons (LEDG) – Dual Threat
• DOLPHINS: Tyreek Hill (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• EAGLES: Saquon Barkley (HB) – Phenom
• EAGLES: AJ Brown (WR) – Max Security
• EAGLES: Jalen Hurts (QB) – Run & Gun
• FALCONS: Jessie Bates III (FS) – Shutdown
• FALCONS: Bijan Robinson (HB) – First One Free
• 49ERS: Nick Bosa (LEDG) – Relentless
• 49ERS: George Kittle (TE) – Yac ‘Em Up
• 49ERS: Christian McCaffrey (HB) – Ankle Breaker
• 49ERS: Fred Warner (MLB) – Universal Coverage
• GIANTS: Dexter Lawrence (DT) – Blitz
• JAGUARS: Josh Hines-Allen (REDG) – Unstoppable Force
• JETS: Sauce Gardner (CB) – Shutdown
• JETS: Quinnen Williams (DT) – Fearmonger
• LIONS: Aidan Hutchinson (LEDG) – Unstoppable Force
• LIONS: Amon-Ra St Brown (WR) – Double Me
• PACKERS: Xavier McKinney (SS) – Shutdown
• RAIDERS: Brock Bowers (TE) – Double Me
• RAIDERS: Maxx Crosby (LEDG) – Relentless
• RAVENS: Jaire Alexander (CB) – Shutdown
• RAVENS: Kyle Hamilton (SS) – Reinforcement
• RAVENS: Derrick Henry (HB) – Freight Train
• RAVENS: Lamar Jackson (QB) – Truzz
• RAVENS: Roquan Smith (MLB) – Reinforcement
• SAINTS: Demario Davis (MLB) – Reinforcement
• SEAHAWKS: DK Metcalf (WR) – Double Me
• STEELERS: Jalen Ramsey (CB) – Bottleneck
• STEELERS: Cameron Heyward (DT) – Fearmonger
• STEELERS: TJ Watt (LEDG) – Unstoppable Force
• TEXANS: Nico Collins (WR) – Ankle Breaker
• TEXANS: Joe Mixon (HB) – Wrecking Ball
• TEXANS: Derek Stingley Jr (CB) – Shutdown
• VIKINGS: Justin Jefferson (WR) – Double Me

Complete Madden 26 X-Factors abilities list

Below is the full list of Madden 26 X-Factors, and what each of them does. Some of these, such as Avalanche, aren't assigned to any players on the default roster, but can still be found and implemented in Ultimate Team.

• Ankle Breaker: High fakeout rate on skill moves following the catch
• Avalanche: Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles
• Bazooka: Maximum throwing distance increased
• Blitz: On-field blockers have their resistance bars wiped
• Blitz Radar: Highlights extra blitzes
• Bottleneck: Dominantly win man press attempts
• Dots: Grants perfect passing on any throw
• Double Me: Wins aggressive catches against single coverage
• Dual Threat: Higher chance to defeat bass blocks and disrupt catches
• Escape Artist: Improved scrambling speed when leaving the pocket
• Fearmonger: Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker
• First One Free: High fakeout rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle
• Freight Train: Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
• Max Security: High success rate on possession catches
• Momentum Shift: On-field opponents have their zone progress wiped
• Phenom: High chance to win interactions against the first defender
• Pro Reads: Highlights the first open target and ignores pressure
• Rac ‘Em Up: Wins RAC catches
• Relentless: Rush moves no longer cost points
• Reinforcement: Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
• Run & Gun: Grants perfect passing while on the run
• Run Stuffer: Block shedding is more effective vs run plays
• Satellite: Wins RAC possession catches vs single coverage
• Shutdown: Tighter coverage and more interceptions on contested catches
• Universal Coverage: Increased coverage and catch knockouts in man and zone
• Unstoppable Force: Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
• Truzz: Can’t fumble as a result of a tackle
• Wrecking Ball: High success rate on trucks and stiff arms
• Yac ‘Em Up: Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle
• Zone Hawk: More interceptions in zone coverage

The full Madden 26 Superstars list

Superstars don’t have X-Factor abilities, but still come with skills that outperform their base stats. If you're looking to have the most authentic experience while making use of these guys, head to our Madden 26 sliders guide. You might want to commit the Madden 26 best teams rankings to memory, too.

• BEARS: DJ Moore (WR)
• BEARS: Jaylon Johnson (CB)
• BEARS: Joe Thuney (LG)
• BENGALS: Trey Hendrickson (REDG)
• BENGALS: Tee Higgins (WR)
• BILLS: Joey Bosa (REDG)
• BILLS: James Cook (HB)
• BILLS: Greg Rousseau (LEDG)
• BRONCOS: Evan Engram (TE)
• BRONCOS: Quinn Meinerz (RG)
• BROWNS: Amari Cooper (WR)
• BROWNS: David Njoku (TE)
• BROWNS: Wyatt Teller (RG)
• BROWNS: Denzel Ward (CB)
• BUCCANEERS: Lavonte David (MLB)
• BUCCANEERS: Chris Godwin (WR)
• BUCCANEERS: Baker Mayfield (QB)
• BUCCANEERS: Tristan Wirfs (RT)
• CARDINALS: Trey McBride (TE)
• CARDINALS: Josh Sweat (REDG)
• CHARGERS: Justin Herbert (QB)
• CHARGERS: Khalil Mack (REDG)
• CHARGERS: Ladd McKonkey (WR)
• CHARGERS: Rashawn Slater (LT)
• CHIEFS: Creed Humphrey (C)
• CHIEFS: Trent McDuffie (CB)
• CHIEFS: Trey Smith (RG)
• COLTS: DeForest Buckner (DT)
• COLTS: Quenton Nelson (LG)
• COLTS: Jonathan Taylor (HB)
• COLTS: Charvarius Ward (CB)
• COMMANDERS: Marshon Lattimore (CB)
• COMMANDERS: Laremy Tunsil (LT)
• COWBOYS: Brandon Aubrey (K)
• COWBOYS: Dak Prescott (QB)
• DOLPHINS: Minkah Fitzpatrick (FS)
• DOLPHINS: Tua Tagovaiola (QB)
• EAGLES: Zack Baun (WLB)
• EAGLES: Jalen Carter (DT)
• EAGLES: Dallas Goedert (TE)
• EAGLES: Jordan Mailata (LT)
• EAGLES: Quinyon Mitchell (CB)
• EAGLES: Lane Johnson (RT)
• EAGLES: DeVonta Smith (WR)
• FALCONS: Chris Lindstorm (RG)
• FALCONS: Drake London (WR)
• FALCONS: AJ Terrell Jr (CB)
• 49ERS: Brandon Aiyuk (WR)
• 49ERS: Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
• 49ERS: Brock Purdy (QB)
• 49ERS: Trent Williams (LT)
• GIANTS: Brian Burns (REDG)
• GIANTS: Malik Nabers (WR)
• JAGUARS: Travis Hunter (CB)
• JAGUARS: Foyesade Oluokun (MLB)
• JAGUARS: Brian Thomas Jr (WR)
• JETS: Garrett Wilson (WR)
• LIONS: Brian Branch (SS)
• LIONS: Jahmyr Gibbs (HB)
• LIONS: Kerby Joseph (FS)
• LIONS: Sam LaPorta (TE)
• LIONS: Penei Sewell (RT)
• PACKERS: Kenny Clark (DT)
• PACKERS: Josh Jacobs (HB)
• PANTHERS: Derrick Brown (DT)
• PATRIOTS: Christian Gonzalez (CB)
• RAMS: Davante Adams (WR)
• RAMS: Puka Nucua (WR)
• RAMS: Kyren Williams (HB)
• RAMS: Jared Verse (LEDG)
• RAVENS: Mark Andrews (TE)
• RAVENS: Ronnie Stanley (LT)
• RAVENS: Marlon Humphrey (CB)
• RAVENS: Nnamdi Madubuike (DT)
• SAINTS: Alvin Kamara (HB)
• SAINTS: Chris Olave (WR)
• SEAHAWKS: Cooper Kupp (WR)
• SEAHAWKS: Demarcus Lawrence (LEDG)
• SEAHAWKS: Kenneth Walker III (HB)
• SEAHAWKS: Devon Witherspoon (CB)
• SEAHAWKS: Tariq Woolen (CB)
• STEELERS: Alex Highsmith (REDG)
• STEELERS: DK Metcalf (WR)
• TEXANS: Will Anderson Jr (LEDG)
• TEXANS: Nick Chubb (HB)
• TEXANS: Danielle Hunter (REDG)
• TEXANS: CJ Stroud (QB)
• TITANS: Jeffery Simmons (DT)
• TITANS: L'Jarius Sneed (CB)
• VIKINGS: Jonathan Allen (DT)
• VIKINGS: Christian Darrisaw (LT)
• VIKINGS: Jonathan Greenard (LEDG)
• VIKINGS: Aaron Jones Sr (HB)
• VIKINGS: Harrison Smith (FS)
• VIKINGS: Andrew Van Ginkel (REDG)

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The best Madden 26 sliders enable you to switch up almost every onfield element of the NFL sim. Want to replay the Super Bowl in Madden 26 with the Seahawks' D toned down and the Pats' offense amped up? All the parameters required to do so are a few button clicks away. The numbers below are all about enhanced realism, alongside a gentle difficulty increase. Plug them in with ease using our step-by-step Madden 26 sliders guide.

How to input Madden 26 sliders

Madden 26 sliders are wonderfully easy to implement. Jump into the main menu, then move down to Settings. Select the Edit Settings panel, then match the headings on the list below to the tabs in the horizontal menu bar. If no value is listed below then leave that particular setting at default. Once you’ve input everything, be sure to try to sample a couple of exhibition matches – perhaps using some of the Madden 26 best players – and see how the game feels. You can then make further tweaks to personalise your own experience.

Best Madden 26 sliders for realism

Game Options

• Skill Level: All-Pro
• Game Style: Simulation
• Quarter Length: 12 minutes
• Accelerated Clock: On
• Minimum Play Clock Time: 18 seconds
• Injuries: 25
• Fatigue: 60
• Player Speed Parity Scale: 60
• Physics Based Tackling: 90

Game Options: Wear & Tear

• Tackle Impact Scale: 20
• Catch Tackle Impact Scale: 25
• HitStick Impact Scale: 35
• CutStick Impact Scale: 30
• Defender Tackle Advantage Impact Scale: 35
• Sack Impact Scale: 25
• Block Impact Scale: 25
• Impact Block Scale: 30
• Per-Play Recovery: 50
• Per-TImeout Recovery: 50
• Per-Quarter Recovery: 55
• Halftime Recovery: 60
• Healing Reserve Pool Scale: 75

Penalties

• Offside: 60
• False Start: 55
• Offensive Holding: 55
• Facemask: 40
• Illegal Block in the Back: 80
• Roughing the Passer: 45
• Defensive Pass Interference: 55
• Ineligible Receiver Downfield: On
• Offensive Pass Interference: On
• Kick Catch Interference: On
• Intentional Grounding: Off
• Roughing the Kicker: Off
• Running into the Kicker: On
• Illegal Contact: On

Player Skill

• QB Accuracy: 45
• Pass Blocking: 52
• WR Catch: 55
• Run Blocking: 45
• Ball Security: 50
• Pass Defense Reaction Time: 52
• Interceptions: 40
• Pass Coverage: 50
• Tackling: 40
• FG Power: 52
• FG Accuracy: 48
• Punt Power: 50
• Punt Accuracy: 50
• Kickoff Power: 50

CPU Skill

• QB Accuracy: 42
• Pass Blocking: 52
• WR Catch: 50
• Run Blocking: 52
• Ball Security: 50
• Pass Defensive Reaction: 52
• Interceptions: 40
• Pass Coverage: 50
• Tackling: 45
• FG Power: 52
• FG Accuracy: 48
• Punt Power: 50
• Punt Accuracy: 50
• Kickoff Power: 50

Madden 26 sliders credits

These parameters have been put together after experimenting with sets made by sliders legend Matt10 – who also had a heavy influence on our College Football 26 sliders – and Armor and Sword from Operation Sports. Still require more NFL help? Then dip into our Madden 26 best teams and Madden 26 QB Traits guides.

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You'd be forgiven for thinking the Madden 26 best teams list was upside down. At launch, Super Bowl finalists New England ranked joint 15th in Madden 26 – while the champion Seattle Seahawks shared a lowly 23rd. Meanwhile the Ravens were rated the top roster in the game – only to miss out on the play-offs, and fire Jim Harbaugh. Nuts. Scroll on down to discover the top five rosters, and full Madden 26 team rankings.

The top five Madden 26 best teams 

These are the default top five teams in Madden 26 – with the previous year's Super Bowl winners having to settle for second place…

1 Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson’s 99 Club placing on the Madden 26 best players list isn’t the only example of the Ravens’ in-game brilliance. Baltimore has nine players rated 90 or over, with power back Derrick Henry clocking in on 98, and a defence marshalled by Roquan Smith on 94.

2 Philadelphia Eagles

The reigning champs heading into the season miss out on top spot, but do own two individuals with the maximum possible OVR of 99: cover star Saquon Barkley and right tackle Lane Johnson. Three other stars hit the nineties: Jordan Mailata (LT, 96), AJ Brown (WR, 93), and Jalen Carter (DT, 90).

3 Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce has been in the news for announcing girlfriend Taylor Swift’s 12th album, but he remains a force in Madden too – the veteran tight end’s rating this year is 93. Four Chiefs score even higher: Chris Jones (DT, 97), Patrick Mahomes (QB, 95), Trent McDuffie (CB, 94), and Creed Humphrey (C, 94).

4 Buffalo Bills - 89

99-rated signal-caller Josh Allen is a Prime Time showcase for the new set of Madden 26 QB Traits, but the Bills roster is well-rounded across the board. 16 players rated 79 or over make them a great choice for franchise mode, with exceptional depth should one or two leave after the first season.

5 Detroit Lions / Minnesota Vikings

It’s a big NFC tussle for fifth spot, with Detroit and Minnesota sharing the same default rating. The Lions’ key players are 96-rated duo Amon-Ra St Brown and Penei Sewell, while Justin Jefferson stands alone for the Vikings with another max score of 99.

Complete Madden 26 team ratings list

Here is the full set of Madden 26 team ratings, correct as of the game’s Friday, August 15 release date.

• 1 Baltimore Ravens - 93
• 2 Philadelphia Eagles - 91
• 3 Kansas City Chiefs - 90
• 4 Buffalo Bills - 89
• 5= Detroit Lions - 88
• 5= Minnesota Vikings - 88
• 7= Denver Broncos - 87
• 7= Houston Texans - 87
• 9= Pittsburgh Steelers - 86
• 9= San Francisco 49ers - 86
• 11= Cincinnati Bengals - 85
• 11= Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 85
• 11= Washington Commanders - 85
• 14 Dallas Cowboys - 85
• 15= Green Bay Packers - 84
• 15= Los Angeles Chargers - 84
• 15= Los Angeles Rams - 84
• 15= New England Patriots - 84
• 19 Miami Dolphins - 83
• 20= Atlanta Falcons - 82
• 20= Chicago Bears - 82
• 20= Las Vegas Raiders - 82
• 23= Arizona Cardinals - 81
• 23= Seattle Seahawks - 81
• 25= Cleveland Browns - 80
• 25= New York Giants - 80
• 25= New York Jets - 80
• 28= Carolina Panthers - 79
• 28= Jacksonville Jaguars - 79
• 28= New Orleans Saints - 79
• 31 Indianapolis Colts - 78
• 32 Tennessee Titans - 77

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They finally fixed franchise. EA. Finally. Fixed. Franchise. Long before the advent of Ultimate Team, the majesty of Madden was being able to control a single team and steer it to Super Bowl glory. In the noughties, it was the series' marquee mode. However, for the last decade, it's been an afterthought. That changes with Madden 26. A wealth of welcome improvements finally render franchise mode essential again – and you're going to play it until the real season's end, and beyond.

The first major step forwards comes in presentation. We hyped the new half-time show in our Madden 26 preview, and it's exactly as hoped, triumphantly emulating the iconic ESPN NFL 2K5 highlights package. Scott Hanson provides key plays from three matches around the league, and repeats the trick in a post-game round up. It's beautifully presented, and fleshes out the world around you – sparking intrigue in your rivals' results, from Week 1 all the way through to January's play-off games. The tiny details raise a smile, too. I had no idea Andrei Iosivas was nicknamed 'Yoshi' until Hanson dropped this trivia nugget to accompany a Cincinnati touchdown.

It's not only highlights that keep you hooked week-to-week. Madden 26's four new broadcast packages are outstanding. Sunday afternoon games get a basic all-white feel, while the energy and effects get switched up for Thursday, Sunday, and Monday Prime Time match-ups. Throw in progressive lighting – both in-game [for late-afternoon matches – let's hope it's patched for 1pm fixtures soon] and across the season, with sunny August games turning into dim December ones – and the sense of a real-life campaign unfolding is strong. As the Bears, I loved advancing from sunny Soldier Field afternoons to wintry snow games, with a particularly electric atmosphere in a key Monday-nighter against the Lions. Three commentary combos enhance that variety further.

Lock and loadout

If these upgrades sound passive, rest assured that a. They don't feel that way, and b. There's plenty to keep your brain engaged in-between matches. DIY player upgrades based on XP earned in-game are a sublime touch, enabling you to mold individuals in your image. I've enjoyed having Caleb Williams at QB but don't scramble much, so enhancing his pocket presence is gradually paying off. If that sounds too complex, get the AI to do the upgrading.

Similarly ingenious is your weekly loadout, customizing tactics for each opponent, and even adding temporary playsheets to your armor. I felt quick passes out wide might work against the Lions' aggressive D, so dialled up a Screen-based playsheet on my loadout – and Rome Odunze took one to the house on the second play from scrimmage. It felt unique, and spectacular.

There's more. Loads more. The Wear & Tear system we loved in our College Football 26 review debuts in its sibling game, and keeps you monitoring players' health at all times – aided by the ability to quickly sub in at the line. EA needs to patch fatigue build-up across a season, with key players struggling in weeks 16 and 17, but overall it's an upgrade.

Coaching trees are out and replaced by archetypes. Improve your stats – and your co-ordinators' – to unlock new skills, and other abilities for those weekly loadouts. Scouts are more intelligent at unearthing draft talent. Pre-snap coach suggestions on both offence and defense fit well with a team's real-life ethos, and generally match the current game situation. It's all great. A total transformation for a mode that long ago lost its way.

Critically, these franchise upgrades deliver because gameplay is much-improved too. The fun of College Football 26 isn't quite emulated, but that's in part because of the differences between pro and amateur ball. This is an official NFL product, so packing it with endless RPOs and gadget plays would be inauthentic. But between the tackles it's solid, with a stellar running game, explosive passing plays, and competent defense too – although videogame football is always likely to be higher scoring than authentic Gridiron.

Much of the high-scoring comes through Madden 26 QB Traits. New throwing motions, running animations, and individual characteristics mean Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, Rodgers and so on really do feel special. Everything is also a touch quicker and snappier – whether it's an RB making a swift cut through a gap in the line, or an edge rusher evading his opponent to pressure the QB. Tacklers understand context better, trying to hold the ball carrier back from the line of gain, or end zone. WRs make acrobatic, intelligent tip-toeing catches. Blockers… well, blocking is always going to be fallible, but I've had fewer egregious 'WFT dude!' moments from my O-line thus far than in the early days of Madden 25.

Short-cardage situation

While Ultimate Team might be a pair of dirty words to some, it's really likeable in Madden 26. As ever, that comes with our caveat not to spend real money, as it encourages publishers to focus on pack-opening modes (to the point that MyFaction is ruining WWE 2K25, six months after a wonderfully positive release) – and all your progress will start over in a year's time anyway. Plus the fun is surely in the grind and the earning of new packs and cards, rather than using pay-to-win shortcuts. Right? Hmmmm. Don't make that face.

Away from a marketplace packed with cash-shedding temptations, MUT is super intuitive and easy to sink hours into. Challenges break up the need for real matches, and can be breezed through without jumping back into menu screens – please take note, EA FC 26 – in order to hoover up coins and packs. A transformative addition is seeing how each card compares to your current line-up as soon as you earn it, from whence a tap of R2 installs it into your starting roster. Clever. There's a new single-player element called Solo Champions too, for those keen to avoid the endless deep passes that mar online contests.

Indeed, there's so much to enjoy in the base game that splashing cash just feels unnecessary, and a little grotesque. You won't play Superstar mode for as long as franchise, but fleshing out the folks in your 'Sphere of Influence' – from your agent, to tattoo artists – adds a neat off-field wrinkle, where every decision has a degree of consequence. Even exhibition games offer myriad variety, with sliders delivering near-limitless customisation, and weather effects so well-implemented that those aforementioned snow games make completing one intermediate pass feel triumphant. It's going to get stick – because it's EA, and it's the NFL, and those Premium Pass unlocks in MUT are a little naughty – but Madden 26 is, by some margin, the series' finest entry in over a decade.

Madden 26 was reviewed on PS5, with code provided by the publisher.

Check out our best sports games if you fancy more plays!

The Madden 26 best players list brought individual glory to Josh Allen and Ja'Marr Chase, but it didn't help them take the Bills or Bengals to the Super Bowl. Indeed, not a single member of the victorious Seattle Seahawks featured in the initial Madden 26 top 50 – proving it's a sport that rewards team play over solo skills. Look back on who did make the elite list, and who snuck in to this year's 99 Club, with your Madden 26 best players guide.

Madden 26 99 Club members

The Madden 26 99 Club features seven players, and completely rewrites the elite list from last season. Christian McCaffrey, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Trent Williams made the Madden 25 99 Club at launch – but none of them manage a repeat. They're replaced by Ja'Marr Chase (WR, Cincinnati), Josh Allen (QB, Buffalo), Justin Jefferson (WR, Minnesota), Lamar Jackson (QB, Baltimore), Lane Johnson (RT, Philadelphia), Myles Garrett (RE, Cleveland), and cover star Saquon Barkley (RB, Philadelphia).

The Top 50 Madden 26 player ratings

The Madden 26 best players list was unveiled gradually across last summer. Now it's in the wild, you can see the full Top 50 below. For more NFL help, check out our Madden 26 QB Traits guide.

• 1 Ja’Marr Chase (WR, Cincinnati) - 99
• 2 Josh Allen (QB, Buffalo) - 99
• 3 Justin Jefferson (WR, Minnesota) - 99
• 4 Lamar Jackson (QB, Baltimore) - 99
• 5 Lane Johnson (RT, Philadelphia) - 99
• 6 Myles Garrett (RE, Cleveland) - 99
• 7 Saquon Barkley (HB, Philadelphia) - 99
• 8 Derrick Henry (HB, Baltimore) - 98
• 9 George Kittle (TE, San Francisco) - 98
• 10 Micah Parsons (LE, Dallas) - 98
• 11 Chris Jones (DT, Kansas City) - 97
• 12 Dexter Lawrence II (DT, New York Giants) - 97
• 13 Fred Warner (MLB, San Francisco) - 97
• 14 Joe Burrow (QB, Cincinnati) - 97
• 15 Patrick Surtain II (CB, Denver) - 97
• 16 Trent Williams (LT, San Francisco) - 97
• 17 Amon-Ra St Brown (WR, Detroit) - 96
• 18 Jordan Mailata (LT, Philadelphia) - 96
• 19 Maxx Crosby (LE, Las Vegas) - 96
• 20 Penei Sewell (LT, Detroit) - 96
• 21 TJ Watt (LE, Pittsburgh) - 96
• 22 Tristan Wirfs (LT, Tampa Bay) - 96
• 23 CeeDee Lamb (WR, Dallas) - 95
• 24 Christian Gonzalez (CB, New England) - 95
• 25 Derrick Brown (DT, Carolina) - 95
• 26 Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Detroit) - 95
• 27 Jessie Bates III (FS, Atlanta) - 95
• 28 Nick Bosa (LE, San Francisco) - 95
• 29 Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City) - 95
• 30 Quinn Meinerz (RG, Denver) - 95
• 31 Tyreek Hill (WR, Miami) - 95
• 32 Cameron Heyward (DT, Pittsburgh) - 94
• 33 Chris Lindstrom (RG, Atlanta) - 94
• 34 Christian McCaffrey (HB, San Francisco) - 94
• 35 Creed Humphrey (C, Kansas City) - 94
• 36 Jalen Ramsey (CB, Pittsburgh) - 94
• 37 Laremy Tunsil (LT, Washington) - 94
• 38 Roquan Smith (MLB, Baltimore) - 94
• 39 Sauce Gardner (CB, New York Jets) - 94
• 40 Terry McLaurin (WB, Washington) - 94
• 41 Trent McDuffie (CB, Kansas City) - 94
• 42 AJ Brown (WR, Philadelphia) - 93
• 43 Aidan Hutchinson (LE, Detroit) - 93
• 44 Derek Stingley Jr (CB, Houston) - 93
• 45 Derwin James Jr (SS, Los Angeles Chargers) - 93
• 46 Joe Thuney (LG, Chicago) - 93
• 47 Mike Evans (WR, Tampa Bay) - 93
• 48 Nnamdi Madubuike (DT, Baltimore) - 93
• 49 Travis Kelce (TE, Kansas City) - 93
• 50 Vita Vea (DT, Tampa Bay) - 93

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.

Ask any long-standing Gridiron fan what they miss most from the pre-Ultimate Team era, and you'll get an almost universal answer: the ESPN NFL 2K5 Half-Time Show. Fronted by Chris Berman, and featuring match highlights accompanied by his insights and witticisms, it was supplemented in franchise mode by post-game SportsCenter broadcasts with results and touchdowns from around the league. By any standard, let alone that of 2004, it was spectacular. Two decades later, Madden 26 is finally delivering an EA equivalent.

Berman is still active, but these days most fans know Redzone host Scott Hanson as the voice of the NFL. Ingeniously, he's the man bringing these two highly welcome additions to life. Hanson fronts both the in-game half-time show and post-match highlights package, serving up key plays from around the league, with the aim of immersing you in an experience that changes on a weekly basis. That commitment extends to four unique broadcast packages. Sunday afternoon games get a neat minimalist look with modest build up, whereas Monday, Thursday, and Sunday night match-ups go all-in with fireworks, team entrances, and bespoke HUD features and stats overlays. This stuff matters. It's exactly why 2K5 is still so widely revered.

Indeed, during the pre-Ultimate Team era the longevity of sports games often came down to two key ingredients: presentation, and franchise mode. 12 years after the demise of the NCAA series, its successor College Football 25 demonstrated that many fans still prioritize authenticity over collecting digital cards or creating fantasy line-ups. To that end, EA Orlando has honed in on quality of life tweaks, in particular franchise, to such a degree that gameplay production director Clint Oldenburg shows us a laundry list of fresh features and – almost pleading – says "there's no way anyone can say this is the same game that came out last year".

Any given weekday

Principal game designer Josh Looman digs even deeper into the improvements list, with a particular focus on franchise. "This is the soul of Madden, and our biggest update in over a decade," he tells GR+. Feeling like a real head coach is the team's overall MO. You're now given access to one-off, game-specific playsheets that complement your team playbook, tailored to suit an opponent. If your Sunday foe is susceptible to deep passes, your offensive co-ordinator will dial up specific plays designed to beat them over the top. All of this is accessible from a new screen which displays opposition strengths and weaknesses, and enables you to set your 'load out' for the upcoming match – almost like an online shooter. It'll be fascinating to see how this plays out week-to-week in our August Madden 26 review.

It's not just the broadcast packages and weekly playsheets which aim to add to franchise variety. Looman says his team have committed significant resources to 'team need' logic, NFL draft logic, and sim stats – three areas which fans love to hate every year. Weather impacts gameplay hugely now (more on which shortly), so good luck going to Buffalo or Green Bay during the playoffs. And there's a clean Coach Center hub where you can see exactly what abilities you and your co-ordinators have and how to improve upon them, or expand your repertoire – as well as track your approval rating with the media, staff, players, and fans. (Like in real life, some cities are tough to win over.)

"We've got a great team, and we're pushing harder than we've ever pushed before," says Looman. "We're trying to put as much in the game that's meaningful as we can… I think the coach meta game is going to be huge. It's going to change the week-to-week. I love approval rating, we had it years ago [in Madden NFL 05], that and the weekly recap and highlight show are crazy. The broadcast packages… I'm really excited to talk about all of it. Scott Hanson is amazing. This is what we've needed for the longest time."

Winter is coming

None of these franchise enhancements will matter if Madden 26 gameplay doesn't hold up beyond the winter months. Here's where Oldenburg's laundry list comes to the fore, with a specific focus on QB DNA, and explosive locomotion. That last one isn't about planting bombs on trains, Die Hard with a Vengeance style. Rather, it's all about elite speed meaning 'elite'. Burst past the deepest safety and no-one is catching you, while a well-timed cutback leaves linebackers tackling air. Defensive AI has been retooled, with custom zones enabling you to combat custom stems – for a better understanding of how those work, dip into our Madden 25 tips.

QB DNA sounds especially intriguing. Just as the real NFL is quarterback-focussed, so too is the way most gamers play Madden – and EA looks to have done stellar work in this department. It's retooled everything about QB animations, signatures, and player traits, with nine unique ball holds – such as Trevor Lawrence clasping the ball low, with both hands. Kyler Murray scrambles with small, tippy tape steps, Patrick Mahomes darts in last-minute one-handed sidearms, Josh Allen attempts to truck defenders mid-scramble rather than slide to the ground. There are 50 new QB traits in total, all backed by real-life player data. It really does feel so much fun to play as Murray, then Allen, then Lamar Jackson (because who wouldn't?) during our hands-on.

The most enjoyable part of the experience, however, goes beyond QB play. It is, quite simply, weather. One of the most common pieces of feedback EA has received in recent years is that snow and rain should really matter – and hoo boy, they do now. Snow games look so realistic that you can't see the opposite end zone until up close, with players struggling to change direction as they aim to maintain their footing, and even heavy rain can cause running backs or linebackers to slip and slide. Not every casual gamer is going to love this – imagine throwing a pick when your wide receiver slips while making a cut – but for the purists, it's a monumental breakthrough. In a blizzard, with the new Monday Night Football overlays, Madden 26 looks astonishing.

I've specified the visuals in that sentence because only sustained play will tell us whether EA's NFL sim is keeping stride with the little brother series that claimed GR's sports game of the year award for 2024. College Football 26 is the game to beat, but this series is making serious improvements too – with all the noise right now about franchise and presentation, rather than a million new Ultimate Team bells and whistles. This is Madden's most promising summer in years. Let's hope that it can deliver on that abundant first-round-pick potential.

Want some sports action you can play now? Leap into our WWE 2K25 review.

The Madden 26 release date edges ever closer, with first details of this year’s official NFL sim suggesting that lessons have been learned from the return of College Football. In-depth Wear & And Tear and widespread broadcasting improvements are just two of the ways that EA Orlando looks to be overhauling its veteran Gridiron franchise. ‘Franchise’ being an operative word – because that once-beloved mode is also getting a much-needed makeover.

On the field, QB DNA is the most noteworthy addition, but there’s an assortment of other upgrades too, with news of Ultimate Team still to come. The Madden 26 cover star is Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, while there are intriguing cameos from yesteryear favourites such as Randy Moss. More on that below, along with the Madden 26 trailer and pre-order bonuses. This is everything you need to know about Madden 26.

Madden 26 release date

The official NFL game always emerges shortly ahead of the real-life season. This year’s regular season schedule gets underway on Thursday, September 4 when the Dallas Cowboys visit rivals and reigning Super Bowl champs the Philadelphia Eagles. That means the Madden 26 release date is three weeks earlier, on Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Madden 26 platforms

Madden’s sister series, NCAA, made a triumphant comeback in 2024 – exclusive to current-gen consoles. That means College Football 26 is only available on PS5 and Xbox Series X. Madden 26, however, maintains the series’ long tradition of being available on both modern consoles and those of yesteryear. That means you can play is on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, PC, and – yes – it’s also coming to Nintendo Switch 2.

Madden 26 trailer

The first Madden 26 trailer is all about atmosphere. It showcases the impressive pre-game build-up for a Vikings evening game, with a cameo appearance from Randy Moss – watch closely! We also see hellacious tackles, and big plays from Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Tap that panel to watch for yourself.

Madden 26 cover vote winner

Philly’s year of glory continues with the news that the Madden 26 cover vote winner is Eagles running back Saquon Barkley – although these days that choice is made internally within EA.

It wasn’t always this way, which is why whispers of a Madden 26 cover vote still managed to infiltrate social media. Historically the game’s main man was chosen by a fan poll over the internet, but this had to be changed following Madden 12. That year, Cleveland Browns fans overwhelmed the vote, catapulting mid-tier RB Peyton Hillis onto the front of the box – and ensuring EA would decide on its cover athlete in-house for future editions.

Madden 26 pre-order bonuses

With EA now making two annual Gridiron games, the strongest Madden 26 pre-order bonuses are tied into the MVP Bundle. Not only do you get a whole list of Ultimate Team goodies, but you also score College Football 26 (and all its additional extras) into the bargain. However, it’ll set you back $149.99. Those on a more modest budget can opt for the Deluxe Edition ($99.99), or Standard Edition ($69.99). Below is a comprehensive list of exactly what you get in each.

MVP Bundle

• Exclusive MUT Elite Player Item
• 3 Days Early Access (Aug 11 to 14)
• 4600 Madden Points
• Early Access Ultimate Team Solo Challenges
• Season 1 Elite Player Player Item (if you pre-order before July 24)
• Saquon Barkley Elite MUT Player Item
• Superstar Legendary XP Boost
• Player Card Exclusive Item
• Franchise Coach Ability Points”

Madden NFL 26 Deluxe Edition pre-order bonuses

• 3 Days Early Access (Aug 11 to 14)
• 4600 Madden Points
• Early Access Ultimate Team Solo Challenges
• Season 1 Elite Player Player Item (if you pre-order before July 24)
• Saquon Barkley Elite MUT Player Item
• Superstar Legendary XP Boost
• Player Card Exclusive Item
• Franchise Coach Ability Points

Madden NFL 26 Standard Edition pre-order bonuses

• Saquon Barkley Elite MUT Player Item
• Superstar Legendary XP Boost
• Franchise Coach Ability Points

Madden 26 franchise mode details

For two decades, fans have pressurised EA to pour some love into a mode that existed long before Ultimate Team. With good reason – and it’s finally happening. Madden 26 franchise mode serves up a laundry list of changes, with draft logic, team needs logic and sim stats all retooled. Weather like snow and rain affects gameplay, while the impact of Wear & Tear means realistic injury reports, with players listed as questionable and doubtful in the build up to your games.

Ahead of those games, you’re able to hone in on opponent strengths and weaknesses, and build a shooter-style load-out specific to one match – with individual play sheets than expand your playbook for one week only. Four different broadcast packages add week-to-week variety, as do any overhauled coaching tree, where your co-ordinators’ abilities matter as much as your head coach ones. Best of all, we're finally getting highlights packages from around the league, hosted by Scott Hanson. It’s looking like a tantalising comeback for this classic mode.

Madden 26 gameplay

Franchise improvements will be meaningless if Madden 26 can’t escape the sameness of recent times. But, as demonstrated in our Madden 26 preview, developer EA Orlando knows this and is aiming to implement major changes on both sides of the ball. For the offense that means quick subs at the line of scrimmage, explosive locomotion, and ‘QB DNA’ – with 50 new traits like make Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson all feel like their authentic selves. In front of them, a focus on ‘foundational football’ sees blocking intelligence and animations fully retooled, too.

For the D, that same mantra means “assignment, alignment and technique” all come into play – so in theory, a cornerback will only pick off an aerial ball if he can see it first, rather than it being magnetically pulled into his hands. Custom zones and safety depth can both be edited at the line, while the result of tackles is based on more nuanced physicals calculations depending on a defenders angle and speed. That’s how it’s all supposed to work, anyway. It felt promising on our hands-on, and we’re excited to see whether it can hold up during sustained play in our mid-August review.

For even more turf-based fun, head over to our list of the best sports games of all time.

The introduction of Madden 26 QB Traits sees real life data make Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson play just like their real selves. At least, that's the intention of this Madden 26 wrinkle. There are 50 new traits overall in this year's game – and while they're not all tied to the quarterback position, you can see every single one in our Madden 26 QB Traits guide.

All Madden 26 QB Traits and Player Traits

Below is the complete list of Madden 26 QB Traits and Player Traits, based on real life statistics. Take Josh Allen, for example. "Allen will have the ‘Run Over’ trait, which makes him more likely to run through contact when scrambling rather than sliding or running out of bounds," explains EA. "Allen was assigned this trait because over the last two NFL seasons, Allen leads the league with 54% of his scrambles resulting in at least three yards after contact."

• Look For Stars: QBs with this trait look to throw to their star receivers more
• Risk Taker: QBs with this trait tend to force the ball downfield and into tight windows
• Conservative: QBs with this trait tend to throw shorter passes and avoid forcing passes into tight windows
• Cannon: QBs with this trait have a higher tendency to throw bullet passes
• Up and Over: QBs with this trait have a higher tendency to throw lob passes
• Snap Mischief: QBs with this trait often perform fake hikes, especially on late downs in short-yardage situations
• Seeing Ghosts- After a sack, QBs with this trait tend to force a pass to their first read for the next three plays, resetting at the end of a drive
• Quick Trigger: QBs with this trait quickly attempt throws to their check down, not waiting for the play to develop
• Throw Away: QBs with this trait have a higher tendency to throw the ball away when facing pressure.
• Panic Button: QBs with this trait have a higher tendency to force passes when facing pressure
• Double Back: QBs with this trait can scramble away from the sideline to keep the play alive.
• Eyes Up: QBs with this trait keep their eyes up when moving towards the line of scrimmage, waiting longer for plays to develop before scrambling
• Set Up Time: QBs with this trait tend to set their feet before attempting a pass
• Hero Ball: QBs with this trait attempt to scramble for yards if they think they can get the first down
• Quick Clock: QBs with this trait tend to escape the pocket after making their first read
• Happy Feet: QBs with this trait will almost always be moving.
• Paranoid: QBs with this trait react more to nearby defenders, feeling pressured even in less intense situations.
• Oblivious: QBs with this trait remain calm near defenders, feeling less pressure even in intense situations
• Highlight Reel: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt spectacular catches
• Possession Receiver: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt Possession catches.
• RAC Receiver: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt RAC catches
• Aggressive Receiver: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt aggressive catches.
• Red Zone Jammer: DBs with this trait tend to attempt a jam press on press plays in the red zone.
• Play Ball Defender: Players with this trait are riskier and try for interceptions they may not be able to reach
• Play Receiver: Players with this trait are safer and won't try for interceptions they may be not able to reach
• Steering Clear: Players with this trait attempt to avoid hits by performing slides, give-ups, or running out of bounds
• Showboat: Players with this trait are able to use Celebration Loco on breakaways
• Cannonball: Players with this trait are able to do Celebration Dives into the endzone
• Run Over: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a truck, and if they are a QB, they are less likely to slide
• Strong Arm: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a stiff arm, and if they are a QB, they are less likely to slide
• Whirlwind: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a spin move
• Elusive Instinct: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a juke move
• Cover Ball: Players with this trait attempt to cover the ball on all big hits
• Big Hitter: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt Hit Sticks
• Safe Tackler: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt conservative tackles
• Punch It Out: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt strip tackles.
• Knee Biter: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt Cut Sticks
• Finesse Rusher: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a Finesse Move
• Power Rusher: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a Power Move
• Twister: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a Spin Move
• Bullish: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a Bull Rush
• Bouncer: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a Club Move
• Fly Swatter: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to raise their hands to disrupt shallow passes
• Gas Guzzler: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to use Effort on pass rushes
• Freestyler: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to attempt a Swim Move
• Undisciplined: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to commit penalties
• Disciplined: Players with this trait have a lower tendency to commit penalties
• Anchored: QBs with this trait have a lower tendency to leave the pocket or scramble for yards
• Throw It Up: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to target outside receivers on deep or contested throws
• Fortifier: Players with this trait have a higher tendency to audible into Max Protection against potential pressure

Madden 25 sliders still have their use despite the August release of its follow-up. This element of Madden 25 enables you to customise parameters such as blocking, interceptions and penalties – as a practise run for the next Madden, or simply to enjoy a bargain bin purchase. Fine-tune your official NFL experience in myriad ways using our step-by-step Madden 25 sliders guide.

How to input Madden 25 sliders

Madden 25 sliders might sound daunting to the newcomer, but they're actually really straightforward to deploy. First, jump into the main menu, then move down to Settings. Select Edit Settings, then match the headings on the list below to the tabs in the horizontal menu bar.

If no value is listed below then leave that particular setting at default. Once you’ve input everything, be sure to try to sample a couple of exhibition matches and see how the game feels. You can then make further tweaks to personalise your own experience. Need gameplay help? Then dip into our Madden 25 tips and Madden 25 best playbooks guides.

Best Madden 25 sliders for realism

Game Options

• Skill Level: All-Madden
• Game Style: Simulation
• Quarter Length: 12 minutes
• Accelerated Clock: On
• Minimum Play Clock Time: 20 seconds
• Injuries: 25
• Fatigue: 50
• Speed Disparity Scale: 75
• Physics Based Tackling: 70

Penalties

• Offside: 65
• False Start: 70
• Offensive Holding: 55
• Facemask: 70
• Illegal Block in the Back: 50
• Roughing the Passer: 40
• Defensive Pass Interference: 65
• Ineligible Receiver Downfield: On
• Offensive Pass Interference: On
• Kick Catch Interference: On
• Intentional Grounding: Off
• Roughing the Kicker: On
• Running into the Kicker: On
• Illegal Contact: On

Player Skill

• QB Accuracy: 40
• Pass Blocking: 45
• WR Catch: 43
• Run Blocking: 40
• Ball Security: 30
• Pass Defensive Reaction: 50
• Interceptions: 30
• Pass Coverage: 40
• Tackling: 50
• FG Power: 50
• FG Accuracy: 40
• Punt Power: 60
• Punt Accuracy: 50
• Kickoff Power: 50

CPU Skill

• QB Accuracy: 40
• Pass Blocking: 40
• WR Catch: 35
• Run Blocking: 50
• Ball Security: 45
• Pass Defensive Reaction: 50
• Interceptions: 30
• Pass Coverage: 40
• Tackling: 50
• FG Power: 50
• FG Accuracy: 40
• Punt Power: 60
• Punt Accuracy: 50
• Kickoff Power: 50

Auto-Subs

• Running Backs Sub Out: 90
• Running Backs Sub In: 95
• Defensive Tackles Sub Out: 90
• Defensive Tackles Sub In: 95
• Defensive Ends Sub Out: 90
• Defensive Ends Sub In: 95

Madden 25 sliders credits

As with our College Football 25 sliders, the community has had a major hand in producing these Madden 25 tweaks. On that front, we need to credit Matt10 and Playmakers at Operation Sports. Still in the market for more NFL help? Our Madden 25 celebrations and Madden 25 rookie ratings guides should be just what you're looking for.

If you're looking for some help in picking the best Madden 25 playbooks to secure victory for your team, then you've come to the right place. We've been through and studied all of the options available to pick out our five must-try offensive tactics, which include the Colts playbook – a firm favorite of the best Madden player on the planet – alongside entries from Miami, New England, Cincinnati, and San Fran. We also have two elite defensive set-ups to keep you protected, so get the lowdown with our Madden 25 best playbooks guide.

Moved on to the next instalment? We've also got a guide to the Madden 26 best playbooks to keep you up to date.

The best five Madden 25 offensive playbooks

Offense is the very heart of the modern NFL. That usually means airing the ball out, and this approach is naturally exhibited here in Madden 25. But if you’re looking for a strong run game, or more balanced attack, then be sure to read on…

Miami Dolphins 

In-game label: MIA - M. McDaniel
Best for: Crazy plays and super speed
Summary: Mike McDaniel has earned a reputation as a creative genius since taking on the Miami head coaching role, and capitalised on the insane speed of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De'Von Achane.

It’s no surprise, then, that the Dolphins’ playbook is stacked with trick plays, and quick throws – usually to receivers already in motion. These enable fast skill players to elude their opposite numbers on a regular basis. Experiment with Pistol Tight Y Off Flex formation to see what we mean. No wonder Miami is so high on the Madden 25 best teams list.

Cincinnati Bengals

In-game label: CIN - Z. Taylor
Best for: Passing with a Plan B
Summary: Joe Burrow may have missed half the 2023 season through injury, but the Bengals’ system remains built around his strong, accurate arm. If you want to go aerial, the Cincy playbook is a formidable choice, offering seven Singleback sets, and a staggering 21 Shotgun ones.

Get inside the opposition 20 and you can then mix in a welcome selection of zone runs or the QB Draw, just when your foe is expecting a jump ball to the back pylon. (Although, if you do decide to throw in that situation, make sure you learn how to use Custom Stems in our Madden 25 tips guide.)

Indianapolis Colts

In-game label: IND - S. Steichen
Best for: Emulating the king of Madden
Summary: This is the offense used by Henry Leverette – the world’s number one ranked Madden player of recent times. Its Shotgun Bunch Offset plays pull defensive formations all over the joint, with two receivers bunched in by the offensive line, and one set out wide on the opposite side of the field.

Your foe will often be so busy trying to cover those guys running crosses or posts that they’ll miss your HB breaking free underneath, giving you easy gains in the open field. If it’s good enough for the Madden king, you can guarantee it’ll bring you TDs and Madden 25 celebrations, too.

New England Patriots

In-game label: NE - J. Mayo
Best for: Moving the chains gradually
Summary: Dink, dunk, dink, dunk. The Bill Belichick era may be over – indeed, NE doesn’t have a single Madden 25 X-Factors and Superstars player – but the system that brought him so much success in New England maintains its influence over the Patriots’ playbook.

Short, fast passes to slot receivers enable you to pick up short gains before the D can react, and the running plays on offer from Singleback Wing Tight Z and Ace Slot enable you to further wear an opponent down. Win the time of possession battle and you’ll claim more Ws than Ls.

San Francisco 49ers

In-game label: SF - K. Shanahan
Best for: Ground and pound (and pound again)
Summary: Cover star Christian McCaffrey tops the Madden 25 best players list, and his real-life qualities translate brilliantly to Madden. He can run with speed, power, and elusiveness, aided by a 49ers playbook that concentrates on getting the half-back open with committed Pistol and I Form blocking schemes.

There are plentiful passing options too – Brock Purdy is no puppet – but if you want to establish a ground game that has the opposition wheezing by the third quarter, learn and master San Fran’s catalogue of big runs. Oh, what a rush.

The best two Madden 25 defensive playbooks

No matter how good your offensive skills, you still need to play defense at some point. Y’know, for at least half a game, on average.

So it’s worth actually considering how to pick up sacks and interceptions, rather than just wing it on every play. These top tactics are sure to help…

Kansas City Chiefs

In-game label: KC - A-Reid
Best for: Defending the pass
Summary: Kansas City have won two Super Bowls in three years by outscoring teams with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. But a key part of that formula is bend-but-don’t-break defense. They’re willing to give up short gains on running plays rather than get beaten deep in the secondary.

This playbook reflects that, giving you sound nickel and zone coverage that makes it difficult for opponents who just want to throw, throw, throw. For getting started online, where the majority of players want to take constant shots downfield, it’s the no-brainer choice.

Cleveland Browns

In-game label: CLE - K. Stefanski
Best for: Aggression, and pure fun
Summary: Cleveland’s D playbook offers a totally different approach to the Chiefs. It does offer some deep cover, but its main strength is getting pressure on the D using blitzes, and aggressive linemen and linebacker play.

You need two good defensive ends to maximise that approach, but also two reliable safeties for those times when the tactic doesn’t pay off and the QB gets a deep shot away. This is a high-risk playbook – but that’s what makes it the most fun when you conjure up a sack and field-flipping 12-yard-loss. Boom!

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Madden 25 tips enable you to rewrite history. Not something you're likely to do as an Eagles fan, but supporters of any other team can now use Madden 25 to change the destination of last season's Lombardi Trophy. We explain Custom Stems, training camps and so much more in your essential Madden 25 tips guide.

1. Roll with one of the top five teams

A no-brainer to kick you off with. Madden 25 isn’t perfect, but it’s a big improvement on last year, with plenty of new features to try out – such as the kicking meter ported over from College Football 25, Switch Stick, and Custom Stem routes – both of which we’ll get to shortly. In order to fully grasp all the fresh additions, it’s worth cueing up a few matches with the game’s top rosters. Mahomes and Kelce make the Chiefs insanely fun, Miami’s speed is a riot on every play, and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson is even more OP than prime Michael Vick. The top five is below, and you can see all ratings on our Madden 25 best teams list. 

• 1= Kansas City Chiefs - 92
• 1= San Francisco 49ers - 92
• 3 Baltimore Ravens - 91
• 4 Miami Dolphins - 89
• 5= Dallas Cowboys - 88
• 5= Detroit Lions - 88

2. Use the Custom Stem option with your receivers

Hot routing a receiver at the line of scrimmage has always provided a tactical edge. This year it gets even better with something called Custom Stem, which adjusts the breaking point of your receiver’s route downfield. Before the snap, press triangle (PlayStation) or Y (Xbox), then the corresponding button of the catcher you want to re-route. Now hold L1/LB and move the left stick or D-pad up to extend the distance, or down to shorten it. Finally, release L1/LB to lock in the new route. It’s a spectacular way to exploit man-to-man coverage, or precisely target the back pylon for a TD.

3. Master the Switch Stick

The much-vaunted return of the Hit Stick has scored plenty of hype on defense, but the new Switch Stick is an even bigger game-changer. As that name suggests, it enables you to instantly switch to the closest defender with a flick of the right stick. For instance, if the ball is in the air and you see a slot receiver sloping past your nickel back, you can adjust a CB1 or CB2 to drift inside, and block the pass or take down the WR as soon as he grabs the ball. It’s a super tough skill to master, but elite players are going to do exactly that online – and practise makes perfect. Note that you can only use the Switch Stick in Zone, and can’t switch to a player committed to a blitz. 

4. Stop dropping back - and throw the ball away

Madden wouldn’t be Madden without QBs dropping back 15 yards, then launching a downfield heave into double coverage. When it come off it feels incredible – but nine times out of ten you’re being sacked, intercepted, or having the ball batted away. Get used to staying in the pocket, and letting your LT and RT do their jobs. QBs always throw more accurately with their feet properly set. The exception is if you can’t see an open receiver on first or second down: in these circumstances, dash outside the pocket and throw the ball away by pushing in any direction on the right stick. QB play is an element Madden handles well, and the more realistic your approach, the greater the rewards.

5. Take Training Camp seriously

After starting a new franchise, it’s always tempting to fast forward through the meaningless pre-season games and jump straight into the week one schedule. You’re wasting an important development opportunity by doing so in Madden 25. Training Camp offers a series of mini-games which are both fun, and offer decent rewards – but once you’ve accepted the results of a mini-game, it becomes locked and you can’t go back. So be sure to play each of them, and retry until you get either a gold, silver or bronze medal. Do well enough and there’s a chance of turning a Superstar into an X-Factor player. On which note…

6. Know your X-Factors and Superstars

Our Madden 25 best players guide will steer you on this year’s top 50, but it’s important to remember that some perform beyond their stats thanks to X-Factors and Superstar abilities. These can really help when starting out a franchise, or building an Ultimate Team. For instance, both San Francisco and Baltimore have five players with X-Factors – whereas the Patriots are the only team in the entire game without a single of either designation. Players newly upgraded with X-Factors include Jets CB Sauce Gardner (Shutdown) and Lions WR Amon-Ra St Brown (Double Me). See them all in GR’s Madden 25 X-Factors guide.

7. Turn on all the classic Madden tracks

Notice how fave Madden tracks from yesteryear, such as Party Hard by Andrew WK and Green Day’s American Idiot, can be heard in the stadium? You can also add these songs to the main soundtrack, and have them play on menus during Ultimate Team, franchise and so on, too. To do so, click the touchpad (PlayStation) or View button (Xbox) while on the home screen, then R1/RT to bring up EA Music. Scroll down to the halfway point and you’ll see all the old songs, with unchecked tick boxes next to them. Press X or A to fill in the tick box of any you want to play throughout the game. No One Knows, In Da Club, Ruff Ryder’s Anthem: it really is a formidable tracklist. Now time for some Madden 25 celebrations…

It’s Madden 25 rookie ratings time, which means an injection of new blood to enjoy in the returning NFL sim. In this feature, we’ll guide you through the top 20 Madden 25 wonderkids to join the league this year – both in list form, and by honing in on the names you’re likely to see shine. Read on for profiles of Joe Alt and Brock Bowers, or skip straight to the bottom for the top 20 Madden 25 rookie ratings.

Madden 25 rookie ratings profiles

Below are seven names to watch throughout the coming season, both in real life and on the virtual turf of Madden 25. If you’re more keen to find out how the experienced pros play, try our Madden 25 best teams list and Madden 25 best players guide. We also drill down even deeper into specific abilities with your one-stop Madden 25 X-Factors and Superstars list.

1 Joe Alt (T, Los Angeles Chargers) - 79

The Chargers used a top five pick on this big boy out of Notre Dame, and unwillingly grabbed the highest-rated rookie in Madden too. Alt will be an immediate starter in LA, and given the critical task of protecting Justin Herbert’s blind side. He gets a colossal 88 impact blocking rating, and does the basics excellently too: 82 for run blocking, 81 for pass blocking.

2 Marvin Harrison Jr (WR, Arizona Cardinals)

The premier selection of seven receivers taken in the NFL Draft first round boasts a name you’ll be very familiar with. This is, of course, the son of Colts legend Marvin Harrison. But there’s no Peyton Manning to sling balls to in Arizona, so it’ll be fascinating to see whether this Harrison can gel with Cardinals signal-caller Kyler Murray. Along with his 79 overall rating, he gets 94 speed, 93 acceleration, 84 catching, and 93 jumping.

3 Brock Bowers (TE, Las Vegas Raiders) - 78

Tight end has been a barren position for fantasy players over the past two seasons, so expect the 6ft 3in Bowers to go high in drafts – just as he did in real life. You can try him out for size yourself right now by helming the Raiders in Madden, and using Gardner Minshew to sling him some balls. An 81 catch in traffic score sees him snag throws in tight windows, bolstered by an 85 catching rating – and 91 acceleration to race away from defenders.

4 Dallas Turner (ROLB, Minnesota Vikings) - 78

Justin Jefferson is the talismanic figure in Minnesota these days, but the Vikes are also building well on the other side of the ball – and picked up another solid puzzle piece in the 2023 SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Turner takes his Madden bow with key ratings of 90 speed, 93 acceleration, 85 toughness, 83 pursuit, and 80 tackling. If you fancy giving his former Crimson Tide squad a runout, dip into our College Football 25 tips. 

5 Olumuyiwa Fashanu (LT, New York Jets) - 78

Joe Alt may have been taken before him, but Penn State alumnus Fashanu looks to a be a formable addition to the NFL’s left tackle ranks. His signing is great news for Aaron Rodgers as the former Green Bay man returns from a year out through injury. Key numbers for Fashanu include 88 strength, 84 pass block, 88 impact blocking and 79 run block.

8 Jonathon Brooks (RB, Carolina Panthers) - 77

The Panthers were in desperate need for running back help to support Bryce Young, so drafted Brooks in the second round following a 1,139 yard season for the Texas Longhorns. He might have been taken at spot 46, but EA has seen enough to grant Brooks a top ten slot in the Madden 25 rookie rankings. Take control of Carolina and deploy his 86 toughness, 90 speed, 91 acceleration, and 92 carrying.

13 Caleb Williams (QB, Chicago Bears) - 76

Six quarterbacks were taken in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but EA needs to be careful not to make young QBs too OP – so Williams, the earliest selected from that bunch, receives a modest 76 OVR. That number will shoot up fast with some franchise mode successes. For now you get 86 speed, 89 acceleration, 93 throwing power, 86 short throw accuracy, and 86 throw the run.

The top 20 Madden 25 rookie ratings

Here are your top 20 Madden 25 rookie ratings, all in one place. These rankings are correct as of the game’s launch weekend of Saturday, August 17. Looking to bust a move when your star youngster pulls off a pick six, or spectacular sideline grab? Then you now need GR’s Madden 25 celebrations guide.

• 1 Joe Alt (RT, Los Angeles Chargers) - 79
• 2 Marvin Harrison Jr (WR, Arizona Cardinals) - 79
• 3 Brock Bowers (TE, Las Vegas Raiders) - 78
• 4 Dallas Turner (ROLB, Minnesota Vikings) - 78
• 5 Olumuyiwa Fashanu (LT, New York Jets) - 78
• 6 Amarius Mims (RT, Cincinnati Bengals) - 78
• 7 JC Latham (LT, Tennessee Titans) - 78
• 8 Jonathon Brooks (HB, Carolina Panthers) - 77
• 9 Lantau Latu (DE, Indianapolis Colts) - 77
• 10 Malik Nabers (WR, New York Giants) - 77
• 11 Troy Fautanu (RT, Pittsburgh Steelers) - 77
• 12 Tallies Fuaga (LT, New Orleans Saints) - 77
• 13 Caleb Williams (QB, Chicago Bears) - 76
• 14 Trey Benson (RB, Arizona Cardinals) - 76
• 15 Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Philadelphia Eagles) - 76
• 16 Rome Odunze (WR, Chicago Bears) - 76
• 17 Jared Verse (LOLB, Los Angeles Rams) - 76
• 18 Chop Robinson (LOLB, Miami Dolphins) - 76
• 19 Terrion Arnold (CB, Detroit Lions) - 76
• 20 Byron Murphy II (LE, Seattle Seahawks) - 76

Big news from the Madden 25 X-Factors list for Ravens fans: the new game sees Baltimore upgraded to having five elite players in their squad. Madden 25 Superstars and X-Factors enhance individual abilities beyond their standard ratings. Baltimore and San Francisco are the only two rosters to manage a quintet of X-Factor stars. We explain what they all do, and take you through the list of X-Factors and Superstar designations, in your Madden 25 X-Factors guide.

The Madden 25 X-Factors player list

All of the players below make the Madden 25 X-Factors list at launch. Last year EA added a bunch more in February, and we'll keep you updated during the play-offs should that reoccur. For ratings details, check out the Madden 25 best players list.

• BEARS: Keenan Allen (WR) – Max Security
• BENGALS: Joe Burrow (QB) – Run & Gun
• BENGALS: Ja’Marr Chase (WR)  – Double Me
• BILLS: Josh Allen (QB) – Bazooka
• BILLS: Matt Milano (ROLB) – Reinforcement
• BRONCOS: Patrick Surtain II (CB) – Shutdown
• BROWNS: Nick Chubb (RB) – Wrecking Ball
• BROWNS: Myles Garrett (RE) – Unstoppable Force
• BUCCANEERS: Mike Evans (WR) – Double Me
• BUCCANEERS: Lavonte David (MLB) – Run Stuffer
• CHARGERS: Derwin James Jr (SS) – Reinforcement
• CHIEFS: Patrick Mahomes (QB) – Bazooka
• CHIEFS: Travis Kelce (TE) – Double Me
• CHIEFS: Chris Jones (DT) – Momentum Shift
• COMMANDERS: Jonathan Allen (DT) – Momentum Shift
• COWBOYS: CeeDee Lamb (WR) – Yac 'Em Up
• COWBOYS: Micah Parsons (RE) – Dual Threat
• DOLPHINS: Tyreek Hill (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• DOLPHINS: Janel Ramsey (CB) – Bottleneck
• EAGLES: Saquon Barkley (HB) – First One Free
• EAGLES: AJ Brown (WR) – Max Security
• EAGLES: Jalen Hurts (QB) – Run & Gun
• EAGLES: Darius Slay Jr (CB) – Shutdown
• FALCONS: Jessie Bates III (FS) – Shutdown
• 49ERS: Christian McCaffrey (HB) – Ankle Breaker
• 49ERS: George Kittle (TE) – Yac ‘Em Up
• 49ERS: Fred Warner (MLB) – Zone Hawk
• 49ERS: Nick Bosa (RE) – Relentless
• 49ERS: Deebo Samuel Sr (WR) – Yac 'Em Up
• GIANTS: Dexter Lawrence (DT) – Blitz
• JAGUARS: Josh Hines-Allen (DE) – Unstoppable Force
• JETS: Sauce Gardner (CB) – Shutdown
• LIONS: Amon-Ra St Brown (WR) – Double Me
• PACKERS: Jaire Alexander (CB) – Shutdown
• RAIDERS: DaVante Adams (WR) – Double Me
• RAIDERS: Maxx Crosby (LOLB) – Relentless
• RAMS: Cooper Kupp (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• RAMS: Tre-Davious White (CB) – Shutdown
• RAVENS: Lamar Jackson (QB) – Truzz
• RAVENS: Mark Andrews (TE) – Rac ‘Em Up
• RAVENS: Kyle Hamilton (SS) – Reinforcement
• RAVENS: Derrick Henry (HB) – Freight Train
• RAVENS: Roquan Smith (MLB) – Reinforcement
• SAINTS: Demario Davis (MLB) – Reinforcement
• SAINTS: Marshon Lattimore (CB) – Shutdown
• SEAHAWKS: DK Metcalf (WR) – Double Me
• STEELERS: TJ Watt (LOLB) – Unstoppable Force
• STEELERS: Cameron Heyward (RE) – Fearmonger
• TEXANS: Stefon Diggs (WR) – Rac 'Em Up
• VIKINGS: Justin Jefferson (WR) – Double Me

Complete Madden 25 X-Factors abilities list

Below is the full list of Madden 25 X-Factors and what they do. Some of these, such as Avalanche, aren't assigned to any players on the default roster, but can still be found and implemented in Ultimate Team. Which may be just cause for some Madden 25 celebrations. 

• Ankle Breaker: High fakeout rate on skill moves following the catch
• Avalanche: Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles
• Bazooka: Max throwing distance increased 
• Blitz: On-field blockers have their resistance bars wiped
• Blitz Radar: Highlights extra blitzes
• Bottleneck: Dominantly win man press attempts
• Dots: Grants perfect passing on any throw
• Double Me: Wins aggressive catches vs single coverage
• Dual Threat: Higher chance to defeat bass blocks and disrupt catches 
• Escape Artist: Improved scrambling speed when leaving the pocket
• Fearmonger: Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker
• First One Free: High fakeout rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle 
• Freight Train: Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
• Max Security: High success rate on possession catches
• Momentum Shift: On field opponents have their zone progress wiped
• Pro Reads: Highlights the first open target and ignores pressure
• Rac ‘Em Up: Wins RAC catches
• Relentless: Rush moves no longer cost points
• Reinforcement: Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
• Run & Gun: Grants perfect passing while on the run
• Run Stuffer: Block shedding is more effective vs run plays
• Satellite: Wins RAC possession catches vs single coverage
• Shutdown: Tighter coverage & more interceptions on contested catches
• Unstoppable Force: Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
• Truzz: Can’t fumble as a result of a tackle
• Wrecking Ball: High success rate on trucks and stiff arms
• Yac ‘Em Up: Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle
• Zone Hawk: More interceptions in zone coverage

The full Madden 25 Superstars list

Superstars don’t have X-Factor abilities, but still come with skills that outperform their base stats. If you need to know full roster ratings before deciding which ones to trial in game, dip into our Madden 25 best teams guide – which features full rankings from 1 to 32.

• BEARS: DJ Moore (WR)
• BEARS: D'Andre Swift (HB)
• BENGALS: Trey Hendrickson (RE)
• BROWNS: Amari Cooper (WR)
• BROWNS: David Njoku (TE)
• BROWNS: Za'Darius Smith (LE)
• BROWNS: Wyatt Teller (RG)
• BROWNS: Denzel Ward (CB)
• BUCCANEERS: Chris Godwin (WR)
• BUCCANEERS: Vita Vea (DT)
• BUCCANEERS: Antoine Winfield (FS)
• BUCCANEERS: Tristan Wirfs (RT)
• CARDINALS: Budda Baker (SS)
• CHARGERS: Joey Bosa (LOLB)
• CHARGERS: Justin Herbert (QB)
• CHARGERS: Khalil Mack (ROLB)
• CHIEFS: Creed Humphrey (C)
• CHIEFS: Isiah Pacheco (HB)
• COLTS: DeForest Buckner (DT) 
• COLTS: Quenton Nelson (LG)
• COLTS: Jonathan Taylor (HB)
• COMMANDERS: Austin Ekeler (HB)
• COMMANDERS: Terry McLaurin (WR) 
• COWBOYS: Trevon Diggs (CB)
• COWBOYS: DaMarcus Lawrence (LE)
• COWBOYS: Dak Prescott (QB)
• COWBOYS: Zack Martin (RG)
• DOLPHINS: Terron Armstead (LT)
• DOLPHINS: Tua Tagovaiola (QB)
• DOLPHINS: Raheem Mostert (QB)
• DOLPHINS: Jordan Poyer (SS)
• DOLPHINS: Jaylen Waddle (WR)
• EAGLES: Jalen Carter (RE)
• EAGLES: Lane Johnson (RT)
• EAGLES: DeVonta Smith (WR)
• FALCONS: Matthew Judon (LOLB)
• FALCONS: Chris Lindstorm (RG)
• FALCONS: Bijan Robinson (HB)
• FALCONS: Justin Simmons (FS)
• FALCONS: AJ Terrell Jr (CB)
• 49ERS: Brandon Aiyuk (WR)
• 49ERS: Kyle Juszczyk (FB)
• 49ERS: Brock Purdy (QB)
• 49ERS: Trent Williams (LT)
• GIANTS: Brian Burns (ROLB)
• JAGUARS: Travis Etienne Jr (HB)
• JAGUARS: Evan Engram (TE)
• JAGUARS: Foyesade Oluokun (ROLB)
• JAGUARS: Trevor Lawrence (QB)
• JAGUARS: Brandon Scherff (RG)
• JETS: Breece Hall (WR)
• JETS: Haason Reddick (DE)
• JETS: Aaron Rodgers (QB)
• JETS: Tyron Smith (LT)
• JETS: Mike Williams (WR)
• JETS: Quinnen Williams (DT)
• LIONS: Aidan Hutchinson (DE)
• LIONS: Sam LaPorta (TE)
• LIONS: Frank Ragnow (C)
• LIONS: Penei Sewell (RT)
• PACKERS: Kenny Clark (DT)
• PACKERS: Rashan Gary (LOLB)
• PACKERS: Josh Jacobs (HB)
• PANTHERS: Derrick Brown (RE)
• RAMS: Puka Nucua (WR)
• RAMS: Kyren Williams (HB)
• RAVENS: Ronnie Stanley (LT)
• RAVENS: Marlon Humphrey (CB)
• RAVENS: Justin Tucker (K)
• SAINTS: Chase Young (CB)
• SEAHAWKS: Kenneth Walker III (HB)
• STEELERS: Minkah Fitzpatrick (FS)
• TEXANS: Nico Collins (WR)
• TEXANS: Danielle Hunter (RE)
• TEXANS: CJ Stroud (QB)
• TEXANS: Laremy Tunsil (LT)
• TITANS: Jeffery Simmons (RE)
• VIKINGS: TJ Hockenson (TE)
• VIKINGS: Aaron Jones (HB)
• VIKINGS: Harrison Smith (SS)

The Madden 25 best teams list at launch isn’t one packed with surprises. Top spot in Madden 25 is shared by last season’s Super Bowl combatants, with Kansas City and San Francisco sharing lofty overall ratings of 92. At the other end of the scale, the New York Giants bottom out this year’s team rankings with a score of just 75. Read on for a more detailed look at the top five Madden 25 best teams, and the complete Madden 25 rankings list.

The top five Madden 25 best teams 

These are the top five teams in Madden, beginning with last year's Super Bowl champs…

1= Kansas City Chiefs - 92

The reigning champs quite rightly score a massive overall rating, with both Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce inducted into this year’s 99 Club. Read more about that in our Madden 25 best players guide. Other standouts include Chris Jones (DT, 97), Creed Humphrey (C, 92) and Joe Thuney (LG, 91).

1= San Francisco 49ers - 92

With Madden 25 cover star Christian McCaffrey earning a 99 OVR, the 49ers are a force in this year’s game. Team-mate Trent Williams joins him in earning the maximum possible rating. Five other players earn 90+ numbers, including tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

3 Baltimore Ravens - 91

Good luck going up against John Harbaugh’s squad in online matches. Lamar Jackson is almost impossible to contain, with 95 speed, 95 acceleration, and a staggering 98 OVR. Plus he has 94-rated Derrick Henry to hand off to. Then there’s Roquan Smith (MLB, 95) marshalling the troops on the other side of the ball…

4 Miami Dolphins - 89

Florida’s offensive juggernauts are primed for another high-scoring year, both in real life and Madden. Tyreek Hill is a 99 Club inclusion, while a bunch of Miami players sit within the 80-89 bracket. Tau, Mostert, Waddle, Achane: you'll be busting out all the Madden 25 celebrations with these dudes.

5 Dallas Cowboys / Detroit Lions 88

The Cowboys may be perennial NFL underachievers, but EA still reckons they have a strong shot at play-off glory, sharing an overall score of 88 with the Lions. Shutdown corner Micah Parsons is their standout, with an overall of 98.

Complete Madden 25 team ratings list

These are the full Madden 25 team rankings, correct as of the game’s launch date of Friday, August 16.

• 1= Kansas City Chiefs - 92
• 1= San Francisco 49ers - 92
• 3 Baltimore Ravens - 91
• 4 Miami Dolphins - 89
• 5= Dallas Cowboys - 88
• 5= Detroit Lions - 88
• 7= Cleveland Browns - 87
• 7= Cincinnati Bengals - 87
• 7= Philadelphia Eagles - 87
• 10= Houston Texans - 86
• 10= New York Jets - 86
• 12= Buffalo Bills - 85
• 12= Pittsburgh Steelers - 85
• 14= Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 84
• 14= Atlanta Falcons - 84
• 16 New Orleans Saints - 83
• 17 Minnesota Vikings - 83
• 18= Los Angeles Rams - 82
• 18= Jacksonville Jaguars - 82
• 18= Indianapolis Colts - 82
• 18= Los Angeles Chargers - 82
• 22= Chicago Bears - 81
• 22= Las Vegas Raiders - 81
• 22= Green Bay Packers - 81
• 25= Tennessee Titans - 80
• 25= Seattle Seahawks - 80
• 25= New England Patriots - 80
• 28= Denver Broncos - 79
• 28= Carolina Panthers - 79
• 30 Washington Commanders - 78
• 31 Arizona Cardinals - 76
• 32 New York Giants - 75

The evolution of Madden 25 celebrations makes for one of the best new features in the updated Gridiron sim. For the first time in series history, Madden 25 enables you to trigger signature moves such as Colin Kaepernick’s bicep kiss, Cam Newton’s ball flip and Deion Sanders’ Primetime dance. There are 30 common celebrations you can unleash after touchdowns or interceptions, too. Find out how to do them all in GR’s Madden 25 celebrations guide.

How to do Madden 25 celebrations

Madden 25 celebrations are a little simpler than College Football 25 celebrations. Whereas that game has specific options after first downs, touchdowns and interceptions, Madden keeps things simpler. After any big play you’ll see an onscreen prompt with four options, such as flex, dance, swagger, or – if you’re controlling one of the players below – a more personal choice. Press up, down, left or right on the right stick to unleash the corresponding move. 

Madden 25 signature celebrations list

Below is the Madden 25 signature celebrations list, in alphabetical order according to a player’s first name. If you’re more interested in how they play than what they can do after a touchdown, check out GR’s Madden 25 best players guide.

• Aaron Rodgers – Championship Belt 
• Aldon Smith – Sack Swagger Dance
• Alfred Morris – Home Run Swing 
• Antonio Brown – Bennie Biggle Wiggle 
• Antonio Smith – Sword Fight 
• Arian Foster – Disciplined Bow 
• Cam Newton – Flip the Ball to Fans 
• Cameron Wake – Super Flex 
• Colin Kaepernick – Bicep Kiss 
• Clay Matthews – Dirty Dancing 
• Clay Matthews – Predator  
• Deion Sanders – Primetime Dance 
• Dez Bryant – X Arms 
• Gerald McCoy – Wave to the Fans
•  J.J. Watt – Mock Clay Matthews Predator
•  J.J. Watt – Finger Wag  
• John Abraham – Got my Eyes on You 
• Maurice Jones Drew – Touchdown Dance 
• Marshawn Lynch – Skittles Rain Dance
• Michael Crabtree – Crabshake 
• Patrick Willis – Flex Muscles 
• Ray Rice – Flex his Bicep 
• Robert Griffin III – Kneel and Point to the Sky 
• Shaun Phillips – Bowling a Strike 
• Stevan Ridley – Kick in the Door 
• Victor Cruz – Full Salsa Dance 
• Von Miller – Sack Swagger Dance

Madden 25 common celebrations

Your next A-to-Z list covers all Madden 25 common celebrations. There’s more of a lottery involved when getting one of these to trigger, but they’re all there for you to find if you play for long enough. If you only want to handle elite rosters, check out our Madden 25 best teams list, which is coming soon.

• The Dougie 
• Air Guitar 
• Beating his Chest 
• Beating his Chest v2 
• Big Man High Steps 
• Big Man Poses 
• Can’t See Me 
• Cat Daddy 
• Heart, Kiss, Sky 
• Dunk over the Crossbar 
• Windmill Dunk over the Crossbar 
• Layup over the Crossbar 
• Dance and Spike the ball 
• Brush Dirt off the Shoulders 
• Fake Toss the ball to Fans 
• Feed Me 
• Gangnam Style 
• Teammates pat the Players Helmet 
• Hush Finger to fans 
• Jump up and Flex
•  Jump up after a Tackle 
• Kick ‘em off the Field 
• Kiss to the Sky 
• Place the Ball and Crossed Arms Pose 
• Place the Ball and Flex Pose 
• Point to the Fans 
• Pray and Point to the Sky 
• Punch and Flex 
• The Robot 
• Power Spike the Ball 
• Spin the Football on the nose 
• Three various Swagger Dances 
• Through the Legs Jumpshot… Nothing but net

How to showboat in Madden 25

Showboating isn’t a new feature, but it’s another way of demonstrating player personality – albeit a much more risky one. You can use this feature to taunt opponents when the ball is still live, such as waving it in the air while headed to the end zone. But it’s risky, as it slows your player down – and you’ll feel like a plank if it enables a defender to bring the ball carrier down. Your call, though. 

To showboat, hold LT (Xbox) or L2 (PlayStation) then press A or X, depending on your console. In the market for more NFL help? Check out GR’s Madden 25 tips, Madden 25 rookie ratings and Madden 25 X-Factors guides, all of which will appear here shortly.

You've played Madden 25 before, even if you don't realize you've played Madden 25 before. EA Sports released an NFL sim under that exact same name back in 2013, to mark the series' 25th anniversary. There are bound to be a string of players who believe that it hasn't changed much in 12 years. Which isn't the case – PS5 and Xbox Series X Madden is many moons ahead of its two-gen-old counterpart. Yet it still fails to trigger the same highs as this esteemed series did during its heyday.

Part of the problem is a newly reincarnated sibling. After more than a decade away, the NCAA franchise returned in July – and as I noted in our College Football 25 review, that game is packed with joy. From outrageous playbooks, to wild shootouts, to marching bands and dancing mascots, to a recruiting model in dynasty mode that is nigh-on impossible to pull yourself away from. It's everything a Gridiron sim should be. Madden 25 actually plays a more accomplished game of football, in certain regards, such as O-line blocking. Yet the overall feeling is one of sterility.

Serious talk

Perhaps this is a reflection on the current state of the real NFL. Madden is hugely functional, but it isn't always fun. Touchdowns, field goals, interceptions: all the key elements of football are present and correct, but they seldom have you leaping around the room with joy, despite the addition of player-specific celebrations, and entire defensive units coming together to whoop over a pick six. These moments are just… there. And as these are the sport's pinnacle highs, it means all the other tweaks made this year don't do quite enough.

There are myriad tweaks, and many of them succeed. Attempts have been made to bolster the engine, which received justified stick during our Madden 24 review. Boom Tech is a daft name for the new tackling mechanic, but it does make one-to-one takedowns feel less scripted, with a greater sense of physics to each outcome. Momentum, timing, and size all matter – get Derrick Henry up against a safety and even a clean grasp is unlikely to stop him falling forward two yards. Similarly, new catching animations show up early and often, aiding you with sideline throws (about time!) and deep shots to the far pylon. Nice.

Dedicated players are smartly rewarded in ways that casuals likely won't notice. You might not care for new pre-snap pass-blocking assignments, such as Half-Slide Right or Left, but they do lead to your linemen and backs picking up blitzes more effectively. On the other side of the ball, Cover 2 and Cover 3 schemes are more reliable – in previous editions I've always had to use man defense against 3rd and long, but zones feel less terrifying this year. Also, blink-and-miss-'em animations showing players making specific preplay adjustments are one of the series' greatest touches ever. In theory you could read individual intentions just by monitoring these animations, which is a staggering detail.

College Football 25's kicking mechanic, stopping a horizontal meter for accuracy, then a vertical one for power, is implemented here and makes field goals difficult for the first time in forever. Finally there's a sense of risk to settling for a 45-yard try on the last play of the game – providing one of the few moments when you do erupt off the sofa. EA also does its best to get around the mind-bending new rule regarding kick-offs. Onside kicks are outlawed until the fourth quarter now, so instead you have the option to kick deep for a touchback, place the ball to trigger a return, or squib. It's a passable selection, but the real NFL has done its development studio no favors in removing one of the sport's most exciting plays.

Inevitably, the place EA most wants you to experience all this is within Ultimate Team. While its pack-pushing heaviness warrants the same criticism as always, there's much to like. Indeed, its best bit – taking on challenges to earn stars and build towards rewards – often keeps you immersed for longer than actual matches do, especially with new Epic Challenges to contend with. (Such as overturning a 17-point second-quarter deficit on hard difficulty.) Pack openings are swish, the team-building UI looks neater, and the promise of 6-on-6 mini-matches should add a new dimension. Still, if you've always despised the concept, it's not going to win you over.

Ultimate alternatives

Mercifully, there are other options in play, such as Superstar mode. There's a real sense of satisfaction to performing well at the mini-game-packed scouting combine, and having Roger Goddell announce your name in the draft. My boy, Ben Green, went in the second round to the Titans, and I did feel legitimately excited to get a personal welcome from Brian Callahan. Performance-driven quests to unlock abilities and gear stretch the focus beyond gaining yards and scoring touchdowns, to the point that just an accurate blocking assignment sometimes sparks an endorphin rush. See, Madden 25 does conjure some real highs. Just not always in conventional places.

That's certainly true of franchise mode. Insurmountable during the series' PS2 years, it's mostly forgettable now. In part, again, because of the new kid on the block. There's no way Madden could compete with College Football 25's electric recruiting model because it's not how the system works in the NFL. A new 'draft night' experience, once more starring Goddell and with the main board updating in real time, is very cool – but naturally only occurs once per season. The other way of building your roster, via free agency, just feels drab. Work out player demands, cycle through the necessary menus and panels, move on to the next guy if you miss out… there should be a real buzz to this. Alas, it isn't there.

It's a curious time for this once sublime series. Fan feedback is being acted on. With commentary duo Brandon Gaudin and Charlies Davis getting stale, EA adds not one but two crews. Mike Tirico and Greg Olsen are likably chill, Kate Scott and Brock Huard a touch more intense. Good moves. Stats screens during Franchise and Superstar are smartly detailed, and hearing classic tracks from Madden games of yesteryear echoing around stadiums is clever. Again, good moves – and Madden 25 is a good game. But it isn't a great one. And with a more fun football experience now housed in the same building, it's tough to see how that changes anytime soon.

Madden 25 was reviewed on PS5, with code provided by the publisher.

The Madden 25 best players list and 99 Club got two Super Bowl combatants right – but neither lifted the Lombardi Trophy. Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes both kicked off the Madden 25 season with the maximum possible rating, where they were joined by Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, and Trent Williams. However, it was Jalen Hurts – who didn't even make the top 50! – who steered his Eagles to glory. Relive the full list in GR's Madden 25 best players guide.

Madden 25 99 Club members

Five players made the Madden 25 99 Club at launch, and they’re all huge names with a Hall of Fame future. Cover athlete Christian McCaffrey is the first name on the list, alongside elite Chiefs duo Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Their former Kansas City team-mate Tyreek Hill joins them after another monster year in Miami, with 49ers tackle Trent Williams rounding out the awesome five-some.

The Top 50 Madden 25 player ratings

The Madden 25 best players list is as follows – and correct as of Friday, August 9. Prefer your football varsity flavoured? Then instead check out our College Football 25 tips and College Football 25 best teams guides.

• 1 Christian McCaffrey (HB, San Francisco) - 99
• 2 Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City) - 99
• 3 Travis Kelce (TE, Kansas City) - 99
• 4 Trent Williams (LT, San Francisco) - 99
• 5 Tyreek Hill (WR, Miami) - 99
• 6 Justin Jefferson (WR, Minnesota) - 98
• 7 Lamar Jackson (QB, Baltimore) - 98
• 8 Micah Parsons (RE, Dallas) - 98
• 9 Myles Garrett (RE, Cleveland) - 98
• 10 Chris Jones (DT, Kansas City) - 97
• 11 Fred Warner (MLB, San Francisco) - 97
• 12 George Kittle (TE, San Francisco) - 97
• 13 Jessie Bates III (FS, Atlanta) - 97
• 14 Maxx Crosby (LE, Las Vegas) - 97
• 15 Sauce Gardner (CB, New York Jets) - 97
• 16 TJ Watt (LOLB, Pittsburgh) - 97
• 17 Zack Martin (RB, Dallas) - 97
• 18 CeeDee Lamb (WR, Dallas) - 96
• 19 Jalen Ramsey (CB, Miami) - 96
• 20 Nick Bosa (LE, San Francisco) - 96
• 21 Nick Chubb (HB, Cleveland) - 96
• 22 Penei Sewell (RB, Detroit) - 96
• 23 AJ Brown (WR, Philadelphia) - 95
• 24 Amon-Ra St Brown (WE, Detroit) - 95
• 25 Dexter Lawrence II (DT, New York Giants) - 95
• 26 Lane Johnson (RT, Philadelphia) - 95
• 27 Patrick Surtain II (CB, Denver) - 95
• 28 Roquan Smith (MLB, Baltimore) - 95
• 29 Tyron Smith (LT, New York Jets) - 95
• 30 Antoine Winfield Jr (FS, Tampa Bay) - 94
• 31 Chris Lindstrom (RB, Atlanta) - 94
• 32 Davante Adams (WR, Las Vegas) - 94
• 33 Derrick Henry (HB, Baltimore) - 94
• 34 Laremy Tunsil (LE, Houston) - 94
• 35 Mark Andrews (TE, Baltimore) - 94
• 36 Quinnen Williams (DJ, New York Jets) - 94
• 37 Tristan Wirfs (LT, Tampa Bay) - 94
• 38 Frank Ragnow (C, Detroit Lions) - 93
• 39 Ja’Marr Chase (WR, Cincinnati) - 93
• 40 Jaire Alexander (CB, Green Bay) - 93
• 41 Joe Burrow (QB, Cincinnati) - 93
• 42 Minkah Fitzpatrick (FS, Pittsburgh) - 93
• 43 Creed Humphrey (C, Kansas City) - 92
• 44 Demario Davis (MLB, New Orleans) - 92
• 45 Josh Allen (QB, Buffalo) - 92
• 46 Justin Madubuike (LE, Baltimore) - 92
• 47 L’Jarius Sneed (CB, Tennessee) - 92
• 48 Saquon Barkley (HB, Philadelphia) - 92
• 49 Stefon Diggs (WR, Houston) - 92
• 50 Terron Armstead (LT, Miami) - 92

Our Madden 25 guide is the key to keeping your team’s season alive, even if their Super Bowl chances died weeks ago. On the digital turf, even the Patriots and Jaguars still have a shot at winning it all – and below are all the tools you need to enhance their, and your, chances. From the best teams and players to celebrations and sliders, you can find it all GR’s Madden 25 guide.

Review

It might not be in the same league as little bro College Football 25, but there are still elements to like in this year’s NFL sim. Run blocking, sideline catches, and a much-improved Ultimate Team experience are some of the plus points to be found in our Madden 25 review.

Gameplay

Tips

It mightn’t scale the same heights as its heyday, but there are plenty of welcome nuances to be found within this edition of EA’s longstanding NFL series. Get the inside scoop on Custom Stems, the switch stick, and classic tracks from yesteryear with our round up of essential Madden 25 tips.

Best teams

EA didn’t quite get things right with the default Madden 25 best teams list. Sure, the Chiefs were up there – but they were tied for top spot with the San Francisco 49ers, who went on to muster an xxx record and missed out on the playoffs completely. Oops!

Best players

The Madden 25 best players list reads like a who’s who of contemporary greats. Five players, including Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, kicked off the season in the 99 Club, whole other stars on both real and digital turf include Lamar Jackson and Justin Jefferson.

Rookie ratings

Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers smashed records en route to one of the greatest debut seasons on record, and EA saw it coming – he was third on the Madden 25 rookie ratings list. Only Chargers tackle Joe Alt and Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison ranked higher to start the campaign.

X-Factors

Ratings are important, but Madden 25 X-Factors and Superstars abilities make the game’s elite players feel truly unique. For instance, Lamar Jackson has Truzz, meaning he can’t fumble as the result of a tackle. Hit that link to see them all in one place.

Celebrations

Incredibly, Madden 25 celebrations are a complete new feature – never before have we been able to bust out moves made famous by specific players after a TD or interception. Colin Kaepernick’s bicep kiss, Cam Newton’s ball flip and Deion Sanders’ Primetime dance are among the cool moves on show.

Best playbooks

The variety on offer here might not match that found in College Football 25, but there’s still plenty of tactical depth to be found for those who don’t just want to sling Hail Marys on every play. Whack this link for the five Madden 25 best playbooks on offense, and two great defensive ones, too.

Sliders

Madden 25 sliders are one of the most underrated mechanics to be found in the game. By changing parameters such as penalties, QB accuracy and pass coverage, you can make the experience more authentic – or difficult. Our set, found at that link, aims to do a bit of both.

Madden 25 preorders are appearing in the wild, with a physical Standard edition priced at $69.99 / £69.99 and a digital Deluxe edition coming in at $99.99 / £99.99. There are plenty of preorder bonuses to take advantage of here, so if you’re after that sweet XP boost it’s time to get your name on the list. 

In the US, I’d be heading to Best Buy for the standard edition. You’ll find the same $69.99 price here as you would elsewhere, but the retailer is also throwing in a free $10 gift card. That’s the best value on the web right now, with release day pickup also included as a delivery option. If it’s speedy shipping you’re after, Amazon’s your best bet. 

Over in the UK, The Game Collection has the lowest price right now. Madden 25 preorders are going for £59.95 (usually £69.99) over there, with free UK delivery included. That’s a solid deal - we usually see retailers dropping the price of the actual preorder only to inflate it back up again with high shipping fees. However, there’s no mention of how quickly The Game Collection will get your game to you. If it’s speed you’re after, we’d stick with Amazon instead.

The Deluxe Edition is currently available to preorder directly from EA. Both the US and UK can grab the full package for PS5, Xbox, or PC (Steam / Epic) or double down and add a copy of EA Sports College Football for a discounted $139.99 / £139.99 rate. 

Madden 25 preorders in the US

Madden 25 preorders in the UK

 Madden 25 preorder bonuses explained 

So what do you get for parting with your cash ahead of time? You’ll find included bonuses for both the Madden 25 Standard and Deluxe edition preorders just below. 

Standard Edition

•  Christian McCaffrey Elite Player Item 
•  Choice of two Strategy Items 
•  Superstar Drip Gear 
•  Legendary XP Boost

Deluxe Edition

•  Christian McCaffrey Elite Player Item 
•  Choice of two Strategy Items 
•  Superstar Drip Gear 
•  Legendary XP Boost
•  3 days early access 
•  Early access Ultimate Team Challenges 
•  4,600 Madden points 
•  AKA Player Item 

We’re rounding up plenty more cheap PS5 games, or take a look at the latest cheap Nintendo Switch game deals for something more portable. We’re also helping you find the best Assassin’s Creed: Shadows preorder.  

Madden 24 X-Factors deliver a little good news to Eagles fans, despite it being the Chiefs who lifted this year's Lombardi Trophy. Three of their players in Madden 24 are newly minted with X-Factor status, including Jalen Hurts. Here we explain what all the X-Factors do, and take you through the list of pros with either X-Factor or Superstar designations. This is GR's comprehensive Madden 24 X-Factors guide.

The Madden 24 X-Factors player list

Below are all the players with an X-Factor in Madden 24. Most of these players also feature prominently on the Madden 24 overall ratings list. It's an especially big year for Josh Allen, having also won the Madden 24 cover vote.

• BENGALS: Joe Burrow (QB) – Run & Gun
• BENGALS: Ja’Marr Chase (WR)  – Double Me
• BILLS: Josh Allen (QB) – Bazooka
• BILLS: Stefon Diggs (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• BILLS: Von Miller (RE) – Fearmonger
• BILLS: Tre’Davious White (CB) – Shutdown
• BRONCOS: Patrick Surtain II (CB) – Shutdown
• BROWNS: Nick Chubb (RB) – Wrecking Ball
• BROWNS: Myles Garrett (RE) – Unstoppable Force
• BUCCANEERS: Mike Evans (WR) – Double Me
• BUCCANEERS: Lavonte David (MLB) – Run Stuffer
• CHARGERS: Austin Ekeler (HB) – Wrecking Ball
• CHARGERS: Keenan Allen (WR) – Max Security
• CHARGERS: Joey Bosa (LOLB) – Unstoppable Force
• CHARGERS: Derwin James Jr (SS) – Reinforcement
• CHIEFS: Patrick Mahomes (QB) – Bazooka
• CHIEFS: Travis Kelce (TE) – Double Me
• CHIEFS: Chris Jones (DT) – Momentum Shift
• COLTS: DeForest Buckner (DT) – Unstoppable Force
• COMMANDERS: Terry McLaurin (WR) – Ankle Breaker
• COMMANDERS: Jonathan Allen (DT) – Momentum Shift
• COWBOYS: Micah Parsons (RE) – Unstoppable Force
• DOLPHINS: Tyreek Hill (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• DOLPHINS: Janel Ramsey (CB) – Bottleneck
• EAGLES: Jalen Hurts (QB) – Run & Gun
• EAGLES: AJ Brown (WR) – Max Security
• EAGLES: Darius Slay Jr (CB) – Shutdown
• 49ERS: Christian McCaffrey (HB) – Ankle Breaker
• 49ERS: George Kittle (TE) – Yac ‘Em Up
• 49ERS: Fred Warner (MLB) – Zone Hawk
• 49ERS: Nick Bosa (RE) – Relentless
• 49ERS: Deebo Samuel (WR) – Yac 'Em Up
• GIANTS: Saquon Barkley (HB) – First One Free
• GIANTS: Dexter Lawrence (DT) – Blitz
• PACKERS: Jaire Alexander (CB) – Shutdown
• RAIDERS: Josh Jacobs (HB) – Wrecking Ball
• RAIDERS: DaVante Adams (WR) – Double Me
• RAIDERS: Maxx Crosby (LOLB) – Relentless
• RAMS: Aaron Donald (RE) – Blitz
• RAMS: Cooper Kupp (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• RAVENS: Lamar Jackson (QB) – Truzz
• RAVENS: Mark Andrews (TE) – Rac ‘Em Up
• RAVENS: Roquan Smith (MLB) – Reinforcement
• SAINTS: Demario Davis (MLB) – Reinforcement
• SEAHAWKS: DK Metcalf (WR) – Double Me
• STEELERS: TJ Watt (LOLB) – Unstoppable Force
• STEELERS: Cameron Heyward (RE) – Fearmonger
• TITANS: Derrick Henry (HB) – Freight Train
• VIKINGS: Justin Jefferson (WR) – Double Me

The full Madden 24 X-Factors list

These are the Madden 24 X-Factors assigned to the above players. Sadly, you won't find any of these assigned to those on the Madden 24 rookie ratings list just yet. 

• Ankle Breaker: High fakeout rate on skill moves following the catch
• Avalanche: Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles
• Bazooka: Max throwing distance increased
• Blitz: On-field blockers have their resistance bars wiped
• Blitz Radar: Highlights extra blitzes
• Bottleneck: Dominantly win man press attempts
• Dots: Grants perfect passing on any throw
• Double Me: Wins aggressive catches vs single coverage
• Escape Artist: Improved scrambling speed when leaving the pocket
• Fearmonger: Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker
• First One Free: High fakeout rate on next juke, spin, or hurdle
• Freight Train: Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
• Max Security: High success rate on possession catches
• Momentum Shift: On field opponents have their zone progress wiped
• Pro Reads: Highlights the first open target and ignores pressure
• Rac ‘Em Up: Wins RAC catches
• Relentless: Rush moves no longer cost points
• Reinforcement: Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
• Run & Gun: Player has perfect accuracy when entering the zone
• Run Stuffer: Block shedding is more effective vs run plays
• Satellite: Wins RAC possession catches vs single coverage
• Shutdown: Tighter coverage & more interceptions on contested catches
• Unstoppable Force: Pass rush wins lead to quicker block shedding
• Truzz: Can’t fumble as a result of a tackle
• Wrecking Ball: High success rate on trucks and stiff arms
• Yac ‘Em Up: Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle
• Zone Hawk: More interceptions in zone coverage

All Madden 24 Superstars

Superstars don’t have X-Factor abilities, but are still blessed with skills that outperform their stats. These are all the ones found in Madden 24 at launch. Still need help choosing who to control? Then take a peek at the Madden 24 best teams list.

• BEARS: DJ Moore (WR)
• BENGALS: Tee Higgins (WR)
• BILLS: Micah Hyde (FS)
• BILLS: Jordan Poyer (SS)
• BRONCOS: Justin Simmons (FS)
• BROWNS: Amari Cooper (WR)
• BROWNS: Wyatt Teller (RG)
• BROWNS: Za'Darius Smith (LE)
• BUCCANEERS: Tristan Wirfs (RT)
• BUCCANEERS: Ryan Jensen (C)
• BUCCANEERS: Vita Vea (DT)
• BUCCANEERS: Shaquil Barrett (LOLB)
• BUCCANEERS: Chris Godwin (WR)
• CARDINALS: Budda Baker (SS)
• CHARGERS: Justin Herbert (QB)
• CHARGERS: Mike Williams (WR)
• CHARGERS: Khalil Mack (ROLB)
• COLTS: Jonathan Taylor (HB)
• COLTS: Quenton Nelson (LG)
• COMMANDERS: Chase Young (LE)
• COWBOYS: Dak Prescott (QB)
• COWBOYS: CeeDee Lamb (WR)
• COWBOYS: Tyron Smith (LT)
• COWBOYS: Zack Martin (RG)
• COWBOYS: Trevon Diggs (CB)
• COWBOYS: Stephon Gilmore (CB)
• DOLPHINS: Terron Armstead (LT)
• DOLPHINS: Jaylen Waddle (WR)
• EAGLES: Dallas Goedert (TE)
• EAGLES: Jason Kelce (C)
• EAGLES: Lane Johnson (RT)
• EAGLES: Fletcher Cox (DT)
• EAGLES: Haason Reddick (LOLB)
• FALCONS: Kyle Pitts (TE)
• FALCONS: Calais Campbell (RE)
• FALCONS: AJ Terrell Jr (CB)
• FALCONS: Jessie Bates III (FS)
• FALCONS: Younghoe Koo (K)
• 49ERS: Trent Williams (LT)
• JAGUARS: Trevor Lawrence (QB)
• JAGUARS: Brandon Scherff (RG)
• JETS: Aaron Rodgers (QB)
• JETS: Mekhi Becton Sr (RT)
• JETS: Quinnen Williams (DT)
• JETS: Sauce Gardner (CB)
• LIONS: Amon-Ra St Brown (WR)
• PACKERS: Aaron Jones (HB)
• PACKERS: David Bakhtiari (LT)
• PACKERS: Kenny Clark (DT)
• PACKERS: Rashan Gary (LOLB)
• PANTHERS: Brian Burns (DE)
• PATRIOTS: Matthew Judon (LOLB)
• RAIDERS: Daniel Carlson (K)
• RAIDERS: Chandler Jones (ROLB)
• RAVENS: Ronnie Stanley (LT)
• RAVENS: Marlon Humphrey (CB)
• RAVENS: Justin Tucker (K)
• SAINTS: Alvin Kamara (HB)
• SAINTS: Cameron Jordan (LE)
• SAINTS: Marshon Lattimore (CB)
• STEELERS: Minkah Fitzpatrick (FS)
• STEELERS: Diontae Johnson (WR)
• TITANS: Kevin Byard (FS)
• TITANS: Jeffery Simmons (RE)
• VIKINGS: Harrison Smith (SS)
• VIKINGS: Danielle Hunter (LOLB)

How social media scoffed at the Madden 24 best teams list at launch – and how EA had the last laugh. The top roster in Madden 24 on day one was the Kansas City Chiefs, and they ultimately justified that status with another Super Bowl win. The devs didn't get everything right though, with Philly in second place and Joe Burrow's Bengals at number four. Below we use the default ratings to profile the five best franchises, and the worst two – along with the complete Madden 24 team ratings list. 

1 Kansas City Chiefs - 92

The Bills entered last season as many experts’ pick to claim the AFC Championship. Pat Mahomes (QB, 99) and Travis Kelce (TE, 99) had something to say about that – outlasting their rivals in blue to claim a second Lombardi trophy in four years. Mahomes is almost impossible to defend both in the air and on foot, while main runner Isiah Pacheco (HB, 80) has developed into one of the league’s most elusive running backs. You’ll face constant headaches against the Chiefs online – so may have to adopt the ‘can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’ approach.

2 Philadelphia Eagles - 91

There’s plenty to get pumped for in Philly, despite falling short in February’s Super Bowl. Like Mahomes, Jalen Hurts’ (QB, 88) dual-threat abilities make him a thrill to handle in Madden 24. AJ Brown (WR, 91) brings a big body and safe hands, DeVonta Smith (WR, 87) adds masses of after-the-catch ability, and trading for D’Andre Swift (HB, 81) gives the Eagles two very different, yet potentially deadly, threats behind the line of scrimmage. Nick Sirianni’s innovative playbook offers myriad variety, too. These guys could easily have been number one – and there’s a chance they finish the season that way.

3 Buffalo Bills - 90

In third place we find the Madden 24 cover vote winner. Bills quarterback Josh Allen (QB, 94) scored that honor this year, ensuring he’s a deadly threat both online and off. Stefon Diggs (WR, 96) and Gabe Davis (WR, 83) help Allen out with super glue hands, while new signing Damien Harris (HB, 79) adds a powerful alternative to key rusher James Cook (HB, 75). Von Miller (RE, 94), Ed Oliver (DT, 81), Jordan Poyer (SS, 90) and Micah Hyde (FS, 89) should make plenty of big plays on D, too.

4 Cincinnati Bengals - 89

Cinci has proven itself as a play-off heavyweight over the past two seasons, and the 2023-24 campaign may well see them go deep into January yet again. That’s reflected in high individual ratings for the likes of Joe Burrow (QB, 95), Ja’Marr Chase (WR, 94), and Joe Mixon (HB, 87). While those guys make for a dangerous offense, there are playmakers on D too – such as DJ Reader (DT, 87) and fellow lineman Trey Hendrickson (RE, 87).

5 Dallas Cowboys - 88

The Cowboys are widely seen as the NFL’s Marmite team - you either love them, or love to hate them. A top five placing this year is likely to increase that divide on social media. Right guard and 99 Club member Zack Martin is the standout player on the roster, rivalled only by Micah Parsons (RE, 97). QB Dak Prescott starts the campaign with an 87 OVR, although back-up Cooper Rush can consider himself harshly treated. In 2022 he became the first ever Cowboys signal-caller to win his first five starts. His reward from EA? An overall rating of 65. Ouch.

The two Madden 23 worst teams

31 Los Angeles Rams - 73

Well, this is quite the fall from grace. The Rams kicked off the Madden 23 best teams list in 3rd place, only outdone by Tampa Bay and Buffalo. Ahead of Madden 24, they’re relegated all the way down to 31st. Oof. There are some signs of hope, such as sack machine Aaron Donald (RE, 99) – who tops the Madden 24 overall ratings – and ball magnet Cooper Kupp (WR, 96), but you’re going to struggle against the teams featured above if you go to war in yellow and blue. It’s especially tough news for Matthew Stafford, with the veteran QB starting this season on a lowly OVR of 75. 

32 Arizona Cardinals - 72

If there’s a glimmer of cheer for Rams fans, it’s that they’re not the worst team in the NFC West, according to EA’s data digitisers. That 'honor' belongs to the Cards. Budda Baker (SS, 90) is the team’s top-scoring player, but they only have four others rated 80 or above: Marquise Brown (WR, 84), Zach Ertz (TE, 83), Isaiah Simmons (SS, 81) and Rondale Moore (WR, 80). There is a shred of positivity on the Madden 24 rookie ratings list: a 77 OVR for new offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr.

Madden 24 complete team ratings list

• 1 Kansas City Chiefs 92
• 2 Philadelphia Eagles 91
• 3 Buffalo Bills 90
• 4 Cincinnati Bengals 89
• 5 Dallas Cowboys 88
• 6= Baltimore Ravens 87
• 6= Cleveland Browns 87
• 8= San Francisco 49ers 86
• 8= Miami Dolphins 86
• 10= Los Angeles Chargers 85
• 10= Minnesota Vikings 85
• 12= New York Jets 84
• 12= Jacksonville Jaguars 84
• 14= Detroit Lions 83
• 14= Seattle Seahawks 83
• 16= New Orleans Saints 82
• 16= New England Patriots 82
• 16= New York Giants 82
• 19= Tampa Bay Buccaneers 81
• 19= Atlanta Falcons 81
• 19= Pittsburgh Steelers 81
• 22= Denver Broncos 80
• 22= Washington Commanders 80
• 22= Carolina Panthers 80
• 25= Las Vegas Raiders 79
• 25= Green Bay Packers 79
• 27 Houston Texans 78
• 28 Indianapolis Colts 77
• 29 Chicago Bears 76
• 30 Tennessee Titans 74
• 31 Los Angeles Rams 73
• 32 Arizona Cardinals 72

It's critical to know the best Madden 24 playbooks if you've just picked up the game for a bargain price. Madden 24 marked the last year in the league for the fabled 'NE Coach' – AKA Bill Belichick – and his dink-and-dunk approach remains one of game's most reliable, despite the Patriots' struggles during that final campaign. We run down the five best offenses, along with two elite defenses, in your Madden 24 playbooks guide.

The best five Madden 24 offensive playbooks

Whether you want to slam the ball up the gut or throw for the end zone on every play, there’s a playbook to cater for your favored approach here.

Cincinnati Bengals

In-game label: CIN - Z. Taylor
Best for: From-the-hip gunslingers

Pass, pass, pass. If your Madden 24 tactic is to throw the ball to all corners – then down the middle, just for good measure – then the book of Bengals is utterly essential. Indeed, Joe Burrow slings the ball so often that it doesn’t bother with a single I-form set. Instead, every single play is run from either Singleback or Shotgun. Empty Flex Trey is especially tempting, with one tight end and four wide receivers at your disposal. It’s a playbook befitting of the fourth-placed roster on the Madden 24 best teams list.

New York Jets

In-game label: NYJ - R. Saleh
Best for: A balanced run-pass option

After 18 years in a Green Bay Packers uniform, Aaron Rodgers is a Jet. The team’s playbook has been adjusted as a result. There’s still a decent array of runs here, with three different I Form sets. But as beholds Rodgers’ reputation, it’s well suited to the arial game too. Notably, it’s the only Madden 24 playbook with the Gun Tight Offset TE set-up, so if you’re blessed with Travis Kelce or George Kittle in Ultimate Team, this is definitely a catalog of chaos to consider strongly.

San Francisco 49ers

In-game label: SF - K. Shanahan
Best for: Ground-and-pounders

Lining Deebo Samuel up behind center has given the 49era a mysterious, and incredibly effective, wrinkle over the last couple of seasons. That sneaky strategy is reflected in Madden 24, with two formations that replace a running back with a wide receiver. They’re called Shotgun Slot WR Backfield and Shotgun Deebo Package. It’s got plenty of traditional solid running plays too, making this the go-to run-first offense this year.

Philadelphia Eagles

In-game label: PHI - N. Sirianni
Best for: Those who love speedy QBs

Mobile quarterbacks have been on-trend in Madden going back to the Michael Vick era, and you can expect to see plenty of Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts and Madden 24 cover vote winner Josh Allen online this year. But what if you want to deploy one of these guys? Then Philly’s playbook is the one to roll with. It features seven Pistol sets to keep defenses on the back foot. Two more things to note: 1. The Indianapolis Colts playbook is identical, meaning exciting things for Madden 24 rookie ratings addition Anthony Richardson. 2. It’s a massive year for the Eagles when it comes to Madden 24 X-Factors, with Hurts, AJ Brown and Darius Slay Jr all upgraded to elite status.

New England Patriots

In-game label: NE Coach
Best for: Making the defense think

Bill Belichick is the master of dinking and dunking your way upfield, and that approach is accurately recreated in the Patriots playbook – even if his real name and likeness remain AWOL. This selection is full of runs up the middle, play-action passes, and screens – enabling you to quickly whizz the ball to a receiver, then rely on his speed to pick up yards. If you’re a time-of-possession freak, or someone who prefers a low-risk approach to driving downfield, then it’s perfect.

The best two Madden 24 defensive playbooks

Madden 24 is an offense-focused game, but getting your D strategy right is critical two. Master one of these formations to increase your sacks, picks and win percentage.

46 Defense

In-game label: 46
Best for: Every Madden player ever

Madden veterans swear by this one. It features a balanced mix of zone and man coverages, and you’ll have a great season in Madden if you spend some time learning its Nickel 3-3, Nickel 3-3 Cub, Big Nickel Over G and Dollar 3-2 sets. Blitz options are plentiful, and audible options can be a difference maker too. For instance, switching from Nickel 3-3 to Nickel 3-3 Cub at the line of scrimmage enables you to launch speedy safeties straight at the quarterback, or ball carrier.

Los Angeles Rams

In-game label: LAR - S. McVay
Best for: Flexibility and zone D

It’s not the best of years for fans of Sean McVay’s 2022 champs. Despite Aaron Donald topping the Madden 24 ratings, they’re the second worst team in this year’s game. Matt Stafford is hit especially hard, with an OVR of 75 to start the season. Thankfully there is a ray of hope in the form of this jack-of-all-trades playbook, which incorporates all three basic formations: 4-3, 3-4, and 4-4. That enables you to stay flexible throughout matches, and adjust due to game situations: blitzing heavily from a 4-3 when it’s close, but dropping men deep from a 3-4 if you have a significant lead. Note that this is the most zone-heavy Madden playbook, so if you like man coverage, stick to the 46 recommendation above.

Another year, another Madden to invest hundreds of hours into. Madden NFL 24 was officially revealed by EA in June 2023 with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen confirmed as the cover athlete the very same day. Better yet, pre-orders are now live meaning you can secure a copy in time for its release date.

Madden NFL 24 will be available in three different versions: Standard, Deluxe and EA Play Pro. It will also be available across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, so there's a lot to break down here. Additionally, each version has different bonuses with Deluxe and EA Play Pro even giving you early access to the game.

The good news is that anyone who picks up the game on a last-gen console – PS4 or Xbox One – will be able to upgrade to next-gen at no extra cost. Considering that the price of Madden NFL 24 is now $69.99/£59.99 across all platforms for the standard version, this is a little something. Pre-orders for Madden NFL 24 can be found at Amazon US now if you are after a quick reference.

For everything else, we are rounding up all the latest Madden NFL 24 pre-order deals that the web has to offer below. These will be regularly updated right up until its August 18th launch date, so keep checking back in for the best offers.  

• Madden NFL 24 Standard Edition - $69.99 / £59.99
• Madden NFL 24 Deluxe Edition - $99.99 / £89.99
• Madden NFL 24 EA Play - $14.99/£14.99 monthly or $99.99/£89.99 annual 

Where to pre-order Madden NFL

Where to pre-order Madden NFL 24 in the US

Where to pre-order Madden NFL 24 in the UK

Where to pre-order Madden NFL 24 Deluxe Edition

Where to pre-order Madden NFL 24 Deluxe Edition in the US

Where to pre-order Madden NFL 24 Deluxe Edition in the UK

How to get Madden NFL 24 via EA Play Pro

An EA Play Pro membership (via the EA app) gives you unlimited access to EA titles as soon as they release with lots of extra benefits and rewards for subscribing. There is also a library of deluxe edition games ready for playing, the chance to try out selected new-release games before launch for up to 10 hours of playtime which will then carry over if you purchase the game, alongside a 10% member discount on EA digital purchases. 

The membership cost for EA Play Pro is $14.99/£14.99 a month or $99.99/£89.99 a year. Anyone that is signed up will be able to access Madden NFL 24 Deluxe Edition on launch day. 

Madden NFL 24 Official Reveal Trailer

Today's best gaming deals

Tempted to make the upgrade to next-gen in time for Madden NFL 24? Here's where to find the best PS5 price and bundles as well as the latest Xbox Series X restock updates, so you can start playing games in no time. Alternatively, we've also rounded up the best cheap Nintendo Switch bundle deals that the web has to offer.

Kansas City didn't even make the Madden 23 best teams list to kick off the season – but Chiefs fans are laughing after Andy Reid and Pat Mahomes conquered all challengers. It was a different story for Tampa Bay and Buffalo. The NFC and AFC favourites topped the Madden 23 rankings back in August, but couldn't get it done out on the field. Our Madden 23 best teams list below is correct as of the game's launch date of Friday, August 19.

The top five best Madden 23 teams

1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 92

Despite being shockingly ousted from last year’s play-offs by the surging Bengals, the 2021 champs kicked off the season as Madden 23’s best team. Their 92-rated offense boasts the evergreen Tom Brady (QB, 97) behind center, throwing to Mike Evans (WR, 92) and protected by Tristan Wirfs (RT, 91). Vita Vea (DT, 93) and Lavonte David (MLB, 92) front an 85-rated defence, with special teams their only slight weakness. The Bucs score 75 in that department.

2 Buffalo Bills - 89

The Bills have still never won a Super Bowl, but EA reckoned they were the most likely AFC contender to do so this season. Joe Burrow disagreed. In Madden, they’re magnificently balanced on both sides of the ball, combining an 89-rated offense with their 88-rated D. You might assume Josh Allen (QB, 92) is their star player, but he’s actually third on the squad behind Stefon Diggs (WB, 95) and Tre’Davious White (CB, 93). Other defensive standouts alongside White include Von Miller (RE, 92), Micah Hyde (FS, 91) and Jordan Poyer (FS, 91). They score 77 on special teams.

3= Los Angeles Rams - 88

Last year's NFL champs had to make do with joint third on the Madden 23 best teams list. Individually, however, they have the talent to cause you endless headaches in online contents, with three players pushing towards perfection: Aaron Donald (RE, 99), Cooper Kupp (WR, 98), and Jalen Ramsey (CB, 98). Matthew Stafford (QB, 85) spearheads the Rams’ 85-rated offensive, while its defense earns an overall score of 88. Special teams wise, they score 76.

3= Green Bay Packers - 88

A painful special teams ratings for the cheeseheads, with a seriously sub-par 68. But any team with Aaron Rodgers (QB. 96) is going to threaten for60 minutes, and his 86-OVR attack is bolstered by David Bakhtiari (LT, 94), Aaron Jones (RB, 89) and Elgton Jenkins (RT, 85). The Pack score a collective total on 87 on D, with Jaire Alexander (CB, 94) and Adrian Amos (SS, 88) making them especially tough to overcome in the secondary.

5=. Baltimore Ravens - 87 / Los Angeles Chargers - 87

It’s impossible to separate this pair of AFC Conference Championship contenders in the fifth and final spot. The Ravens are a model of consistency. Only Mark Andrews (TE, 93) and Justin Tucker (K, 90) boast individual OVRs in the nineties, yet collectively the team totals 84 on offense, 85 on defense and 88 for special teams. LA can’t challenge that special teams rating, with a mediocre 73, but their 88-rated offense and 86-rated D make them slightly more tempting for those who aren’t fussed about punting and kicking. Derwin James (SS, 93) is the Bolts’ best player in Madden 23.

The two worst Madden 23 teams

31. New York Giants - 75

How wrong this turned out to be. The New York Jets were the worst team in Madden 22 with a lowly overall score of 72, but ascend to the lofty heights of 24th-equal this team around. Replacing them in the basement are the blue half of NYC. Individually the Giants have myriad players rated in the 80s, such as Saquon Barkley (HB, 86), Leonard Williams (RE, 83), Adoree’ Jackson (CB, 82) and Sterling Shepard (WR, 82). However, that’s not enough to prevent them from being lumbered with scores of 82 special teams (not bad), 74 offensive (ooof) and 68 defense (look away any time the ball gets thrown deep). 

32. Houston Texans - 74

Think the Giants sounded bad? It’s even worse news for residents of Houston. The Texans have just three players on the entire roster rated 80 or above: Laremy Tunsil (LT, 88), Brandon Cooks (WR, 87) and Steven Nelson (CB, 80). Quarterback is an especially challenging spot, with your choice of starter reduced to Davis Mills (71), Kyle Allen (63) or Jeff Driskel (60). Across the board Lovie Smith’s men score 71 on offense, 70 for defense, and 72 on special teams.

Madden 23 complete team ratings list

• 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 92
• 2 Buffalo Bills 89
• 3= Los Angeles Rams 88
• 3= Green Bay Packers 88
• 5= Baltimore Ravens 87
• 5= Los Angeles Chargers 87
• 7= Dallas Cowboys 86
• 7= Kansas City Chiefs 86
• 7= San Francisco 49ers 86
• 10= Philadelphia Eagles 85
• 10= Cincinnati Bengals 85
• 12= Arizona Cardinals 84
• 12= Cleveland Browns 84
• 12= Denver Broncos 84
• 15= Las Vegas Raiders 83
• 15= Miami Dolphins 83
• 17= Tennessee Titans 82
• 17= New Orleans Saints 82
• 17= Indianapolis Colts 82
• 20= Washington Commanders 81
• 20= New England Patriots 81
• 22= Minnesota Vikings 80
• 22= Pittsburgh Steelers 80
• 24= Carolina Panthers 79
• 24= New York Jets 79
• 26= Chicago Bears 78
• 26= Detroit Lions 78
• 28= Atlanta Falcons 77
• 28= Jacksonville Jaguars 77
• 30 Seattle Seahawks 76
• 31 New York Giants 75
• 32 Houston Texans 74

Madden 23 X-Factors keep the series playable long after the Super Bowl is over – which is great news for whoever comes up short in this year's huge Chiefs vs Eagles clash. These Madden 23 boosts are awarded to the game's best players to ensure the likes of Brady, Mahomes, Rodgers and Allen feel truly unique. Also important are Superstars, who score bonus skills despite falling short of Hall of Hame contention. Below we outline all the game's launch abilities and superstars, as well as the complete Madden 23 X-Factors player list.

The Madden 23 X-Factors player list

Below are all the players with an X-Factor in Madden 23.

• BENGALS: Joe Burrow (QB) – Run & Gun
• BILLS: Stefon Diggs (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• BILLS: Tre’Davious White (CB) – Shutdown
• BILLS: Von Miller (DE) – Fearmonger
• BILLS: Josh Allen (QB) – Bazooka
• BRONCOS: Russell Wilson (QB) – Blitz Radar
• BROWNS: Myles Garrett (DE) – Unstoppable Force
• BROWNS: Nick Chubb (RB) – Wrecking Ball
• BUCCANEERS: Tom Brady (QB) – Pro Reads
• BUCCANEERS: Lavonte David (MLB) – Run Stuffer
• BUCCANEERS: Mike Evans (WR) – Double Me
• CHARGERS: Khalil Mack (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
• CHARGERS: Keenan Allen (WR) – Max Security
• CHARGERS: Joey Bosa (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
• CHARGERS: Derwin James Jr (SS) – Reinforcement
• CHARGERS: Khalil Mack (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
• CHIEFS: Patrick Mahomes (QB) – Bazooka
• CHIEFS: Travis Kelce TE) – Double Me
• CHIEFS: Chris Jones (DT) – Momentum Shift
• COLTS: Darius Leonard (OLB) – Shutdown
• COLTS: DeForest Buckner (DT) – Unstoppable Force
• COLTS: Jonathan Taylor (HB) – Freight Train
• COMMANDERS: Terry McLaurin (WR) – Ankle Breaker
• COMMANDERS: Jonathan Allen (DT) – Momentum Shift
• COWBOYS: Dak Prescott (QB) – Blitz Radar
• COWBOYS: Micah Parsons (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
• DOLPHINS: Tyreek Hill (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• 49ERS: George Kittle (TE) – Yac ‘Em Up
• 49ERS: Fred Warner (MLB) – Zone Hawk
• 49ERS: Nick Bosa (DE) – Relentless
• 49ERS: Deebo Samuel (WR) – Yac 'Em Up
• PACKERS: Aaron Rodgers (QB) – Dots
• PACKERS: Jaire Alexander (CB) – Shutdown
• PANTHERS: Christian McCaffrey (HB) – Ankle Breaker
• RAIDERS: DaVante Adams (WR) – Double Me
• RAIDERS: Chandler Jones (OLB) – Fearmonger
• RAIDERS: Darren Waller (TE) – Yac ‘Em Up
• RAMS: Janel Ramsey (CB) – Bottleneck
• RAMS: Aaron Donald (DE) – Blitz
• RAMS: Bobby Wagner (MLB) - Avalanche
• RAMS: Cooper Kupp (WR) – Rac ‘Em Up
• RAVENS: Lamar Jackson (QB) – Truzz
• SAINTS: Tyrann Mathieu (SS) – Reinforcement
• SAINTS: Alvin Kamara (HB) – Satellite
• SAINTS: Cameron Jordan (DE) – Unstoppable Force
• SEAHAWKS: DK Metcalf (WR) – Double Me
• STEELERS: TJ Watt (OLB) – Unstoppable Force
• STEELERS: Cameron Heyward (DE) – Fearmonger
• TITANS: Derrick Henry (HB) – Freight Train
• VIKINGS: Dalvin Cook (HB) – First One Free
• VIKINGS: Justin Jefferson (WR) – Double Me

The full Madden 23 X-Factors list

These are the Madden 23 X-Factors assigned to the above players.

• Ankle Breaker: High takeout rate on skill moves following the catch
• Avalanche: Downhill hit-sticks force fumbles
• Bazooka: Max throwing distance increased
• Blitz: On-field blockers have their resistance bars wiped
• Blitz Radar: Highlights extra blitzes
• Bottleneck: Dominantly win man press attempts
• Dots: Grants perfect passing on any throw
• Double Me: Wins aggressive catches vs single coverage
• Escape Artist: Improved scrambling speed when leaving the pocket
• Fearmonger: Chance to pressure the QB while engaged with a blocker
• Freight Train: Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
• Pro Reads: Highlights the first open target and ignores pressure
• Freight Train: Increased chance to break the next tackle attempt
• Max Security: High success rate on possession catches
• Momentum Shift: On field opponents have their zone progress wiped
• Rac ‘Em Up: Wins RAC catches vs single coverage
• Relentless: Rush moves no longer cost points
• Reinforcement: Higher chance to defeat run blocks and disrupt catches
• Run & Gun: Player has perfect accuracy when entering the zone
• Run Stuffer: Block shedding is more effective vs run plays:
• Satellite: Wins RAC possession catches vs single coverage
• Shutdown: Tighter coverage & more interceptions on contested catches
• Unstoppable Force: Pass rush wins leaf to quicker block shedding
• Truzz: Can’t fumble as a result of a tackle
• Wrecking Ball: High success rate in trucks and stiff arms
• Yac ‘Em Up: Increased chance to break the first post-catch tackle
• Zone Hawk: More interceptions in zone coverage

All Madden 23 Superstars

Superstars don’t have X-Factor abilities, but are still blessed with skills that outperform their stats. These are all the ones found in Madden 23 at launch.

• BENGALS: Jessie Bates III (FS)
• BENGALS: Joe Mixon (HB)
• BENGALS: Ja’Marr Chase (WR)
• BILLS: Micah Hyde (FS)
• BILLS: Jordan Poyer (SS)
• BROWNS: Amari Cooper (WR)
• BROWNS: Wyatt Teller (RG)
• BUCCANEERS: Tristan Wirfs (RT)
• BUCCANEERS: Ryan Jensen (C)
• BUCCANEERS: Vita Vea (DT)
• BUCCANEERS: Shaquil Barrett (OLB)
• BUCCANEERS: Chris Godwin (WR)
• CARDINALS: JJ Watt (DE)
• CARDINALS: Budda Baker (SS)
• CARDINALS: Rodney Hudson (C)
• CARDINALS: Kyler Murray (QB)
• CHARGERS: JC Jackson (CB)
• CHARGERS: Austin Ekeler (HB)
• CHARGERS: Mike Williams (WR)
• CHARGERS: Justin Herbert (QB)
• COLTS: Quenton Nelson (LG)
• COLTS: Stephon Gilmore (CB)
• COMMANDERS: Chase Young (DE)
• COWBOYS: Zack Martin (RGH)
• COWBOYS: Tyron Smith (LT)
• COWBOYS: Ezekiel Elliott (HB)
• COWBOYS: Trevon Diggs (CB)
• COWBOYS: CeeDee Lamb (WR)
• DOLPHINS: Terron Armstead (LT)
• DOLPHINS: Xavien Howard (CB)
• EAGLES: Fletcher Cox (DT)
• EAGLES: Jason Kelce (C)
• EAGLES: Lane Johnson (RT)
• EAGLES: Darius Slay Jr (CB)
• FALCONS: Kyle Pitts (TE)
• FALCONS Cordarelle Patterson (HB)
• 49ERS: Trent Williams (LT)
• 49ERS: Deebo Samuel (WR)
• JAGUARS: Brandon Scherff (RG)
• JETS: Mekhi Becton (RT)
• PACKERS: David Bakhtiari (LT)
• PACKERS: Kenny Clark (DT)
• PANTHERS: Brian Burns (DE)
• PANTHERS: DJ Moore (WR)
• PATRIOTS: Devin McCourty (FS)
• PATRIOTS: Matthew Judon (OLB)
• RAMS: Matthew Stafford (QB)
• RAVENS: Ronnie Stanley (LT)
• RAVENS: Marlon Humphrey (CB)
• RAVENS: Calais Campbell (DE)
• RAVENS: Mark Andrews (TE)
• SAINTS: Michael Thomas (WR)
• SAINTS: DeMario Davis (MLB)
• SAINTS: Ryan Ramczyk (RT)
• SAINTS: Marshon Lattimore (CB)
• SEAHAWKS: Jamal Adams (SS)
• STEELERS: Minkah Fitzpatrick (FS)
• STEELERS: Myles Jack (MLB)
• STEELERS: Diontae Johnson (WR)
• TITANS: Kevin Byard (FS)
• TITANS: Jeffery Simmons (DE)
• VIKINGS: Harrison Smith (SS)
• VIKINGS: Eric Kendricks (MLB)
• VIKINGS: Za’Darius Smith (OLB)
• VIKINGS: Adam Thielen (WR)
• VIKINGS: Danielle Hunter (OLB)

Madden 23 developer Electronic Arts has confirmed that it may not be able to "restore" up to 60 per cent of players' franchise cloud save data following unscheduled downtime earlier this week. 

In a frank blog post published today, the team acknowledged that players who logged into the game from Wednesday, December 28 to Thursday, December 29, were given an "unavailable" error and may have had their files "corrupted".

Whilst players who didn't log in during this time are not impacted by the issue, the blog adds that up to 60 per cent of players who did log in during that period may now find that EA cannot recover their leagues at all. 

"First off, we are sorry that this happened," the team wrote. "We know how important your franchises are to you, and we are actively working on a fix to restore some files via a backup as soon as possible. 

"However, not all affected leagues can be restored. The team is currently projecting around 40 per cent of leagues to be recovered."

The blog post concludes by saying that more information will be available next week with an "updated timeline" that will communicate "the potential restoration of save files from a backup". In the meantime, players that did log in and have lost data are "encourage[d] to start a new franchise as the mode is up and running".

GamesRadar+'s Madden 23 review awarded the sports game three out of five stars, calling the series "stuck, and in dire need of revisiting its origins".

"No matter what the package says, this series is stuck, and in dire need of revisiting the reasons for its origins," we wrote at the time. 

"If the death of its cover star can’t ignite that spark, if two console generation change overs can’t, nothing likely will in the near term. This isn’t fun to write year after year either. Consider the pandemic, the rush to pay homage to John Madden, all while trying to revitalize the pass/run systems; empathy for the developers runs high. But it’s the same game. It really seems that way."

Here are all the new games of 2023 (and beyond).

Madden 23 rookie ratings remain under the microscope as we hit the halfway point of the NFL season. Whether you're playing Ultimate Team or franchise mode, these are players you can build around long-term in Madden 23 – and some of them, such as Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett, are already defying their in-game numbers. Below we profile this year’s most notable debutants, before taking you through ratings for the entire first round of the 2022 NFL draft class. This is your Madden 23 rookie ratings guide.

Travon Walker (LOLB, Jacksonville Jaguars)

The first overall pick gets a modest initial rating of 76, although Jacksonville fans are granted signs of encouragement. Walker boasts 88 Speed, 92 Acceleration, 88 Strength and 82 Ability: building blocks for a bright Madden future. Wondering how you can deploy him best? Then switch over to our Madden 23 tips rundown. 

Aidan Hutchinson (LOLB, Detroit Lions)

The Lions’ new ‘backer scores a strong 77 – although it’s not quite a best-in-class OVR. That honor is shared by Sauce Gardner (New York Jets), Jameson Williams (Detroit) and Jordan Davis (Philadelphia). They all boast a 78 rating, and will hope to the 80 via mid-season updates.

Kyle Hamilton (SS, Baltimore Ravens)

Safety is a key position in the Ravens’ ball-hawking defense, and 76-rated Hamilton looks poised to fit right in. 88 Speed and 86 Acceleration are going to be handy tools in motoring around the backfield, while 90 Jumping and 83 Hit Power should produce turnovers.

Treylon Burks (WR, Tennessee Titans)

The above three are all defenders, so how about Tennessee’s new receiver hope? Burks is already a threat over the top with 91 Acceleration and 89 Speed. His Catch rating is a middling 83, but 86 Change Of Direction ensures danger once in possession. Burks’ OVR is 73.

The complete NFL Draft R1 Madden 23 rookie ratings list

Below are the complete set of ratings for the 2022 draft class first round, correct as of the Madden 23 release date. Looking for veteran players instead? Then you need GR's Madden 23 ratings guide.

• 1 Travon Walker (LOLB, Jacksonville Jaguars) 76
• 2 Aidan Hutchison (LOLB, Detroit Lions) 77
• 3 Derek Stingley Jr (CB, Houston Texans) 77
• 4 Sauce Gardner (CB, New York Jets) 78
• 5 Kayvon Thibodeaux (ROLB, New York Giants) 75
• 6 Ikem Ekwonu (LT, Carolina Panthers) 76
• 7 Evan Neal (RT, New York Giants) 77
• 8 Drake London (WR, Atlanta Falcons) 75
• 9 Charles Cross (LT, Seattle Seahawks) 73
• 10 Garrett Wilson (WR, New York Jets) 76
• 11 Chris Olave (WR, New Orleans Saints) 76
• 12 Jameson Williams (WR, Detroit Lions) 78
• 13 Jordan Davis (DT, Philadelphia Eagles) 78
• 14 Kyle Hamilton (SS, Baltimore Ravens) 76
• 15 Kenyon Green (LG, Houston Texans) 72
• 16 Jahan Dotson (WB, Washington Commanders) 75
• 17 Zion Johnson (RG, Los Angeles Chargers) 73
• 18 Treylon Burks (WR, Tennessee Titans) 73
• 19 Trevor Penning (LT, New Orleans Saints) 72
• 20 Kenny Pickett (QB, Pittsburgh Steelers) 68
• 21 Trent McDuffie (CB, Kansas City Chiefs) 76
• 22 Quay Walker (MLB, Green Bay Packers) 73
• 23 Kaiir Elam (CB, Buffalo Bills) 73
• 24 Tyler Smith (LG, Dallas Cowboys) 70
• 25 Tyler Linderbaum (C, Baltimore Ravens) 74
• 26 Jermaine Johnson II (LE, New York Jets) 74
• 27 Devin Lloyd (MLB, Jacksonville Jaguars) 73
• 28 Devonte Wyatt (RE, Green Bay Packers) 73
• 29 Cole Strange (RG, New England Patriots) 70
• 30 George Karlaftis (LE, Kansas City Chiefs) 74
• 31 Daxton Hill (FS, Cincinnati Bengals) 75
• 32 Lewis Cine (FS, Minnesota Vikings) 75

Mastering a handful of Madden 23 playbooks is the best way to advance your coaching skills from Matt Rhule to Matt LaFluer. Welcome, then, to a Madden 23 guide which aims to do exactly that. It's sorted into three sections. The first concerns offense, the second defense, and the third on user-created playbooks, which you can download from the ‘Share & Manage Files’ menu. Ready to expand your game beyond Hail Marys and QB rollouts? Then your Madden 23 playbooks guide can begin.

The best five offensive playbooks

From Shotgun-heavy compendiums to sets focussed on the running game, these are the playbooks to consider if you want to torch opposition Ds.

NE: NE Coach

Want a pass-heavy playbook with minimal use for a full-back? Then New England is the best for you. It features 12 Shotgun formations and a further 7 Singleback ones. Only its three I-Form formations (Slot, Tight, and Z Close) utilise a second RB. Just make sure you use a pocket QB to make the most of it. Without that second body to protect you, you’ll be sacked repeatedly if you start haring around in the backfield.

KC: A. Reid

The Chiefs’ offensive gameplan in recent years has focussed on giving Pat Mahomes time and space to target options downfield, or keep the game alive with his legs. Inevitably, then, this playbook is all about the Shotgun plays. There are a staggering 19 Shotgun formations in total, most of them using a 1RB - 1TE - 3WR set-up. The lone outlier is Wing Flex Offset Wk (1RB - 2TE - 2WR). With your opponent focussed on long passes, be sure to mix in the Strong I Jumbo (2RB - 3TE - 0WR) occasionally too.

LAR: S. McVay

An astonishing playbook, in that every single formation is either Shotgun or Singleback. No I-Form, no formations using a second running back: Sean McVay’s Super Bowl champs are known for their offensive aggression and from that perspective this doesn’t disappoint. Shotgun Trips HB Wk is the one that poses the most questions for an opposition D, with a make-up of 1RB - 0TE - 4WR. Singleback Bunch X Nasty also lives up to its name, mixing in downfield routes with a couple of sneaky outs.

LV: J. McDaniels

Want to establish an old-fashioned running game, deploying two backs in order to grind out yards and wear defenses down? Then Josh McDaniels’ Raiders playbook is the one for you. It offers six formations with a 2RB - 1TE - 2WR set-up, across a standard I Form, Weak I, and Strong I. But there’s balance here too: 12 of its formations switch to a 1RB - 1TE - 3WR layout, delivering plenty of aerial choices should you fall behind. Old school, then, but not in a way that’ll prevent you turning round a 14-point deficit. Phew.

BAL: J. Harbaugh

Arguably the best playbook of the lot. Its passing formations enable you to make the most of a mobile, big-armed quarterback like Lamar Jackson, yet it’s brilliantly suited for a running game too – with 11 formations that double up on running backs. Imagine going from Pistol Weak I Slot Open (2RB - 0TE - 3WR) on first down, to Singback Wing Tight U (1RB - 3TE - 1WR) on second down, to Pistol Spread (1RB - 0TE - 4WR) on third. It’s a nightmare for defenses to keep up with, and should therefore be the first playbook you learn and master.

The best Madden 22 defensive playbooks

Offense wins matches, but defense wins titles. Or does it? Master these tactical approaches to find out for yourself.

NE: NE Coach

Yes, New England again. The Pats might have slipped out of Super Bowl contention since Tom Brady’s departure, but with Bill Belichick at the helm their Madden playbooks remain wonderfully unique. On D their playbook offers up options to confuse even the best QBs. Technically it’s based around a 3-4 set-up, but there are only three base formations: myriad other options include two 4-3 sets, three based in a Dime, and three more in the Nickel. Blitzers can be dispatched from all manner of surprise locations, making for a D that’s creative, fun, and effective too.

BUF: S. McDermott

Buffalo had the best D in the league in 2021, offering a stingy 4637 yards across the season. (New England was second, on 5284 – a difference of over 600.) As a result their playbook needs to be taken seriously, and it doesn’t disappoint. With five 4-3 sets it’s all about stuffing the run and hurrying opposition QBs, making it especially effective against AI teams in franchise mode. Online matches can be tougher, given how often human-controlled QBs go sprinting around behind the line of scrimmage, but a trio of handy Nickel sets offers help on that front.

The best Madden 23 created playbooks

To use these, choose Rosters & Playbooks, then Share & Manage Files, then Download Community Files. From here you’re presented with a stack of fan-created tactics for use on both sides of the ball. You can search for a specific playbook or username by using triangle (PlayStation) or Y (Xbox), or cycle through sorting categories such as Likes, Dislikes and Downloads using square (PlayStation) or X (Xbox).

Gorilla-DON: Custompan3

The most downloaded fan-made roster is ‘Custompan3’ by Gorilla-DON. It’s popular because it contains a little bit of everything: one Full House formation, one Pistol, three I-Form, one Strong I, one Weak I, 16 based in the Shotgun, and eight Singleback formations. So while your receivers are going to snag plenty of balls, there are cheeky routes for your tight ends and running backs sprinkled throughout too.

Fam4223: Miked

Creator fam4223 has produced the most popular defensive playbook, called Miked. It’s largely centered around 3-4 sets, with six in total – but there are two 4-3 formations, four Nickles, three Dimes and two Quarters at your disposal too. If you’re concerned about your secondary constantly being beaten deep in online matches, this is a really good starter playbook to get your head around.

Madden 23 ratings are under the microscope with the new NFL season underway. Live updates mean they'll change throughout the campaign, but Madden 23's launch saw Tom Brady spearhead the QB pack, while 99 ratings were awarded to Davante Adams, Trent Williams, Aaron Donald, and Myles Garrett. But who else shines this year? Below you’ll uncover the top five players at every position, in GR's Madden 23 ratings guide.

Tom Brady heads up the best Madden 23 quarterbacks

• 1 Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 97
• 2 Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay Packers) 96
• 3 Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs) 95
• 4 Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) 92
• 5 Joe Burrow (Cincinatti Bengals) 90

After losing top spot to Mahomes last year, Brady returns to top spot at the grand young age of 45. However, Denver Broncos signal-caller Russell Wilson disappears from the elite list altogether. His rating is down from 94 to 87. Despite his Super Bowl win, Matthew Stafford sits in 10th, with an OVR of 85.

The best Madden 23 RB is Derrick Henry

• 1 Derrick Henry (Tennessee Titans) 97
• 2= Christian McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers) 96
• 2= Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns) 96
• 4 Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) 95
• 5 Dalvin Cook (Minnesota Vikings)

Henry finally ploughs through to first place on the running backs list, switching places with last-year’s top guy McCaffrey. Chubb is in the identical spot to Madden 22, and with an identical rating, too. The top-rated full-back is 49ers machine Kyle Juszczyk, on 87.

New homes for two of the top Madden 23 WRs

• 1 Davante Adams (Las Vages Raiders) 99
• 2 Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams) 98
• 3 Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins) 97
• 4 DeAndre Hopkins (Arizona Cardinals) 96
• 5 Stefon Diggs (Buffalo Bills) 95

Kupp didn’t even make the top five 12 months ago, but thunders to second after being named Super Bowl MVP. It’s not enough to dethrone Adams, however. The Raiders’ new top wideout isn’t the only man headed somewhere new this season: Hill starts a new era in South Florida following his shock switch from Kansas City.

No more Gronk on the Madden 23 best TEs list

• 1 Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) 98
• 2 George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) 97
• 3 Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens) 93
• 4 Darren Waller (Oakland Raiders) 91
• 5 TJ Hockenson (Detroit Lions) 89

Rob Gronkowski’s retirement has less impact than you’d expect. Perhaps surprisingly, the Patriots legend didn’t appear here last season either. It was Kelce who triumphed then, as he does now – even if his spot in the 99 Club has been temporarily suspended.

Trent Williams fronts Madden 23’s top offensive linemen

• 1 Trent Williams (LT, San Francisco) 99
• 2 Zack Martin (RG, Dallas Cowboys) 98
• 3= Quenton Nelson (LG, Indianapolis Colts) 95
• 3= Tyron Smith (LT, Dallas Cowboys) 95
• 5 David Bakhtiari (LT, Green Bay Packers) 94

Watched The Blind Side? Then you know left tackle is the most important part of the O-line, so it’s natural that players in that position dominate this list. Madden 23’s best center is Corey Linsday (San Diego Chargers, 91), while its top right tackle is Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles, 92).

Two D-linemen make the Madden 23 99 Club

• 1 Aaron Donald (RE, Los Angeles Rams) 99
• 1= Myles Garrett (RE, Cleveland Browns) 99
• 3 Nick Bosa (RE, San Francisco 49ers) 94
• 4 Cameron Heyward (RE, Pittsburgh Steelers) 93
• 5 Vita Vea (DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 93

Donald was ridiculous on a weekly basis in 2021-22, again cementing his status as the best defensive player in the game. After claiming Super Bowl honours, another 99 rating was a no-brainer. The top-rated LE is New Orleans Saints’ Cameron Jordan, with an overall score of 91.

TJ Watt dominates the Madden 23 best linebackers list

• 1 TJ Watt (LOLB, Pittsburgh Steelers) 96
• 2 Fred Warner (MLB, San Francisco 49ers) 94
• 3 Demario Davis (MLB, New Orleans Saints) 93
• 4 Khalil Mack (ROLB, Los Angeles Chargers) 92
• 5 Lavonte David (MLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 92

This year’s linebacker corps is so strong that Bobby Wagner (MLB, Los Angeles Rams) and Joey Bosa (LOLB, Los Angeles Chargers) both sensationally miss out. They’re both rated 91. Watt blitzing his way to top spot sees Mack fall from number one, to number four.

Madden 23 CB rankings put Jalen Ramsey on top

• 1 Jalen Ramsey (Los Angeles Rams) 98
• 2 Jaire Alexander (Green Bay Packers) 94
• 3 Tre’davious White (Buffalo Bills) 93
• 4= Darius Slay Jr (Philadelphia Eagles) 92
• 4= Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns) 92

Like Chiefs tight-end Kelce, Ramsey is exiled from the 99 Club to start the season – although his deserved 98 OVR is still enough to maintain his place on the throne. Stephen Gilmore ran him a close second in Madden 22, but drops out of the fab five altogether following his move to Indianapolis.

Micah Hyde sneaks onto best Madden 22 safeties list

• 1 Tyrann Mathieu (SS, New Orleans Saints) 94
• 2 Derwin James Jr (SS, Los Angeles Chargers) 93
• 3= Budda Baker (SS, Arizona Cardinals) 92
• 3= Kevin Byard (FS, Tennessee Titans) 92
• 5= Justin Simmons (FS, Denver Broncos) 91
• 5= Micah Hyde (FS, Buffalo Bills) 91

Hyde returns to the elite list ahead of his tenth NFL season, matching Broncos tackle machine Simmons stride for stride. Above them, Mathieu clings on to his slot at the top of the pile, while James is a new face here after claiming 10 interceptions last season.

Justin Tucker is Madden 23’s best kicker

• 1 Justin Tucker (Baltimore Ravens) 90
• 2 Harrison Butker (Kansas City Chiefs) 94
• 3 Evan McPherson (Cincinatti Bengals) 83
• 4 Chris Boswell (Pittsburgh Steeelers) 82
• 4 Younghoe Hoo (Atlanta Falcons) 82

Evan McPherson’s post-season heroics drove Cincinnati all the way to the Super Bowl, so his ascent to third spot here is much deserved. Younghoe Koo is now a pillar of consistency too. But neither can topple the automatic leg of Ravens robo-boot Justin Tucker.

Commanders find their way onto the list at punter

• 1 AJ Cole III (Oakland Raiders) 84
• 2 Bryan Anger (Dallas Cowboys) 83
• 3 Johnny Hekker (Carolina Panthers) 82
• 3 Michael Dickson (Seattle Seahawks) 82
• 3 Tress Way (Washington Commanders) 82

Washington Commanders save their first ever appearance on this list for the very final entry, with Tress Way edging Logan Cooke (Jacksonville Jaguars, 81) and Jake Bailey (New England Patriots, 80) out of contention. It means both the Jags and Pats miss out on this feature completely.

Madden 23 tips are already proving useful at this early stage of the new season. With franchise mode tweaked again and Ultimate Team always packing surprises, we've rounded up the key Madden 23 intel below. There's also an explanation of sliders, a look at the new passing system, and other essential nuggets to steer you towards Gridiron glory. Bookmark GR’s Madden 23 tips guide to stay on course for a Hall of Fame year.

1. Use sliders to get the Madden that suits you

No Madden game is perfect but, instead of tossing the disc aside in a rage, there’s a simple way to help ‘fix’ any issues you might have.

For many Madden vets, this will feel as automatic as a Brady/Gronk touchdown – but it’s worth flagging all the same: head into the settings on the main menu (or in the Franchise menu) to bring up in-game sliders (from 1 to 100) that affect everything from QB accuracy to how tired players get. Practically every element of the game can be tinkered in some way.

Feel free to experiment while you’re under the hood, but we’d recommend upping the Fumbles rating on both CPU and Player Skill so they occur less frequently. Lowering the QB accuracy (to stop the CPU turning Mariota into Mahomes) and increasing the various specific penalty ratings will immediately make the game a less frustrating experience. Feel free to dial up the quarter length to around 9-10 minutes in Franchise mode, too, for a more realistic stat line.

It’s not an exact science, but it’s one that can alleviate a lot of headaches as you get used to the new game. In truth, it should be the first port of call for Madden users every year.

2. Don’t be afraid to try the new passing system

Change is good. Honest. In Madden 23, EA offers players three ways to pass: the classic method (which is the same as last year’s game), plus two skill-based passing control schemes: Placement and Power & Placement and Accuracy.

The latter two turn passing into a mini-game-of-sorts that requires your QB to hold down the power meter in the Power scheme or to get the timing right in a swing meter – not too dissimilar to field goals – for Accuracy. On top of that, there’s also a Free-Form Passing mode with L2/LT that lets receivers break off from their routes – perfect for busted coverage.

Our best advice is to get very comfortable with the new passing system(s) in the tutorials before going into gameday. Once you’re up to speed, the Accuracy mode in particular helps give a greater degree of freedom to your passing, and even makes curl routes a more viable option this year rather than the risky throw of recent years. Better yet, if you don’t click with the new system then you can go back to the tried-and-tested classic mode.

3. Don’t use up all your salary cap in the first season

It may be tempting to spend the big bucks to get your dynasty off to a quick start in Franchise Mode, but a subtle change to the financial system – to mirror real-life – means it pays to hold off on mega deals in the first season.

Cap space now rolls over to the second season. That gives you a perfect opportunity to hoover up Free Agents in the offseason. We’ve found Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow can be signed up in 2025 if you’re thinking about snagging a franchise QB a few seasons in with the spare cash.

4. Get to grips with Player Tags – and new motivations

Player Tags are one of the most important new features to come to Franchise Mode in years. In essence, these players will get a label – Day 1 Starter, Award Winner, Franchise QB, and so on – that helps shake up NFL teams and makes both yours and the AI’s roster builds far more realistic.

Mentor is one of the best Player Tags we’ve used so far. Having one (or more) on your team allows every player in that position to gain extra XP during weekly training. That, when coupled with the new motivations feature – a series of specific conditions from team prestige to location that can convince a player to sign during negotiations – makes building a complete roster far more challenging and satisfying this year.

5. Your first contract matters in Face of the Franchise

Face of the Franchise has changed in Madden 23. Instead of fighting for snaps as a rookie, you’re parachuted in as an automatic fifth-year free agent and starter. Of course, you can pick your favorite team but we’d recommend opting for whoever has the biggest signing bonus to begin with. More Rep, more points to play with when building your player from the jump – which is essential if you’re trying out the tricky new Cornerback position.

6. MUT Champions should be your Ultimate Team home – and you can play it whenever

Goodbye Weekend League, hello MUT Champions. Progress far enough in the new battle pass-style Competitive Pass and you’ll be able to snap a Champs Entry Token. Far from the sugar rush of a weekend binge of years past, MUT Champions gives you the freedom to play 25 games in a week across all seven days. It’s by far the best – and most fulfilling – method to get the big rewards early on MUT this year, so be sure to put all your hours into that when you can.

7. Mash the A/X button when running downhill

Tackle Battles – the act of mashing A (or X on PlayStation 4 and 5) when met with a conservative tackle – are back in Madden 23. When playing with big, burlier running backs, it should become second nature to start hammering on the button to drag your player on for those extra yards. It can be the difference between a crucial first down or going three-and-out.

If you’re struggling to stop a runner on the other side of the ball, you can use R2/RT at the line of scrimmage to sidestep a block and come in hard on whoever is carrying the football with a big hit stick tackle. Ordinary tackles will get punished more this year – and players can often slip free for big gains.

Opening weekend of the new season sees four players populate the Madden 23 99 Club. Many expected Cooper Kupp to join its ranks for Madden 23, but it hasn't happened yet – although live ratings mean that it could still occur later in the season, should his imperious Super Bowl form continue. What exactly is this curious society, and who’s in this year if Kupp misses out? All is explained in your Madden 23 99 Club guide..

What is the Madden 23 99 Club?

The Madden 23 99 Club refers to a set of players who have the maximum possible overall rating of 99. It generally pertains to exhibition and career mode, rather than Ultimate Team – where loads of past and present favorites are given souped-up cards across the season.

The Madden 22 version featured five players at launch: Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City), Travis Kelce (TE, Kansas City), Jalen Ramsey (CB, Los Angeles Rams), Aaron Donald (DE, Los Angeles Rams), and Devante Adams (WR, Green Bay Packers).

Who’s in the Madden 23 99 Club?

Only two of the above-named players make the super elite again this year – and one of those is now with a different team. Mahomes, Kelce and Ramsey all lose their prestigious spots, but the Madden 23 99 Club does add two replacements. It features four players in total. Let’s profile them all…

Aaron Donald (RE, Los Angeles Rams)

While one of LA’s defensive pillars (Ramsey) drops down to a 98 rating, Donald holds on to his 99 score after an explosive Super Bowl display. His in-game highlights include attributes of 99 Awareness, 99 Strength, 82 Speed and 90 Acceleration - monstrous for a defensive end.

Davante Adams (WR, Las Vegas Raiders)

Adams clings on to his 99 Club spot from last year despite moving from Wisconsin to Nevada. How will he do without Aaron Rodgers? Brilliantly, reckons EA. That means ratings of 99 Awareness, 99 Catching, 95 Agility, and 92 Speed. Good luck defending him online.

Myles Garrett (RE, Cleveland Browns)

The 99 Club gets a second elite pass rusher this year. Garrett’s skills are comparable to Donald’s in-game, with 98 Awareness, 96 Strength, 91 Acceleration and 88 Speed. Get the ball out quickly if you’re up against Cleveland in this year’s franchise mode.

Trent Williams (LT, San Francisco 49ers)

Planning on San Fran being your franchise team? There’s a tough choice to be made between Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo at QB. Either way, though, your blind side is well protected by William’s scores of 99 Awareness, 98 Strength, 98 Run Blocking and 93 Run Blocking.

Where can I see the full Madden 23 99 Club list?

Right here, although it’s not a read that will keep you up for hours. We will, however, keep it updated throughout the season, in case the likes of Ramsey and Kelce return at a later date.

• Aaron Donald (RE, Los Angeles Rams)
• Davante Adams (WR, Las Vegas Raiders)
• Myles Garrett (RE, Cleveland Browns)
• Trent Williams (LT, San Francisco 49ers)

Reports that Amazon is planning to offer to buy EA are inaccurate, according to new information.

Speaking on CNBC, reporter David Faber said that "I have talked to some people who would actually know if there's something going on, and they say there's nothing going on." That was in response to a surge in EA's stock price following a USA Today's For the Win report earlier today, which claimed earlier today that Amazon will formally announce its offer to acquire EA at some point later today, having actually  made the offer at a previous time.

EA's stock climbed 15% in the wake of that report, with Axios' Sara Fischer suggesting to CNBC that there was "a little bit of fire" to the rumour.  The stock price has begun to fall again since then, however, as more details emerge.

The offer, if it does end up coming to pass, would see Amazon potentially acquire the company behind Apex Legends, Madden NFL, Battlefield, and many more blockbuster titles, which would land them in a significant place across the gaming industry.

This isn't the first time acquisition rumors have swirled around EA. Earlier this year in January, it was revealed by Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick that his company had considered a merger with EA, effectively joining forces as one massive entity, prior to Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard. 

Just earlier this month in August, in fact, EA CEO Andrew Wilson was actually asked by shareholders and investors about the possibility of EA being acquired by an outside company. Wilson said that while he was "confident and excited for our future," he didn't actually rule out entertaining outside acquisition offers.

If Amazon does put in a formal offer to acquire EA, as For the Win is reporting, then we'll have to wait and see whether two things happen. Firstly, EA shareholders will need to vote on whether the acquisition goes ahead. Secondly, the acquisition will need approval from the US government, to see if it comes under being classed as a monopoly. If it doesn't, then the way is theoretically clear for Amazon to acquire EA.

Head over to our guide on Dragon Age 4 for all the details we know about one of EA's most exciting games on the horizon. 

EA is no stranger to gaming announcements being met with divisive reactions. The community blowback to Madden 23's reveal, however, has been particularly fierce. Its big 'new' feature, as discussed with senior producer Mike Mahar in our Madden 23 preview, is something called FieldSense – and some long-standing fans argue this is merely a collection of mechanics removed in years past, and now repackaged for new-gen. Featuring Coach himself on the cover following his death late last year has only exacerbated the 'don't-make-it-like-they-used-to' vibes.

Having spent the last week hammering the Madden 23 beta on PS5, there is some substance to the gripes. After interviewing Mahar, I was expecting this to feel like an entirely different game to Madden 22. Plainly, it doesn't. FieldSense neither evokes memories of the series' halcyon days on Mega Drive or PS2, nor feels like a truly fresh start. Many animations, commentary lines, and other minor shortcomings return from last year. 

And yes, some of those 'new' additions are indeed things we've seen before. For example, one of the best elements of defense is having team-mates wade in to help you halt an on-rushing opponent, or finish a tackle once you've buffeted a runner off-balance. It's massively helpful in short yardage situations or a goal-line stand. It wasn't in Madden 22, and in that sense offers an upgrade. But physics-based gang tackles were in the series, and functioned similarly effectively, back in Madden 16. So you do understand that collective eye-rolling, to an extent. 

Press or no?

Wide receiver and defensive-back tussles are specified as another new wrinkle. It's true that there is more sense of a press taking place when the ball is snapped, with the DB either slowing the WR down a step or two, or said receiver evading his man to escape into space. Yet Madden 18 tried a similar thing. Receivers had four different types of release mechanics, while cornerbacks could funnel opponents at the line by pushing a direction on the right stick. So while it feels 'new' it technically isn't, in the context of the entire series.

All power to the community, then, for wanting transparency in the game's marketing. But the issue, as with most social media discussions, is that there is depressingly scant middle ground. On this evidence, Madden 23 is going to be hard pressed to score 9s and 10s. But it's also far better than the 1s and 2s that will be banded around on Metacritic in protest. Madden 23 won't compete with classic series entries like Madden 2005, with its gripping franchise mode and still-revered Tony Bruno radio show. Yet it still plays solid football, with small yet noticeable upgrades.

For instance, the running game offers a substantial upgrade over Madden 22. It finally feels subtle and intricate, and about much more than sheer speed or power. Mahar made a big deal of talking up 360-degree cuts and immediate transference of weight, and the difference is tangible. You can slow your run, Le'Veon Bell style, then shoot through a gap as it opens up. You can sprint to the right on a toss route, spot a pulling lineman pancaking his defender, and cut back into the surprise space. You can patiently wait for blocking to develop on a punt return, then zig-zag between two coverage players and hit the open field. At last.

The flip side is that defending the run is tougher than it was a year ago. I actually welcome that. Too often in Madden 22 you could shut down an opponent's rushing game by loading the line, or blitzing a safety or CB. Now it's all-too-easy to overcommit to one side of the field, or over-pursue with an individual player. It tones down your aggressiveness and forces you into thinking a bit more when selecting plays.

Throwing up-Hill

Quarterback play is tweaked, too. However, the new aiming reticule and ability to lead receivers aren't as pronounced as the FieldSense reveal made them appear. This area feels like Madden 22 Enhanced. Where it's really noticeable is in leading a possession receiver on an out route for a tip-toe sideline catch, or a speedster downfield for a deep heave. Great if you're controlling the Rams, with Cooper Kupp, or the Miami Dolphins and Tyreek Hill. (Tua Tagovailoa may not have the biggest arm, but Hill remains a cheat player when left in single coverage.) For average QB-WR tandems, this feels much like it did a year ago.

Also familiar are special teams shortcomings. Aside from the improvements to kick and punt returns, brought about by the subtleties of foot planting and better blocking, these are largely a non-event. There's no sense of peril that you'll have a punt blocked, or miss a field goal inside 45 yards. Similarly, there's zero point calling punt or field goal blocks, as AI team-mates never get close. As ever you can try to jump the snap yourself, and perhaps in online matches this is the only way to keep things skill-based. But offline, your AI gunners should be capable of sticking an arm out to tip the ball occasionally.

Presentation is an area that remains good, when it really could be great. I love the new close-in cameras celebrating a touchdown, and coaches and un-helmeted players look brilliantly realistic. But the stats overlays and other broadcast elements still fall short of watching a Sunday night tilt on CBS or Fox. EA's deal with the Premier League in FIFA shows how a video game can achieve authenticity on this front. It's, well, maddening that Tiburon hasn't considered a crossover like 2K's mid-2000s tie-in with ESPN, with realistic branding, half-time shows and so on.

Constructive criticisms aside, I'm having fun with Madden 23, particularly its refreshed ground game. Franchise has stagnated in recent times in the wake of Ultimate Team's rise, and I'd love something to truly get stuck into on that front – but at present the Madden 23 PS5 beta only offers exhibition matches. We'll take a look at those modes closer to the Madden 23 release date of August 19. As for FieldSense: for now mark it down as 'transitional', rather than 'transformational'.

EA has officially unveiled Madden 21 with a reveal trailer containing a small sampling of gameplay footage mixed in with cinematics. Likewise, the new Madden is available for pre-order on Origin and - a first for the series - Steam.

As we've expected for some time, the Ravens' Lamar Jackson is on the cover. There are three different editions open for pre-order: Standard ($60), Deluxe ($80), and MVP ($100), and each one comes with pre-order bonuses.

No matter which edition you go with, you get one of 32 NFL Team Elite Packs, five MUT Gold Team Fantasy Packs, and a Uniform Pack.

Pre-order either the Deluxe or MVP edition and get a three-day early access trial. The Deluxe edition includes seven Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) Gold Team Fantasy Packs, while the MVP edition includes 12 MUT Gold Team Fantasy Packs, as well as a large Quicksell Training Pack, the Madden Championship Series Ultimate Champion Pack, and a Lamar Jackson Elite Item.

The Madden 21 announcement was delayed at the beginning of the month in order to focus on driving "change against the unjust treatment and systemic bias that is plaguing the nation and our world."

Madden 21 kicks off August 25 on PS4 and Xbox One, and it's coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X with the launch of the next-gen consoles this Holiday season. The game can be upgraded for free on PS5 and Xbox Series X if you buy it on current-gen consoles.

Here's a comprehensive overview including all the new Madden 21 features we know about.

With the season over, Madden 20 patch 1.26 - AKA the Madden 20 March title update - is the most specific yet. It's fully focussed on Salary Cap mode in Ultimate Team. With Last Chance Qualifiers for the Madden 20 Championship Series currently taking place, EA has adjusted the number of Salary Cap points that each X-Factor ability costs when added to your competitive roster. As such, these Madden 20 patch notes are presented in list form. Normal service will be resumed next month, with a title update expected around 6 March. For even more intel, dip into the official Madden NFL 20 Gridiron Notes. 

Madden 20 update 1.22: Increased Superstar Ability Caps

- Inside Stuff increased from 8 cap to 15 cap
- No Outsiders increased from 10 cap to 15 cap
- Run Stopper increased from 15 cap to 16 cap
- Finesse Specialist increased from 35 cap to 45 cap
- Power Specialist increased from 35 cap to 45 cap
- Edge Threat increased from 35 cap to 40 cap
- Edge Threat Elite increased from 40 cap to 50 cap
- Pass Rush Elite increased from 40 cap to 50 cap
- Matchup Nightmare increased from 20 cap to 25 cap
- Arm Bar increased from 35 cap to 40 cap
- Juke Box increased from 40 cap to 45 cap
- Fastbreak increased from 60 cap to 85 cap

Madden 20 update 1.22: Decreased Superstar Ability Caps

- In Specialist decreased from 3 cap to 2 cap
- Pocket Lead decreased from 5 cap to 2 cap
- Set Feet Lead decreased from 5 cap to 2 cap
- Pass Lead Elite decreased from 10 cap to 4 cap
- In Out Elite decreased from 6 cap to 4 cap
- Curl Comeback Elite decreased from 10 cap to 7 cap
- Pocket Deadeye decreased from 10 cap to 8 cap
- Cross Specialist decreased from 15 cap to 10 cap
- Route Technician decreased from 15 cap to 10 cap
- Outside Apprentice decreased from 18 cap to 10 cap
- Post Specialist decreased from 15 cap to 11 cap
- Out Corner Elite decreased from 15 cap to 12 cap
- In Post Elite decreased from 16 cap to 12 cap
- Conductor decreased from 15 cap to 12 cap
- All Day decreased from 18 cap to 15 cap
- Secure Protector decreased from 18 cap to 15 cap
- Red Zone Threat decreased from 18 cap to 15 cap
- Edge Protector decreased from 20 cap to 16 cap
- Gun Slinger decreased from 20 cap to 18 cap
- TE Apprentice decreased from 25 cap to 20 cap
- RB Apprentice decreased from 25 cap to 20 cap
- Pass Block Elite decreased from 28 cap to 25 cap
- Backfield Master decreased from 35 cap to 30 cap
- Protected decreased from 40 cap to 30 cap
- Man Up decreased from 25 cap to 22 cap
- Zoned Out decreased from 28 cap to 25 cap

Madden 20 patch 1.22: Decreased X-Factor Ability Caps

- Pro Reads decreased from 10 cap to 1 cap
- Fearless decreased from 10 cap to 1 cap
- Bazooka decreased from 15 cap to 5 cap
- Max Security decreased from 20 cap to 5 cap
- RAC’em Up decreased from 20 cap to 5 cap
- Satellite decreased from 25 cap to 10 cap
- Brick Wall decreased from 15 cap to 10 cap
- Wrecking Ball decreased from 25 cap to 15 cap
- First One Free decreased from 25 cap to 15 cap
- Freight Train decreased from 25 cap to 15 cap
- Blitz Radar decreased from 20 cap to 15 cap
- Run & Gun decreased from 35 cap to 15 cap
- Gambler decreased from 40 cap to 20 cap
- Double Me decreased from 30 cap to 25 cap
- Run Stuffer decreased from 15 cap to 5 cap
- Fearmonger decreased from 15 cap to 10 cap
- Reinforcement decreased from 20 cap to 10 cap
- Shutdown decreased from 25 cap to 10 cap
- Zone Hawk decreased from 25 cap to 10 cap
- Unstoppable Force decreased from 30 cap to 20 cap

Madden 20 is out now. Just starting to map out your Ultimate Team? Then you need our Madden 20 ratings guide, charting the top five players at every position.

The Super Bowl - and NFL season - may be long over, but Madden 20 tips mean you can still celebrate winning the big one regardless of your feelings on the Kansas City Chiefs. Madden 20 is much improved this year, particularly in areas such as the run-pass option, and mission structure found within Ultimate Team. Already looking forward to next season? Then check out your Madden 21 features wishlist. Still enjoying the current game? Crack on with our Madden 20 tips rundown.

Face of the Franchise lets you restart

Devin Wade’s Longshot story is gone, and the more freeform Face of the Franchise mode is in. In Madden 20 story mode, you create your own quarterback, play through the college playoff series, perform at the NFL combine, and are invited to draft day. How soon you come off the board is partly in your hands. An early exit from the college playoffs hurts your draft stock, as does a sloppy performance in Indianapolis for the combine. 

If being selected early in the draft is important to you – especially as it scores an achievement/trophy – you can guarantee becoming the first overall pick. To do you, you must win the National Championship and impress scouts with a flawless combine workout. The combine is 24 passing plays and the game lets you know when you’ve messed any of these up, so if you’re really pushing for that number one spot on draft day, don’t hesitate to scrub your save and try again. 

Check your phone in franchise mode

Franchise mode doesn’t get a lot of love this year - no surprises there - but one minor new feature that is pretty cool is its increased social aspect. Each week, your player or coach receives text messages from different people in the NFL universe. It may be a beat reporter for the local paper, or a rival player, or even one of your own teammates. They ask for favors, taunt you, give you interviews, and how you reply determines where XP bonuses go and what goals you have for the game ahead. Make sure to interact with these, because to skip them often means losing free XP boosts or other opportunities to more quickly progress your players. In brief, keep your ringer on.

Know and trigger your X-Factors

X-Factors are this year’s biggest addition. 20 of these skills are given to the league’s 50 most dominant players, and can be activated multiple times during any game in any mode. To get the most out of these boons, feed your superstars opportunities early. For example, Odell Beckham needs three catches of 20+ yards to activate his RAC ‘Em Up ability (increased success rate for RAC catches versus single coverage), so you should be script your drives early and often, enabling him to hit that milestone. Once Beckham hits it, he stays in the “zone” until a defender forces an incompletion. Just like in real life, these X-Factor players have the chance to dominate all four quarters, so get them involved fast.

Unveil your rookies’ potential

If you’re playing Franchise as a coach, the draft is one of the most important moments of every season. If you want to best build for the future, be sure to track your draftees’ progression potential in the roster menu. Clicking on any player reveals the rate at which their skills will improve and there are four possibilities: normal, star, superstar, and X-Factor. Any incoming rookies need to first play 500 snaps (roughly half the season for a starter with six-minute quarters) before their potential is revealed, but once it is you have a clearer idea of which new players have breakout ability and which may have been draft busts.

Get trendy with the run-pass option 

For online play, this is the most critical of our Madden 20 tips. The run-pass option has been the league’s favorite toy ever since the Eagles ran it all the way to a Super Bowl victory two seasons ago. RPO plays are in Madden for the first time this year, and as tricky as they can be for defenses, you can be right there with them without enough practice. Head to the Skills Trainer under the Exhibition menu and find the Run Concepts playbook. Three new drills are available that familiarize you with the RPO and how to use it effectively with intelligent pre-snap reads and lightning-quick reaction times once the ball is snapped. If you used this method to master the QB option from a few years ago, you already know how practice really does make perfect.

Tap into Madden missions ASAP

As Ultimate Team grows more with every season, the amount of menus, modes, and currencies can be daunting for new players. If you’ve been avoiding MUT due to its intimidating array of routes and options, never really sure if you’re progressing correctly, there’s no need to worry anymore. Madden 20 adds Missions, a guided approach to the many challenge trees of Ultimate Team. It’s the first page you see when starting a new team, and should be considered your HQ  for anything you’re working on while building your fantasy roster of past legends and current stars. 

Skip to three-star challenges in MUT

One more key MUT tip to finish. Now that you’re no longer scared off by its various challenges, take it one step further and skip to the “hard” challenges early on. If you’ve played MUT before, you know the challenges begin quite simple: “Run for 10 yards,” “Complete two passes,” “Throw a touchdown from the goalline.” Many challenges have three tiers broken up by difficulty, but because the objectives are so simple, you can save time and earn rewards much faster by cutting the line and choosing the three-star challenges immediately – rather than playing the same challenge on easy, then medium, then hard. Eventually they get legitimately harder, but you can play several hours of “hard” level content before most Madden 20 players would agree with the designation. 

Watch the clock in no-huddle

In previous years, a great way to race back into a game when losing - or infuriate an opponent online - was to master your audibles and utilise a hurry-up offense, saving time by skipping the play-calling screen. This short-cut still works, but you need to play it more carefully as the clock now takes into account the time it'd take in real life for your players to get back into position. Complete a long pass downfield and you can hold triangle (on PS4) to skip the huddle, but lose 10-15 seconds as everyone gets back to the line. Inside the final minute, those lost seconds are critical - so don't forget to run out of bounds and stop the clock as often as possible. 

Madden 20 is out now. Wondering which superstars to use now you have all these tips? Then you need our guide to Madden 20 ratings.

It’s Super Bowl weekend, and Super Bowl weekend means Madden 20 prediction time - and this year EA is backing the Kansas City Chiefs to overcome the San Francisco 49ers 35-31. You can watch the official prediction video below:

Unlike in previous years, there are no specific game details to report - for instance, last year EA tabbed Tom Brady for 287 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, while Aaron Donald was predicted to score four sacks. This year, the only additional detail is an MVP award for Patrick Mahomes. Which is hardly the boldest of fortune-telling moves.

However, to supplement the video EA has been sharing predictions from famous NFL players, a couple of whom were eliminated in the last round of the play-offs. Titans QB Ryan Tannehill tips the Chiefs to emerge victorious with a 35-28 scoreline, while team-mate Derrick Henry goes the opposite way: 32-29 Niners is his take. Falcons tight end Austin Hooper makes the boldest call of all: San Francisco claiming the spoils in a wild 56-49 thriller. 

While last year's Madden prediction of Rams over Patriots proved incorrect, EA has called 10 of the last 16 matches correctly. Its high point was Super Bowl 54, where it nailed both the correct result and scoreline: New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24.

The Super Bowl takes place this Sunday (2nd February) at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with a start time of 23:30 UK/18:30 Atlantic/15:30 Pacific. Wondering how you can watch it for nothing? Then you need GR’s guide on how to watch Super Bowl live stream online for free.

For even more content related to the big game, check out the best Super Bowl TV deals: 4K TV prices cut for the sports event of the year. Tom’s Guide also has an excellent guide to the best Super Bowl gadgets.

Good news for anyone who believes Patrick Mahomes to be the best QB in real-life football: Madden 20 ratings say he's the greatest on the digital turf, too. Despite injury the Kansas City signal-caller looks set for another run at the play-offs come January, although no one should write off his closest Madden 20 challenger: a certain Tom Brady. Wondering who else shapes up well in this year's game? Below you'll find the top five players at every position, according to the default on-disc Madden 20 ratings. 

Has your favourite missed out on the list? Then instead use the official Madden 20 ratings database to see how they fare this year.

Quarterback (QB)

1. Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), 97
2. Tom Brady (New England), 96
3. Philip Rivers (San Diego), 94
4=. Drew Brees (New Orleans), 92
4=. Andrew Luck (Indianapolis), 92

Madden 20 cover vote winner Pat Mahomes didn’t make last year’s top five, but leaps straight to top spot after being voted NFL MVP in 2018. Going the other way is Green Bay signal-caller Aaron Rodgers: joint first alongside Brady in Madden 19, he now ranks seventh with a 90 OVR, just below Seattle’s Russell Wilson (91). Rounding out the big ten at QB are Matt Ryan (Atlanta, 89), Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh, 85), and Cam Newton (Panthers, 84). 

Running back (HB/FB)

1. Todd Gurley (LA Rams), 97
2. Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas), 94
3=. Le’Veon Bell (New York Jets), 92
3=. Melvin Gordon (San Diego), 92
5=. Saquon Barkley (New York Giants), 91
5=. Christian McCaffrey (Carolina Panthers), 91

A fab five which actually becomes a super six, due to the inability to split Giants sophomore Saquon Barkley and Panthers gadget king Christian McCaffrey. Todd Gurley overhauls Le’Veon Bell at the list’s peak, with the top ten also incorporating Kareem Hunt (Cleveland, 90), Alvin Kamara (New Orleans, 90), Devonta Freeman (Atlanta, 89), and Joe Mixon (Cincinnati, 88). Looking for the best full-back? Take a bow, Kyle Juszczyk (San Francisco, 85).

Wide receiver (WR)

1. DeAndre Hopkins (Houston), 99
2=. Antonio Brown (LA Raiders), 98
2=. Julio Jones (Atlanta), 98
4. Odell Beckham Jr (Cleveland), 96
5. Michael Thomas (New Orleans), 95

Receiver is an absurdly stacked position in Madden 20, with 13 players rated 90 or above. Particularly exciting from a videogame perspective is two of the top five stepping out with new clubs: start a franchise with the Raiders or Browns to enjoy Brown or Beckham in fresh jerseys. The Vikings should also prove tempting. They have two glue-handed widemen in that 90+ club, in Adam Thielen (94) and Stefon Diggs (93) – but can digital Kirk Cousins (81) get them the ball?

Tight end (TE)

1. Travis Kelce (Kansas City), 96
2. Zach Ertz (Philadelphia), 93
3. Delanie Walker (Tennessee), 92
4. George Kittle (San Francisco), 90
5. Greg Olsen (Carolina), 89

There’s only one truly elite option at tight end in Madden 20, although he’s a fairly special one: Travis Kelce boasts ratings of 99 for awareness, 93 for catching, and 88 acceleration, among other strengths. Last year’s numero uno, Rob Gronkowski, has retired, while Jordan Reed (Washington, 88) also slips out of the top five. He’s sandwiched in seventh by Tyler Eifert (Cincinnati, 88), Trey Burton (Chicago, 87) and Jared Cook (New Orleans, 87).

Tackle (RT/LT)

1. David Bakhtiari (LT, Green Bay), 97
2. Trent Williams (LT, Washington), 95
3. Tyron Smith (LT, Dallas), 94
4. Mitchell Schwartz (RT, Kansas City), 93
5. Andrew Whitworth (LT, LA Rams), 93

Left tackle is considered the most important position on the defensive line – what do you mean you’ve never seen The Blind Side?! – so fair play to Mitchell Schwartz for cracking this list despite playing on the right. Bakhtiari tops the list for the second year in a row, but Philly pair Lane Johnson (89) and Jason Peters (87), who both nabbed top-five slots last year, are demoted to 7th and 10th respectively. 

Interior lineman (C/LG/RG)

1. Zack Martin (C, Dallas), 96
2=. Travis Frederick (C, Dallas) 94
2=. Jason Kelce (C, Philadelphia), 94
4=. David DeCastro (RG, Pittsburgh), 93
4=. Rodney Hudson (C, LA Raiders), 93

Madden 20 proves to be quite the year for the Kelce family: older sibling Travis topped the tight-end charts, and here’s little bro Jason sitting equal-second in the interior lineman countdown. No, Dolphins fans: sadly there isn’t a younger sister who can step in at quarterback. Note the paucity of left guards on the list: the best three are Ali Marpet (Tampa Bay, 88), Joel Bitonio (Cleveland, 87) and Quenton Nelson (Indianapolis, 87).

Defensive lineman (DT/LE/RE)

1. Aaron Donald (RE, LA Rams), 99
2. JJ Watt (LE, Houston), 97
3. Fletcher Cox (DT, Philadelphia), 96
4. Damon Harrison Sr (DT, Detroit), 95
5=. Calais Campbell (LE, Jacksonville), 92
5= Michael Pierce (DR, Baltimore), 92

Aaron Donald keeps JJ Watt off the mountaintop for the second year running, not that such news will phase Texans fans: their talisman still scores ratings of 99 awareness, 97 strength, 94 power moves and 97 tackling. Next men up in the top ten are Geno Atkins (DT, Cincinnati, 91), Myles Garrett (RE, Cleveland, 91), Cameron Jordan (LE, New Orleans, 91) and Kenny Clark (DT, Green Bay, 90).

Linebacker (MLB/ROLB/LOLB)

1=. Khalil Mack (LOLB, Chicago), 99
1=. Bobby Wagner (MLB, Seattle), 99
3. Luke Keuchly (MLB, Carolina), 98
4. Von Miller (LOLB, Denver), 97
5. Jadeveon Clowney (ROLB, Houston), 92

Khalil Mack came close to topping the pile at defensive lineman last year, but a move from Raiders to Bears – and corresponding position switch – sees him lead the NFL’s linebacker rankings instead. Bobby Wagner overtakes last year’s primo LB Luke Keuchly to share Mack’s gold medal. There’s a big drop from Von Miller in fourth to Jadeveon Clowney in fifth, with Lavonte David (MLB, Tampa Bay, 90) and Deion Jones (MLB, Atlanta, 90) narrowly missing out.

Defensive back (CB/SS/FS)

1. Jalen Ramsey (CB, Jacksonville), 96
2. Earl Thomas III (FS, Baltimore), 95
3=. Stephon Gilmore (CB, New England), 94
3=. Harrison Smith (SS, Minnesota), 94
5. Richard Sherman (CB, San Francisco), 93

It speaks volumes for New England’s ‘team-first’ approach that Gilmore is only the second Patriots player to appear on these top-five lists – despite them winning last season’s Super Bowl. (Unsurprisingly, the other is Tom Brady.) Gilmore can’t overhaul Jalen Ramsey from top spot, but those two and Sherman spearhead a strong CB class that also includes Patrick Peterson (Arizona, 92), Byron Jones (Dallas, 91) and Chris Harris Jr (Denver, 90).

Kicker/punter (K/P)

As befits a player who’s converted 237 of 263 field goal attempts for a 90.1% success rate, Justin Tucker is Madden 20’s outstanding special teamer – the ultimate marriage of thunder foot and twinkle toes. Only Graham Gano (K, Carolina, 79) and Brett Maher (K, Dallas, 74) have more kicking power than Tucker and Hecker, while Koch and Morstead boast impressive accuracy ratings of 96 and 95 respectively. Remember, guys: laces out. 

Madden 20 is out now. Need to know how best to utilise all these elite stars? Then enjoy these Madden 20 tips: 7 key things to know before you play.

Following the introduction of FIFA 19 Twitch Prime freebies, EA is now extending the giveaways to Madden 20 – beginning with NFL legend Jim Brown. The former Cleveland Browns running back and nine-time Pro Bowler is available to all Twitch Prime members, and will appear in the ‘Games And Loot’ section of the site for anyone who’s signed up.

Wondering how to add Brown to your roster if not already a Twitch Prime member? Then let us steer you through the process…

1. Your first step is to register for a Twitch account in your web browser. You need to have both Amazon Prime and Twitch Prime to claim your player and any future goodies, so once you’re signed into Twitch Prime make sure you’re also signed into Amazon Prime. 

2. You’ll now be automatically be prompted to confirm that you wish to link your Twitch and Amazon accounts. If that doesn’t occur, go to the top left of the Twitch Prime page and choose the ‘link Twitch account’ option. That will bring up the necessary prompt, and your accounts will be linked. 

3. Next up, head over to your loot page which should be immediately visible in Twitch Prime, and select Madden 20. Hit ‘claim now’, and you’ll be prompted to sign into your EA Account. (If you don’t have one, sign up here.) Do that, hit ‘claim’ and the player is all yours - although you need to go into the game itself on your regular format to utilise him.

Note that if you’re not already a Twitch subscriber Prime is free for the first 30 days, but then goes up to $10.99/£7.99 per month. So if you’re only signing up for the Madden 20 Twitch Prime reward then be sure to cancel well before that 30-day trial ends. 

Brown is the August reward, and those who keep their membership into next month will unlock another Madden 20 exclusive: an Twitch Prime uniform to use in Ultimate Team.  

Madden 20 is out now, with Patrick Mahomes on the box – here's a look at the nine players he beat out to win the Madden 20 cover vote.

Predecessors to Madden 20 put themselves over as games built upon three pillars, but those pillars were crumbling. Ultimate Team was a riptide of menus, modes, and microtransactions to drown in. Longshot story mode was an abject disaster in Devin Wade’s second season. Franchise had once been the surefire reason to justify an annual purchase, only to be largely abandoned for a period which – not coincidentally – began with the rise of Ultimate Team. 

This year, Tiburon’s sim doesn’t have three marquee features to put on the back of the box, but its two major changes and several smaller ones go far. Like a former contender going through a rebuilding phase, Madden 20 restores the foundation and promises a deeper and more accessible series for the years ahead. 

A necessary rewrite

Developer EA Tiburon first tried its hand at storytelling with Madden 18’s Longshot. It was a flawed debut but nonetheless left me hopeful for the future. To my eyes, last year’s sequel to Devin Wade’s story was so stunningly bad - Rob-Schneider-as-the-Cowboys-GM-bad - that the whole experiment needed to be blown up. Madden 20 does that. Tiburon has severed all ties with Devin and Colt: Instead, Face of the Franchise is introduced as the new story-driven mode in its place, and it feels a lot more like the fondly remembered Superstar mode from 15 years ago, or more recently, the laissez-faire approach of NBA 2K.

After creating your quarterback and choosing your college as a blue chip recruit, you’re benched for an even bluer chip for four years. The story feels rushed early on, but knowing what a more hands-on approach looks like, I’ll take it. Eventually, you’re thrust into your first career start in the playoffs of your senior season. Capping off your college years before you go pro has been a staple of other sports story modes with often great success, and it feels overdue but welcome to finally run around in Madden 20 wearing the jersey of one of 10 major programs like Oregon, LSU, and USC.

How you perform in the playoffs and combine dictates how early you go on draft day. From there, the rails of the story are removed and the game morphs into regular franchise mode with play limited to your quarterback. One last bit of scripted story comes at the end of your first season, and no matter how you end the year, it’s told succinctly. This brevity is what keeps it compelling. There’s enough to give you context to who your athlete is and where he’s come from, but it doesn’t give you all the poorly written details like Longshot. It lets you fill in the blanks with your own season schedule and career beyond. 

Traditional Franchise hardly gets any attention – yet again! – with the one notable improvement being more control over how you upgrade your players, as well as more opportunities to do so. Conversations unfold via text messages with the media, your players, and rival stars, and how you respond to them determines what your goals are week to week, and where your XP goes over the season. It’s a minor change built on top of last year’s broader fixes, but sadly annual players know by now to expect nothing more than modest iteration from Franchise as the industry continues its collective burrowing into fantasy card collecting. 

The rich get richer

The NFL prides itself on its league-wide parity, but the delta between great players and the truly elite has never seemed wider. That’s represented in Madden 20 with X-Factors, new abilities that can be activated across all game modes with the league’s 50 most dominant players. Last year’s game brought Superstar passive abilities, and while those return, they now play second string to X-Factor skills like Pro Reads, which let QBs like Brady and Brees see open receivers highlighted on screen, or Unstoppable Force, enabling defenders like Mack and Bosa to blow up opposing linemen faster in the trenches. 

These skills have to be earned by performing certain feats, usually in bunches of three. Once activated, players are in the “zone” and remain there until the opposition attains cooldown parameters. As X-Factor skills can be wiped out on a single play, the feature seldom feels unbalanced. It might sound like a lot, but as an arcadey representation of sports’ fabled and unseen momentum gauge, it works well. We’ve seen players like Aaron Donald and Tyreek Hill ruin gameplans for three hours every week for years, so this is EA’s way of bringing that to Madden. It does so in a way that adds a new layer to the game no matter how you’re playing it. 

MUT gets GPS

Despite being the lucrative focus of every Madden for nearly a decade, Ultimate Team has never felt accessible, but that’s finally addressed in a clear and helpful way in Madden 20. Missions are the first thing you see when you hit the menus, and they act as the tour guides through MUT’s once-daunting plaza of challenges. In years past, there’s been such a dizzying array of game modes that it’s felt like there’s no jumping-on point for new players. Missions now greet you with the necessary guidance, and though UI redesign doesn’t get its own promotional trailer, it’s a change that players new and old will benefit from, making it more exciting than one may expect.

Every year brings more MUT content than the last, but this year it’s been neatly streamlined. Challenges flow from one to the next with only brief loading screens between them, keeping you engaged since many can be as quick as a single play. However, online play still drives you towards the temptation of (at least) a few purchased card packs. EA would love for you to buy some cards, that’s abundantly clear. It hasn’t made the rate at which you earn them without your debit card any faster - except for the better UI which keeps you moving more purposefully. MUT is a mode of near-infinite carrots on near-infinite sticks, but at long last, players can better understand how far they are from the carrots they’re chasing.

Building for the future

Few adjustments to this year’s game occur on the field, but that’s okay. Madden has never been better in that regard than it has been over the last three years. This year’s game is more about rounding out the roster for the new era of Madden by improving its accessibility and finding new direction where it was needed. Story mode now has a clear path ahead with the lighter hand of Face of the Franchise, MUT finally feels like something new players can wrap their heads around, and X-Factors replicate the league’s game-changing talent in a authentic, effective way. The Pro Bowl is a very welcome, if absurdly late-to-the-party, addition too.

Collectively, it feels like Madden is in the early stages of re-building a perennial contender. Like drafting a left tackle with the first overall pick, the changes to Madden 20 aren’t flashy, but they feel like the right moves to make in order to compete for years to come.

Reviewed on Xbox One.

Madden 17 checks all the boxes of a proper sports simulator: Up-to-date rosters, accurate depictions of real NFL stadiums, and real-world TV announcers commenting on your every move. As longtime players have come to expect from the annual update, we’ve seen a lot of this before. But the familiar presentation and just-a-little-nicer-than-last-year graphics belie some dramatic and much-needed changes to how you actually play the game. 

Madden has always existed in a strange space between the real, sometimes boring NFL, and the high-octane insanity of NFL Blitz. The franchise bills itself as a simulation, but with game times sliced down by default, and an emphasis on the passing game that leads to huge scores, matchups aren’t nearly as strategic and plodding as they often are on the real NFL gridiron. 

Hoping to make these virtual contests more balanced without sacrificing the excitement of big yardage plays, Madden 17’s ground game has gone through a complete overhaul. Gone are the days where you point the running back in a direction, wiggle the stick, and hope for the best; you now have much greater control over the runner and can actively engage defenders with more variety than a simple stiff-arm or spin move. 

Once you’ve made contact with a tackler, you now have a real opportunity to break their grasp with some well-timed button mashing. It might sound silly, but in practice it leads to more realistic running plays, as modern NFL backs rarely go down at first contact, and frantically tapping on your controller to squeeze out a few extra inches for a first down can make even the smallest plays feel like a big deal. It’s a welcome change, and makes the rushing options much more appealing than in years past.

The passing game has remained largely untouched. Timing your pass to hit a receiver at precisely the right moment, avoiding the pass rush, and occasionally tossing the ball out of bounds to avoid a sack are all key to a successful drive on offense. Playcalling is a simple affair, with a half dozen sorting options to quickly find the play you’re looking for, or you can trust the AI coach and pick one of the recommended plays. 

For those who are less into the on-field grind and more into the meta of an NFL season, Madden 17 has made some solid upgrades to the love-it-or-hate-it Franchise mode. You pick your team and ride it through an entire NFL season, acting as an omnipotent football genius as you set a season goal, negotiate contracts, and even force your players to play through injuries. The new “lingering injuries” feature lets you push a player back onto the field after they’ve been given the OK by the team doctor, but before they are fully healed. Doing so puts the player at greater risk of reinjury, but getting a superstar back onto the turf can save a season. 

A neat addition to this year’s Franchise mode is the new Play The Moments feature. It’s totally optional, but allows you to take direct control of the outcome of a particularly pivotal play. Say, for instance, that your Wild Card playoff spot depends entirely on a 4th-and-goal play. Instead of simulating the outcome, you’ll be tossed into the game and given the chance to play that specific down, putting your team’s success or failure entirely on your shoulders. It’s a nice way to feel connected to the outcome of games even when you’re more focused on big picture decisions like signing players or managing your new practice squad. 

Madden Ultimate Team, where you buy player packs akin to trading cards, fill your roster, and play against others who may or may not have a much, much better team than you, is largely identical to its previous iteration. The pack-opening animations are new, and there are now fireworks, so at least that’s something, right? MUT is definitely for the most hardcore of the Madden faithful, and the payoff for building an unstoppable team is the ability to relentlessly destroy online opponents. 

Speaking of online play, Madden 17 continues the series’ recent tradition of typically lag-free matchups, though if you’re a particularly skilled player you’ll still often find yourself on the receiving end of a “Your opponent has disconnected” error message. There’s not much EA can do about those, unfortunately. 

But as solid as Madden 17 is, there are still a few issues that, like a pulled hamstring, continue to linger. The new announcers, like the old announcers, suffer from stilted conversation and cheesy dialogue. Listening to a pair of football gurus mindlessly banter during a real NFL game is cringe-worthy enough as it is, but when that same inane chatter is distracting you from picking your next play, it’s even more annoying. If the bad commentary is an attempt at realism, I think we’re better off without it. 

Then there’s the player animations, which will repeatedly remind you that you’re playing a sports game with digital, plastic players. When standing up from a tackle, players will often slide and pivot while their feet remain frozen, and after a group collision you’re likely to see at least a few of them lay flat on their back with their hands at their sides, waiting for other players to move so they can perform their own stand-up-and-walk-away animation. These are issues that have existed in sports games for many, many years, but if you were hoping for a more immersive and believable experience this time around, it’s simply not here. 

Those relatively minor niggles aside, Madden 17 makes a convincing argument that it’s not just another annual roster update. With sole ownership of the NFL license for over a decade now, EA’s Madden franchise has long since had any kind of real competition. In the time since acquiring those exclusive rights, the series has been occasionally accused of phoning it in and failing to make significant progress, year to year. With major changes to some of the game’s core mechanics, and an impressive revamp of the now marquee Franchise Mode, Madden 17 has done its best to avoid any such accusations, and succeeded.

Madden NFL 17 was reviewed on Xbox One.

Super Bowl 50 is in the books, sparking six months of partying in Colorado, and a lot of waiting around for the 2016 season for everyone else. Unless you're a Madden NFL 16 player, in which case you can fill the void with evenings of pretend-o-Gridiron, and set right all the 2015 wrongs made by every team not called the Denver Broncos.

Included in that team list is EA Tiburon. The developer's latest edition has come in for as much flak as Eddie Lacy fairly standard, for an annual sports release in the social media age and there are many fan suggestions for how it can avoid another Dolphins-like transitional season. Across the following slides, we analyse the best.

New England's Stephen Gostkowski hadn't missed an extra point kick in ten years before slicing one wide in the AFC Championship game. As a direct result, the Patriots later had to attempt a two-point conversion to level with Denver and their failure to convert it sent them home, and the Broncos to the Super Bowl. One kick. Endless repercussions and theories on what might have been. Such events don't occur in Madden, because the right-stick kicking game is semi-automatic.

A late-game field goal for the win is one of the most exciting and stressful moments in football, and Madden has made it routine, explains blogger TexasHomeBoy1. As long as you have a high kick power, you will be one of the best kickers in the game. In Madden 17, kickers have to feel more authentic and challenging. I'd love to see a QTE-style mini-game for field goals and extra point attempts, where kicks close to goal require a simple sequence of button presses X to snap, X to hold, X to kick but those further away get more complex dependent on a kicker's accuracy and clutch ratings. Heavy Rain-style finger-breaking in order to nail a last minute 53-yarder? Ouchee, but good.

GR+ verdict: Kicking has become one of the most tedious, routine elements of Madden, and is in desperate need of an overhaul. This has to happen.

In real life, coaches can challenge and demand an instant replay of nigh-on any aspect of every play, twice per match. In ESPN NFL 2K5, coaches could challenge and demand an instant replay of nigh-on any aspect of every play, twice per match. In Madden NFL 16 sometimes theres an option to challenge the spot of the ball, or an incomplete pass. Often, theres no way of knowing exactly what youre even challenging. Brilliant.

At the very least, the challenge option should specify what element(s) of the play will be reviewed, assesses blogger Mega Bears Fan . So the option shouldn't just say 'Challenge play', but 'Challenge the spot of the ball', or "Challenge the fumble. Elements that can be challenged should include spot of the ball, stepped out of bounds, down by contact/fumble, catch/no catch, catch in/out of bounds, incomplete pass/fumble, illegal forward pass, and hit while the arm was moving.

GR verdict: A salient reminder that an 11-year old PS2 game still does some things better than modern Madden. Detail is everything, and this is a critical series addition.

To its credit, Tiburon has tried many different methods of introducing lifelike physics to Madden over the years, even bringing aboard former NFL offensive lineman Clint Oldenburg full-time in January 2012. It's improved year-on-year, but still doesnt feel quite right, and EA forum user Spookyweezel pinpoints one of the reasons why: the momentum of two players with differing weights smashing into each other isnt correctly replicated.

A back like Adrian Peterson going head up against Brent Grimes [should] have a different outcome than Darren Sproles hitting Ndamukong Suh. ESPN NFL 2K5 [which handled these collisions realistically] shouldnt be the go-to game for this anymore. His analysis of line play is similarly accurate: The fight in the trenches needs to be just that: a fight til the end of the play. There is no rip, move, struggle. Madden linemen look like they are dancing with one another its pointless to even play as a defensive lineman.

GR+ verdict: Improvements have been made with each year since Oldenburgs appointment, and are likely coming again in 17. Nailing the heft of a huge defensive tackle like Suh would be a satisfying step forwards if it happens.

Home advantage is a big deal in the NFL. Seattle's CenturyLink Field was designed so that 70% of its seats are covered by parabola-shaped canopies, meaning almost all sound produced (often 130+ decibels, i.e. bloody loud) is amplified back towards the field of play. In this environment, opposition quarterbacks are notorious for turning toilet. Kansas City and Denver are also known for mercilessly noisy followings. Yet Madden has never tried to replicate these despite having done so, very successfully, in its now-defunct college football series.

There was nothing better than playing in the Swamp [Florida] or the Big House [Michigan] on NCAA Football, writes RoDogz17 on Operation Sports. QBs and WRs struggled to make audibles and snap the ball, the routes were jagged when you pulled up the play art, and the screen shook frantically. This was an amazing feature that took me from the couch in my living room to Death Valley in Baton Rouge. It truly was, and its continuing Madden absence is befuddling.

GR+ verdict: Essential. If the worry is it offending online players, make the feature specific to franchise mode. There's no such thing as 'overly realistic'.

Casual gamers who owned Mega Drive-era Madden remember it for two reasons: throwing a Hail Mary on every passing down, and its comedy ambulance. Blaring sirens, the latter would drive onto the field after an injury, steam through any player in its path, and then hare off again, usually leaving behind the guy who was first crocked. In retrospect, it probably wasnt the most tasteful thing to celebrate a major injury," a producer told Sports Illustrated after its 2001 removal. "And this was in the era before concussion awareness that we have today.

Given that its loss was specifically requested by the NFL, the chances of its return are nil. That doesnt mean realistic injuries should be ignored in world of virtual pigskin. Bring back career ending injuries, requests EA forumite Mfjayhimself, but give the player a choice [of having them switched on or off]. Injuries, especially for linemen, need to happen away from the ball, elaborates Mike Lowe on Operation Sports. This is a fantastic point: non-contact injuries are among the most dangerous in the real sport, yet rarely if ever seen in Madden.

GR verdict: My favourite Madden 06 memory is winning the Super Bowl with DJ Shockley after Mike Vick was lost for a year. Without proper injuries in Madden, that kind of achievement isnt possible. Any kind of change would be welcome.

Happy personal memory from the mid-2000s: importing NCAA Football from the States in order to play through seasons with talented college players, then export the draft class to Madden to see how said stars fared in the NFL. That feature, like NCAA, is long gone, and not for the better. Instead, the pool of new players each season in franchise mode is fictional, dampening realism with each passing year.

While the lack of an NCAA license prevents EA supplying correct player names in a draft class, even a basic in-game editor (name, height, weight, college, position) would get around this. On Operation Sports, JO122194 makes a conclusive case: Creating a feature that allows you to edit a random generated roster in the same game in no way, shape or form effects the NCAA or anyones likeness in it. NBA 2K has had this EXACT feature for over five years now. If any of you are familiar with the Simworldguys from 2K, imagine that with Madden, says Richard 2001. The lack of variety would be solved if we could create and upload draft classes.

GR+ verdict: How do you not invest in the one thing asked for above everything else? writes Michael Hall Jr. Our view matches his.

No room for my input here. Too many essential fan ideas. Allow the resigning of players mid-season like in Madden 12, requests Yazan Gable on Operation Sports. And allow the editing of players mid-season like in Madden 12. A real career mode like 07 on Xbox PS2, with drills and the combine, is the wish of iruleall15 on EA's official forum. Fix Head Coach contracts. Holdouts. Suspensions. Proper progression and regression. Bring back co-ordinators!

More: Playable Pro Bowl, from super.fly on Operation Sports. More realistic contracts, says KickassJohnson on the same site. Allow for restructuring so QBs arent half the payroll Doug Martin staying in Tampa [for a home-town discount] would never happen in Madden. In the game, if you dont hit the magic dollar amount, a player is gone. Or just copy a template everyone loved: If they input the [engine] from Head Coach 09 into Madden it would (instantly) be much better, opines bdman on Gamezone. He isnt wrong.

GR+ verdict: Taking these suggestions in order: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. God yes. Yes. Yes. And yes.

With Legends such as Dan Marino now available in Madden Ultimate Team, EA has moved away from including classic teams like the 85 Bears. And given recent litigation taken out by a class action group of 6,000 retired players over unauthorised usage of their likenesses, that decision is unlikely to be reversed this year. But in an ideal world, EA forum user DOOMHAMMER152 has a diamond suggestion for reigniting franchise mode.

Start in the year 2000 with the correct roster [from] that time. When you finish the first season, the draft class is that of 2001, and so on until the present day, he explains. We would be able to play as Madden greats like Michael Vick, LaDanian Tomlinson, Ray Lewis, Shaun Alexander, and Brett Favre in their prime with updated graphics. What would have happened if Tim Couch was drafted by Pittsburgh? Or the Browns drafted Big Ben? Could you make JaMarcus Russell the best QB in the NFL or Andrew Luck a bust?

GR+ verdict: No chance for 17, or indeed the next 2-3 seasons, but theres the thread of a great idea here. How about being able to relive the 1988 season in its entirety when Maddens 30th anniversary rolls around in two years' time?

Sports games can never have too much detail. In GR+'s recent piece on FIFA 17, I lauded a seemingly odd fan request for improved goal nets specifically because that kind of above-and-beyond commitment to the minutiae of real sport is exactly what makes MLB: The Show incredible. If Madden is to return to its mid-2000s heyday, its team needs to develop a similarly obsessive eye. Beginning with a 90-foot-square patch of Californian sand.

The home field of my favourite team, the Oakland Raiders, has a baseball diamond on it in August and September, writes NatureBoy2323 on EA's official forum. The PS2 and Xbox versions on Madden had it, but it's been missing since the move to PS3 and Xbox 360. I would love to see its return. While on the subject, let's also bring back pitch conditions properly affecting play. In Madden 08, when you played in wind or snow by the end [players'] jerseys and pants would be muddy and [they] would be slipping all over the place, writes TD Barrett for Sports Gamers Online.

GR+ verdict?: The more detail, the better. Always. And if it has an effect on the actual playing of matches too, perfect.

GR+ recently simmed Super Bowl 50, and got Denver winning 24-14 an almost identical score to the real one. But towards the end of this AI vs AI face-off, the dumbest thing imaginable happened. Carolina scored a touchdown with a minute to play, and rather than onside kick, booted possession back to Denver in essence gift-wrapping the Lombardi trophy. That event is symptomatic of the baffling design showcased regularly inside the final two minutes of Madden matches for nearly three decades.

It has to be changed, and naturally fans agree. [EA needs to] maintain the accelerated clock inside the two-minute drill, in order to prevent using the play-call screen to instantly telephort to the line of scrimmage, writes EA forumite Mega Bears Fan. Hes correct, as is blogger TexasHomeBoy1: You are down 3 with 15 seconds left and out of timeouts. You complete a pass over the middle, but as you hurry everyone to the line [for the tying field goal], time runs out because the players have to get into Maddens exact spike formation. In the NFL, teams dont go to a set formation, just get to the line as fast as they can.

GR+ verdict: Two of many examples where Madden goes loopy inside the final two minutes of each half. Sadly this stuff has happened for years, so expect little to change in 17.

You know how many Brit football fans still consider mid-2000s PES its best years? The same is true across the pond, for Johnboy's NFL series. It featured defensive assignments that worked correctly. Restricted free agents in career mode, which still haven't made PS3 or PS4. Historical teams. And instead of tuneless dirge a brilliant radio show between matches which analysed both your last game and events around the league.

On the EA forums, Spookyweezel advocates taking this model and injecting a contemporary flavour. Something like ESPN NFL Primetime, or NFL Live. Coaches and players call in for interviews and talk about the game. And a weekly Twitter feed that discusses contracts expiring, and rumours and trades or releases. He then lifts one more strong idea from the retro well: A return to the [pre-match] positional breakdown from Madden 05, where it would tell you about each player's strengths and weaknesses for the upcoming game. That was great too, actually. What a game.

GR+ verdict: Yes to everything. If Madden 17 were little more than an HD reskin of Madden 05 with updated rosters, this would suffice.

Since the advent of the PS4 and Xbox One console generation, the Madden team has focused on righting some of the wrongs that naturally added up over the course of nearly thirty years of building games. This doesn’t translate into sexy headlines, but many of us that play it every year appreciate that. Madden has become a more focused and thoughtful offering, and Madden NFL 16 is the latest proof of that vision

For years, regular Madden players have clamored for better interactions between receivers and defenders. As offensive line blocking – another longtime Madden source of frustration – dramatically improved last year, the spotlight shone brightly on these thoroughly lacking downfield pass mechanics. Madden 16 attempts to address them, with varying degrees of success. On the plus side, you’ve got nifty tools at your fingertips to influence the results at the end of a pass, including the ability to aggressively go for the ball or position yourself to pick up yards after the catch. These cause all sorts of mayhem, and the organic interactions between players (and the ensuing unpredictable bounces of the ball) are refreshing. The flip side is that good receivers have a tremendous advantage over their defenders and the number of wild, one-handed catches by players of all types happens far too often. A bit of balance is still needed.

Tackling also feels different and, for the most part, better this season. Players can break out of tackles regularly, which increases the need for two or more defenders to converge on a ballcarrier. The physics of the one-two punch of tacklers flying in from different directions is impressive, and the use of leverage and positioning to bring someone down is presented well. Quarterback accuracy ratings actually matter this season, too. Only the best passers will get the ball into the right spot every time, a stark contrast to years past when cavemen like Tim Tebow could drill receivers in the hands.

Many of these improvements have been mapped to additional player controls, which puts Madden close to NBA 2K in terms of overall complexity. Bumpers combined with face buttons allow for modified pass types for quarterbacks, and the receiver-defensive back interactions call for button presses while the ball is traveling in the air. On top of the already-dense set of base controls, this will be overwhelming to those who haven’t played the game in recent years; conversely, series veterans like me appreciate the additional layers of influence they'll have on the on-field action.

The difficulty level is higher this year too. While the CPU will still occasionally make some strange decisions on offense, the AI has stepped up its game. The default All-Pro difficulty level gives you a challenging game on both sides of the ball, mixing the run and the pass well, making better use of individual team strengths, and is generally just tougher to beat.

The Franchise mode remains the heart of the series for many, and while it is (by far) the best overall sports game experience to participate with friends in a competitive, persistent environment, several of the design decisions made this year are questionable. At the forefront is the new goal system for each drive; accomplishing certain tasks helps level up your players and coach, which allows you to upgrade them as the season moves along. While the concept is a good one, the implementation is lacking. Many of the goals simply don’t make football sense, such as having to get the ball to a specific receiver three times in a drive or being required to pass for a touchdown. They wind up distracting you from your main goal, which is scoring and managing the clock by any means possible.

On the other hand, the introduction of Free Practice mode is a revelation. As seasons move along and your team becomes populated with unknown draft picks and free agents, the ability to take them on the practice field and test their skills is outstanding. A re-tooled scouting system is enjoyable as well, letting you quickly take a look at the traits of collegiate players and unlocking their attributes with ease. Unfortunately, the removal of the ability to delegate Game Prep responsibilities adds a few unnecessary minutes of time before every game, and the overall Confidence system that Game Prep is meant to help navigate remains uneven. I certainly can’t get into the mind of an NFL player, but I imagine that a couple of bad games won’t make a skilled professional football player lose half their confidence; frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire Confidence mechanism is scrapped within a year or two.

For the first time in years, an all-new mode has been introduced. Draft Champions is a hybrid of fantasy football and Ultimate Team, allowing you to pick from a series of coaches and players to quickly assemble a squad to then take online and climb leaderboards. It’s a better way to enjoy battling people online, as most standard head-to-head games wind up featuring just a handful of the best NFL teams like the Seahawks and Patriots. With no long term commitment – your squad stays together for just a handful of games, then you get to pick a new one – and no monetization pressure, it is a fun bridge between traditional online games and the ever-present Ultimate Team. Whether or not it maintains long-term appeal will depend upon how well it is supported after launch; the development team would be smart to sprinkle in new players on a regular basis in order to keep things interesting.

What’s ironic about Madden these days is that the more it improves, the more its legacy issues – even the small ones – stand out. For example, the visuals are sharper and more detailed than ever, but the in-game crowds and television-style commentary are ordinary. On-field physics produce incredibly powerful collisions, but awkward body movements persist when players pick themselves up after a play is dead. Penalties occur at a realistic pace now (which, considering how much I hate penalties in real NFL games is a particular downer for me), yet an unfortunate bug causes at least one encroachment flag per game as an oblivious defensive lineman walks right into his offensive counterpart before the ball is snapped. Despite the overall level of improvement, there’s room for people to quickly point out a bunch of little nagging things in Madden that don’t seem to be wrong with titles like MLB The Show and NBA 2K.

Madden NFL 16 is strong title that demonstrates the development team’s commitment to building a fundamentally sound core game, mostly avoiding the siren’s song of sexy-sounding features that are short on substance. Madden supports its core Franchise mode players well while also catering to the ever-growing (and vitally important) numbers of Ultimate Team fanatics, and even attempts to bridge the two with an interesting new online mode. Despite some design decisions I don’t love, there’s no doubt that I’ll once again be playing against my friends in fun, competitive matches for the next twelve months. Madden is not the best sports game on the market, but its steady rise is inarguable.

Madden Ultimate Team Tips

Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) is an absolute monster. Since making its debut as a downloadable add-on in Madden NFL 11, it has evolved to become one of the most popular ways to play the game. Entire communities have sprung up around it, playing their version of card-collecting fantasy football 12 months a year.

MUT allows you to collect all of your favourite current NFL players plus some of the greatest legends in NFL history and pit them against offline and online competition. One of the biggest reasons MUT has become so popular is that it brings back childhood memories of buying packs of sports cards at the neighbourhood convenience store and comparing them with your friends. It’s also a living mode, constantly updated from the day that Madden launches up to and through the calendar year.

Many people, however, get intimidated by MUT. Some don’t quite know how to get started, while others may get lost along the way. It can be tough sometimes to move from one level to the other, especially with so many nuances to the mode. Money is also a factor; Ultimate Team can be played without spending additional money, but there’s always a temptation to pay to get access to things you want. MUT makes it easy--too easy?--to drop extra cash.

This guide will take care of all those problems. We will give you the knowledge to go from a MUT newbie all the way to a champion by teaching you the basics. Even better, we’ll add some key pro-tips to make your team the best it can possibly be--and hopefully not put a dent into your wallet. So hop in!

Table of Contents:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Getting Started

When you first log into Madden Ultimate Team, you’ll be asked to pick a team. This will determine your default Home / Away jerseys as well as your stadium. After that, you’ll be asked to select one Play Style; this determines which of the NFL’s Rookie Class will be put on your team at the beginning, along with your Head Coach and 3 other players that complement your Style.

Play Style is a key element of MUT team construction. As you gain more players that fit your chosen Play Style, your team will receive a ratings boost to certain stats.

Play Style – NFL Rookie You Receive

• Short Pass: Browns’ QB Johnny Manziel
• Long Pass: Bills’ WR Sammy Watkins
• Ground and Pound: 49ers’ HB Carlos Hyde
• Speed Run: Titans’ HB Bishop Sankey
• Zone Defense: Packers’ FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
• Man Defense: Bengals’ CB Darqueze Dennard
• Pass Rush: Raiders’ ROLB Khalil Mack
• Run Stuff: Texans’ RE Jadeveon Clowney

PRO TIP - Starting with Ground and Pound is a solid choice. When you start playing Solo Challenges the fastest way to win them is to go with running plays and chewing the clock. While Carlos Hyde may not be the fasted HB (83 SPEED), he does have good ratings in Carrying (87) and Truck (86) that will allow him to grind out first downs.

Every player you get has a host of attributes, from Speed to Strength and dozens of others. A player’s overall rating is a nice quick view into his value, but individual attributes are more important than others for different players. Based upon the Play Style that you choose, your players will receive additional boosts to their attributes.

Play Style – Boosted Attributes

• Short Pass: Pass Block (PBK) and Catch In Traffic (CIT)
• Long Pass: Pass Block (PBK) and Route Running (RTE)
• Ground and Pound: Run Block (RBK) and Trucking (TRK)
• Speed Run: Run Block (RBK) and Elusiveness (ELU)
• Zone Defense: Play Recognition (PRC) and Zone Coverage (ZCV)
• Man Defense: Play Recognition (PRC) and Man Coverage (MCV)
• Pass Rush: Block Shedding (BKS) and Pursuit (PUR)
• Run Stuff: Tackle (TAK) and Block Shedding (BKS)

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Objectives

Once your Play Style has been finalized, you’re taken though a quick tutorial around the menus. You’ll start by going through the new Objectives list, which is set up to help new players to the mode. This will walk you through opening your Welcome Pack, adding an item to a Set (this year’s version of Collections), generating your Best Lineup and getting you started on your first Solo Challenge.

When you’ve completed the first Objective list, a second will appear. Complete all of these except for the one about completing a Head To Head Seasons game.

PRO TIP - The fastest way to lose interest in MUT is to go online with a 60 overall team and get rolled. From personal experience, it would be wise to not go into Head To Head Seasons until your team is around 80 overall and you’ve had time to learn your players.

Great idea--but you might then ask “How do you get to an 80 overall team?”. Here is where you have to realize that creating the Ultimate Team is a marathon, not a sprint. Unless you have vast amounts of real money that you feel like handing to EA, that is. In that case, you can become Usain Bolt in the Olympics. But that’s probably not you.

Coincidentally, this is where your first decision on spending real money comes into play.

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Ultimate Team Currency

Madden Ultimate Team has two types of currency - Points and Coins. Coins are earned in game by playing MUT games and selling cards on the Auction House (more on this later). They can be used to buy packs and cards on the Auction House. Points, on the other hand, are purchased with real money, and can only be used to buy Madden Ultimate Team packs and bundles of packs from the store.

If you want to spend money on Madden Points, well, you’re not alone. This year it is estimated that Madden Ultimate Team will generate over nearly $50 million in revenue for EA.

It’s also recommended that, if you do spend money, do so responsibly. There are people that spend hundreds of dollars on Ultimate Team every year. You don’t want to do that--and you don’t need to. Not with this Tips Guide!

PRO TIP - Spending money in MUT is not necessarily “pay to win”. You can get coins and build a great squad without spending a single dollar. Going into the Solo Challenges menu and playing these will net you coins - and some will even get you cards for your team.

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Solo Challenges

Playing Solo Challenges is the best way to build your Ultimate Team in the early days of your experience without the stress of playing a live opponent online. Training Camp solos are an excellent starting point. There are 33 of them, and each will win you 1,000 coins, a Silver player from the team you defeated, and a Training Camp Collectible that is used towards a Silver version of the teams coach.

This level of solo is pretty easy. The games are on Rookie difficulty and the teams have very low overalls. Simply grind the clock down and play some solid defense and these will be cake.

After the Training Camps, you’re going to want to go through a team’s Regular Season Challenges. Regular Season solos are broken into groups by team, and will cover the first 8 games on the team’s schedule. By completing these eight games ranging from Rookie to All-Pro difficulty, you’ll net yourself 17,000 coins, a Gold rated player from that team, a badge, and player packs plus a Regular Season Collectible. That Collectible goes into a Set that gets you the Gold version of the team’s coach with boosted Play Style points.

PRO TIP - When doing Regular Season challenges, make sure you check the style of the Gold coach you will get at the end. Having Gold Coaches with a Play Style boost will make it a lot easier to complete the Play Style Master Solo Challenges and Item Set, which require a 90 rating to complete. After completing all 32 Style Solos, you’ll receive 95 rated versions of Peyton Manning and Luke Kuechly. BOOM!

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Badges, Item Sets, and Packs

While completing Item Sets, Solo Challenges and Head to Head Season games you’ll notice that part of your reward will contain Badges. These are necessary for completing almost any Item Set. There are 4 levels of Badge; Bronze, Silver, Gold and Elite. You can also trade in 10 of a level to get one badge of a higher level. There are Item Sets located in the Vault to do this.

While in the Vault, there you can see how many badges are required for sets. When traded in, these can get you awesome Flashback players, such as a 1999 version of Champ Bailey, Alternate Jerseys, or even “Quicksell” packs that can get you coin rewards.

PRO TIP - As you beat these challenges, whenever you reach 7,500 coins purchase a Pro Pack from the store. This will get you 1 player that is Gold or better, 2 that are Silver or better, 3 that are Bronze or better, as well as a mix of Team cards (stadiums, playbooks, coaches). Since your team has such a low overall to start with, this will be the fastest way to build up your squad.

After you beat all the Training Camp Solo Challenges and buy a few packs, your team is starting to look better. Now you can being targeting individual players rather than just getting packs.

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Picking players for your Ultimate Team

This is one of the first places that new MUT players start to get lost, so here are some important points about picking players for your squad without breaking the bank.

Fast, But Not Too Fast, QBs - It’s great to have a QB with amazing 90+ speed to run around with when you get in trouble in the pocket, but is that really the best thing? Try getting a better passing QB with a speed rating between 80-85. He’ll still be able to escape the pocket and move around in a jam, and if you run the Read Option, he’ll also have a much higher chance of not being targeted by a defender.

Individual Attributes, Not Overalls - This year, more than ever, individual ratings are more more important that player Overalls. When you are looking at cards on on the Auction House, press X / A to bring up the card information and hit L1 / LT to see all of the players Attributes.

Timing Is Everything - The best deals on cards are when promotions are going on. More people are buying packs, and putting up the extra cards on the marketplace. Everyone will be trying to undercut the last person that put that card up for sale. This is the perfect time to sneak in and get a card under the normal market value. From there, you can sit on the card, and try to re-sell it for a profit when a promotion is not going on. Usually MUT promotions happen on the weekends, so that is the time to strike.

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Key player attributes to make your team amazing

As we said earlier, there are dozens of individual player attributes. How do you know what to look for? Luckily, we’ve done the work for you. Here’s what you need to focus on finding when you’re on the hunt for individual players by position.

Key Positional Attribute Ratings

• QB - Short Accuracy / Deep Accuracy
• HB - Truck / Catch
• FB - Run Block / Impact Block
• TE - Route Running / Run Block
• WR - Catch In Traffic / Speed
• OL - Run Block / Pass Block
• DE - Power/Finesse / Block Shed
• DT - Block Shed / Strength
• ROLB - (3-4 scheme) Power/Finesse Moves / Hit Power, (4-3 scheme) Zone Coverage / Hit Power
• MLB - Tackle / Speed / Agility
• CB - Speed / Zone Coverage
• FS/SS - Pursuit / Hit Power

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Looking for MUT cards

There are two main ways to look for cards you want.

If you’re working to complete an Item Set, you can press X/A to Find Item right from the Set page if a card is missing. This will bring up all the cards in the auction house matching that item.

You can also go into the Auction House from Marketplace page and selecting the Auctions and Trades tile. From there click on Auction House and narrow down your search by Type, Player Name, Quality, Team, Play Style or Program. The Auction House is exactly what it sounds like – a place where you bid on cards against other players with coins. Patience is a virtue here. Or money. Lots and lots of money.

You can acquire a player by either winning an auction or buying them outright with the Buy Now option. From there you can Compare it to other items in your Item Binder (where all your cards / collectibles / badges are held), Equip it as the starter for your team, Extend Contracts in case the player/coach is running low on them, Add To Set, or Auction, Trade or Quicksell it.

You’re on your way!

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Summary

Madden Ultimate Team is an ever-evolving mode. New cards, Solo Challenges, Item Sets, and players are constantly being made available. In addition to that, new Legends such as the recently-added Ahman Green and Otto Graham have made their way into the MUT world. In order to stay on top of these things, it’s a great idea to follow @EASports_MUT on Twitter and taking note of the tiles when you log into Ultimate Team. The top right tile on the Live menu will inform you of updates to the mode.

Madden Ultimate Team has been made more accessible and user-friendly than ever, and it’s a very different way to play the game. Enjoy--and don’t go spending money like a fool!

Jump to Section:

• Page 1: Introduction
• Page 2: Getting Started
• Page 3: Objectives
• Page 4: Ultimate Team Currency
• Page 5: Solo Challenges
• Page 6: Badges, Item Sets, and Packs
• Page 7: Picking Players for your Ultimate Team
• Page 8: Attributes to make your team amazing
• Page 9: Looking for MUT cards
• Page 10: Summary

Ah, what better way to celebrate football rivalry than through the art form of GIFs? EA launched its GIFERATOR application today in honor of Madden NFL 15, and the results cropping up in less than a single days time are proof that the popularity of GIF-making is a force to be reckoned with.

The tools GIFERATOR offers are designed to be football and Madden-centric, but you can bet your precious pigskin that such plebian limitations arent stopping the sheer creative power of Twitter, whose users are sharing their creations with the #maddenGIFERATOR hashtag. Hilarious GIFs have been popping up all day, so I thought itd be fun to gather some of the best non-football ideas and share them here. Like these? Know of some that are better? Share em, or better yet, make your own!

Those are some of the best GIFERATOR creations weve seen, but there are bound to be dozens more out there, possibly with every minute that passes. Im noticing a particular lack of results when it comes to the pink apple orchard backdrop can we get somebody on that ASAP please? Thanks.

And if you're looking for more, check out 12 of your favorite video game characters face swapped with Nicolas Cage and Quiz time: Destiny weapon or racehorse name.

The new generation of consoles has been kind to Madden. While the PS4 and Xbox One version of last fall’s Madden NFL 25 only features slightly upgraded visuals from its last-gen counterparts, its significant gameplay improvements won over hardened football fans. Less than a year later, Madden 15 arrives as a more ambitious effort. There are significant modifications in key areas--analytic data and play-calling among them--that bring a more modern feel to Madden even though they border on information overload. An impressively spruced-up presentation combined with further refinements of the core gameplay results in steady progress for the better--and a really fun game of football most of the time.

Analytics are all the rage in real-world sports these days, and Madden 15 delivers them in a big way. Information is presented to you in real time, and much of it takes place as you’re walking towards the line of scrimmage. A nifty right stick-driven analysis module allows you to judge matchups and check tendencies before you snap the ball, giving you actionable data about potential success points or risky choices. If the right side of your line is struggling to block an overpowering defensive lineman, you’ll know this immediately and can make adjustments; conversely, if your slot receiver has a big speed advantage against a defender, you can tinker with his route and exploit that weakness. Even if you’re just observing, the coaching tool becomes a go-to feature every play. The effect is immediate and positive, as you learn to make sense of what’s presented then employ tactics based on the feedback.

When the whistle is blown, Madden serves up the plays called by the offense and defense so you can determine what worked or failed. This information may seem trivial, but it's vitally important to players yearning to understand how to be more successful. It puts powerful information in your hands; if your opponent is calling the same few defensive plays over and over again, you’ll know and can then plot a counter-attack. Opponent strategies are laid bare--just as they are to observant coaches in the real-world NFL--and your success ultimately comes down to your ability to call the right plays and executing them properly.

Longtime Madden veterans definitely have their work cut out for them in the play-calling department, as the new menu system for selecting your personnel and strategy takes some time to process, especially when analytics are served up at the same time. Madden is more intent than ever on making play recommendations, and now that it backs them up with quantitative reasons for its suggestions, it feels like you’re the head coach watching an offensive or defensive coordinator sending in the plays. It’s very easy let Madden pick every play for you, and veterans of the series may resent the need to do more work to drill down into formations and specific calls. Conversely, newcomers are given a much clearer idea of what may be a good idea to run and why. Regardless, the navigation here is a drastic change from a decade-old template. It's easy to read because the visuals are extremely large and in your face, but a more toned-down approach would have made the system feel less busy.

Offensive tempo is another big part of modern football, and the most welcome improvement to play-calling comes in the form of new settings that let you tweak the pace of your games. Madden NFL 15 features two Tempo toggles--‘No Huddle’ and ‘Chew Clock’ (in addition to the default of ‘Normal’). ‘No Huddle’ makes your offense get to the line quickly and forces the defense to do the same, while ‘Chew Clock’ automatically brings the play clock down to 10 seconds as you break the huddle. There are clear advantages and disadvantages to both settings. If you go no huddle and speed up the pace, you can wear down defenses and catch them off guard. However, you can’t change your personnel while doing so, and are limited in the variety of plays you can call. On the other hand, chewing the clock eliminates those awkward late-game “just standing around to kill time” moments everyone hates. The downside is the defense gets time to rest and there are precious few seconds to make any adjustments. These nifty additions are easy to turn on and off as the situation changes, and add a good deal of strategy to every drive.

Of course, analytics and play-calling improvements aren’t worth much if the core gameplay doesn't hold its own. Fortunately, Madden builds on its new-gen debut. The offensive and defensive line play continues to improve, as your ability to find running lanes and hit them feels true-to-life. Momentum and physics prevent your ability to slash and cut into holes as quickly as you may like, but they resemble how real players move and react. Running up the middle seems a bit easier this season, and it’s definitely tougher to net those big yards on outside tosses and stretch runs.

Passing remains a challenge, however. Interceptions are still too prevalent, especially in some one-on-one situations where receivers don't fight for the ball and corners have too much of an advantage. This can be counterbalanced, of course; it just takes practice and impeccable timing to consistently complete throws. There are times when you’ll swear you made the pass at the right moment to an open receiver only to be foiled by a linebacker or defensive back. Simply put, Madden gives no quarter to sloppy passes--you will be punished for mistakes.

When you take a step back from the field, it’s easy to spot some nice improvements to the overall presentation as well. Madden 15 looks and sounds better in every way, from the opening montages to the television-style stat graphics to the cutaways of coaches and individual players. Stadiums have been upgraded too, incorporating much better jumbotrons that finally replace the outdated ones Madden has been saddled with for years. The player models are noticeably improved, and many stars are immediately recognizable in the way that they run or throw. Stadium crowds are more alive, and the lack of in-game cutscenes in favor of showing the action “live” is a breath of fresh air.

The heart of Madden remains its Connected Franchise Mode, where you and your friends can be a player, coach, or owner. While little has changed at the high level from the past couple of seasons, there are dozens of nuanced modifications that longtime fans will notice--for better or worse. The most drastic is the elimination of Practice in favor of a Game Plan, a feature that allows you to target various metrics such as Confidence to improve player attributes and increase XP. Its implementation is a bit clunky--the menus don’t make it readily apparent how influential your decisions are, and you’re never quite sure if you’ve completed your tasks for the week--and the overall results are difficult to measure. On the plus side, things happening around the league (such as your team’s upcoming schedule) are referenced on-screen more often during games, adding desperately needed context to your experience. Overall, Connected Franchise Mode remains a deep mode for players online and off; every major sports game should have similar experiences.

Naturally, the revenue-generating Ultimate Team mode--a combination of fantasy football and card collecting that lets you take a custom-built team online against other players--gets more attention every year. This season, it’s evident EA wants to bring in as many players as possible. Menus have been dramatically simplified, and there are less “walls” around the various aspects of the mode. Newcomers to the mode are given better tools to navigate, while veterans will appreciate the consolidation of actions.

Madden NFL 15 does a lot of things right. The overall presentation makes a nice leap from last year’s new-gen debut, and while longtime players may have some challenges with new play-calling options, the analytical data at your fingertips is a welcome addition. Connected Franchise Mode offers deep experiences for every kind of player, and the core gameplay continues to improve. Despite its challenging passing game and sometimes-clunky menus, Madden NFL 15 will make fans happy this football season.

This game was reviewed on PS4.

Introduction

It can be easy to be intimidated by Madden NFL 25. Simply put, it’s massive. You can run an entire franchise, coach a team, be an individual player, create an online fantasy team, and lots more – so where do you start?

No matter how you want to ultimately play Madden NFL 25, a few simple steps will put you in position to get a lot of enjoyment out of it. While it’s tempting to just jump right into a season or head online to take on the world, chances are that you’ll wind up getting crushed if you skip out on a few fundamental building blocks. There is a lot that’s new this season, and if you take the time to learn the basics you’ll be in much better position whether you’re playing your neighbor across the street or the country.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Skills Trainer Drills
• Playing The Game
• Progressing Players
• Owner Mode
• Running The Team

Skills Trainer Drills

The first place to start is the all-new Skills Trainer drills. These will not only teach you the basics of playing the game, but introduce you to some of the wickedly effective tools at your disposal. Best of all, you’ll learn what works best for you and what doesn’t. If you’re a Giants fan, chances are you’re not going to run the Read Option with Eli Manning. On the other hand, if you’re the 49ers with Colin Kaepernick or the Redskins with RGIII, knowing how to execute multiple play-fake options out of these sets will be the key to victory.

The most important virtue in the Skills Trainer is patience! These drills are quick and easily repeatable until you get the hang of things--and if you’re able to succeed and get Gold on them, an Ultimate Team card is your reward. After a few rounds, you’ll realize the value of the drills.

It’s also important to try and use the right teams in the Skills Trainer based on what you’re doing. A top running back like the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson is a great weapon in the running drills, while the aforementioned dual threats like Colin Kaepernick or Robert Griffin III will be tons of fun to use in the Read Option and Triple Option drills. You’re not tied to anyone at all--so mix and match, experiment and have fun while you learn the intricacies of the game.

Remember that you don’t need to get a Gold performance in all of the drills unless you want to get the Ultimate Team cards. The purpose of the trainer is to help you learn what’s at your disposal.

Running

Acceleration Burst – This one sounds easy but a couple of the plays get tricky. Your goal is to get in the end zone, and most of the time you’ll just hit the right trigger turbo boost and get right in. But one or two plays, you’ll see a linebacker right in your way. Make a simple direction switch with the left stick to tuck inside him and you’ll be golden. The reward for gold performance is a Chris Johnson card.

Precision Modifiers – This is a great one to practice a few times, because you learn all about the new left trigger-powered Precision Modifier moves like trucks, jukes, spins, and dives. Be sure to pay attention to which move is being asked for, as the game will switch the order around to keep you on your toes. The reward for gold performance is a Walter Payton card.

Read Option – Here’s where things get really interesting. The Read Option (which we talk about in more detail later on) is a killer set to run out of with the right kind of team; the 49ers, Redskins, and Eagles are three good choices. It’s also, in many ways, its own Madden mini-game. In a matter of 4 seconds after the snap, you need to make 2 quick decisions, both of which are detailed in the tutorial before you practice. It seems intimidating at first, but a few go-rounds and you’ll know what keys to look for. The reward for gold performance is a Randall Cunningham card.

Triple Option – Oh, baby! The Triple Option is the Read Option “mini-game” on steroids, with three times as many decisions to make in half the time. Once again, it will seem daunting. Spend 15-20 minutes repeating these plays a few times, though, and you’ll get a feel for what to look for. Ultimately, you either hand to the FB right after the snap, keep it yourself as the QB, or toss to the RB. Again, it’s a lot to handle at first, but it’s worth it to spend the time. You will actually start to like it, too! The reward for gold performance is a Colin Kaepernick card.

Oklahoma Offense – Unlike the other Skills Trainer drills, you don’t really learn a lot here. Your goal is simply to power your way into the end zone, and you need to destroy an opponent to get there. Using the left trigger modifier, you can usually precision truck your way through the defender – although a spin here and there works well too – to gold. The reward for gold performance is an Adrian Peterson card.

Passing

Pass Trajectories – Nothing new for Madden 25 here; pass trajectories have been around for years. Toss a few lobs and bullets then move along. The easiest Gold you’ll get! The reward for gold performance is a Peyton Manning card.

Total Control Passing – Also not new for Madden 25; this is all about leading your receivers to the inside or outside. It’s definitely a good skill to acquire for real games, since the ability to get your receiver exactly where you want him to be in a tough spot is the difference between a completion and an interception. The reward for gold performance is a Dan Marino card.

User Catching – This is a bit tricky to master but definitely worthwhile to nail down for real games. Once you throw the ball, tap ‘B’ (360) or ‘Circle’ (PS3) to take control of the receiver. Next, move him into the passing area and hold ‘Y’ (360) or ‘Triangle’ (PS3) to catch it. It takes several goes at it to get there. The reward for gold performance is a Cris Carter card.

Defense

Ball Hawk – Using this skill in-game will pay major dividends, especially against careless opponents. Interceptions are still high-powered in Madden 25, and learning how to get in position then make a pick by holding‘Y’ (360) or ‘Triangle’ (PS3) is the most effective defensive tactic at your disposal. The reward for gold performance is a Deion Sanders card.

Oklahoma Defense – Conversely, there’s not a lot of value you’ll get out of this one, as these are all skills you’ve used in seasons past. It’s also a bit tough, as you’ll need to react very quickly to whichever direction the ballcarrier is going to prevent him from getting in the end zone. The reward for gold performance is an Ndamukong Suh card.

Pre-Play

Offensive Hot Routes – If you’re not calling hot routes on a regular basis, you’re simply not paying attention. As we describe a little later on, the difference between succeeding and failing when passing is reading what the defensive backs are giving you, then taking advantage of it. This drill gives you everything you need to learn the right routes to call – make sure you’re paying attention. The reward for gold performance is an Aaron Rodgers card.

Defensive Individual Adjustments – While not as critical as on offense, defensive hot routes are very important at key moments when you’ve been caught off guard or recognize what’s coming. Being able to set up a Spy or QB Contain, for example, on a running quarterback can help when things are coming apart. The reward for gold performance is a Derrick Thomas card.

Offensive Audibles – No matter how terrific of a play you think you called, there’s a great chance the defense is lined up well to stop it. Changing the play at the line – especially when you stay in the same set – can help you turn a potential loss into a first down. The reward for gold performance is a Dick Vermeil card.

Defensive Audibles – Just as important as on offense, defensive audibles will get you out of (or into) trouble quickly. If you’re all-in on a running play but see a slot receiver covered by a linebacker, for example, move into a zone to cover yourself a little better. But be careful! Sometimes sticking with what you’ve called is the right choice. The reward for gold performance is a Tom Landry card.

Playing The Game

Running Game Strategies

The best part about the running game in Madden this season is that it’s totally legitimate. Unlike last season where interior running – i.e. running in between holes in the offensive line versus running outside to the left or right of the tackles – was a frustrating series of entanglements between you and your linemen, this season one of the big strengths of Madden is taking the ball up the middle. Some of the most powerful, consistent plays you can run are variations of Off Tackle and Dive; generally speaking, with a left trigger-powered Precision Truck move mixed in you’re going to get 4-5 yards or more on average. This isn’t necessarily as sexy as throwing bombs all over the field, but that’s not what we’re going for. Generating positive yardage regularly on the ground on first and second downs will win you the battle of time of possession and wear down your opponent’s defense – which sets you up for even bigger gains up the middle.

Read Option/Triple Option - While Read and Triple Option are not new this season, they’ve both been highlighted with indicators that make them easier to execute. The biggest challenge to a defense that is facing these options is knowing what’s coming – just like the real NFL. The most effective use of these options is mixing up the plays with the formation. For example, Shotgun-Normal is a formation that the option can come out of, and calling a play-action out of that after running a few regular options can be devastatingly effective. You can’t rely on nothing but options when playing the CPU or a real person – no matter what, they’ll get picked up on after a bit – but in key spots, using play-action or straight-up options will have defenders on their heels and put you in a winning position.

Passing Game Strategies

Passing remains much the same from last year, which is both a blessing and a curse. One thing is for sure – you will throw interceptions. Madden punishes poor decision making and if you heave the ball into double-coverage or to a well-covered receiver, only bad things will happen. It’s OK to throw the ball away (click on the right stick) if you don’t spot an open receiver! Nothing changes the momentum of a game faster than a pick-six.

Backed off DBs: If the defensive backs are not playing tight on your receiver (i.e. they’re lined up 8-10 yards off) then chances are that you can hit your WR on a curl. What if you didn’t call a curl? No problem! Call a hot route for your receiver to a curl, then throw the ball to him the moment that he starts to turn around. Unless the safety is coming over to help – which does happen, so watch out! – chances are that you’ll connect for a nice gain. This doesn’t work 100% of the time – and Madden vets will pick up on it quickly – but is one thing to look for on a regular basis. If you don’t abuse it, you’ll find it especially helpful in tight spots.

Close up DBs - Conversely, if you see a DB lined up very closely to your receiver, this is an opportunity to go big. If you didn’t call a streak, hot route to it. You’ll need to carefully watch the interaction between CB and WR at the snap. If your receiver is able to quickly break past his defender, you’ll have a second or two where he’s both wide open and moving fast – a recipe for big yards! Throw the ball to him in that window, and try to lead the receiver a little bit to the sidelines if you can to avoid the safety that’s probably trying to make his way over to cover him. Just like everything in Madden, this doesn’t always work – but if you mix your plays up nicely, you give yourself a better chance.

Reading The Defense

You don’t need to be the equivalent of an NFL coach to examine what’s happening. When you move to the line of scrimmage pre-snap, take a minute and look at what you’re facing. Even if you don’t know the real difference between a 4-3, Nickel, or Quarter, you can quickly get a feel for what your opponent is doing. Are there a lot of guys bunched together near the line of scrimmage? Chances are that’s a defense that’ll be loaded against the run. Are there 5 defensive backs stretched out from sideline to sideline? That’s probably a defense primed to defend a pass. Often it’s not super-easy to figure out what the defense is doing, but you will start to get a feel for what your best opportunity for success is if you pay attention to past results.

Playing Defense Stragies

One thing you’ll want to master is Ball Hawk. Cornerbacks are very effective in Madden 25, and even if they’re in single coverage they often have an advantage over the receiver. Start off most plays as a defensive tackle – allowing your defensive backs and linebackers to read the play – then switch to the cornerback covering the receiver if the ball is thrown in that direction. You can ruin your opponent’s day by simply letting the corner maintain his coverage then hitting ‘Y’ or ‘Triangle’ when the ball gets near him. Chances are you’ll make the pick and change the dynamics of the game.

Man vs. Zone – Getting pressure is extremely difficult in Madden unless you blitz, but blitzing is risky because you’ll leave receivers open. The best defense in Madden is still Man coverage, and if you match up your formation with the offense, that’s your best chance for success. For example, if the offense comes out in a 3-wide set, make sure you choose a Nickel or Dime in order to get a competent defender on the extra receiver. Madden 25 does a nice job letting you know if a play is Man or Zone once you choose the formation – so make use of it. Zones can be effective on occasion in order to mix things up, but when push comes to shove, Man coverage wins in Madden.

Progressing Players

Being a player, coach, or owner is the heart of Madden 25. As weeks go by and goals are met, you can improve player attributes. Take advantage of it! While there are certain attributes all players should have as much of as possible (such as Speed), here are some tips on the best ways to use Player Progression to maximize each player’s effectiveness.

QB – Throw Power is huge in Madden, as those with a lot of it can simply make more throws than those without. Combine that with Deep Accuracy, and your QB will be a big-time weapon.

RB – Speed is a big advantage, especially if you’re running outside; without it, there’s no reason to do anything but head up the middle. Carry is huge as well – everyone hates fumblers.

WR – Route Running is the difference between good and great receivers, which along with the Release attribute means these guys get separation.

TE – A good Run Blocking tight end will spring big yards, and those who can also Catch in Traffic can contribute in both aspects of offense.

OL – These are simple – Run Blocking and Pass Blocking are all that really matter here. Make them as high as possible.

DE – Acceleration will help get pressure on a quarterback, while improving either the Finesse Move or Power Move (whichever one is higher to start with) can make your lineman brutally efficient.

DT – Combining Block Shedding and Power Move attributes for your interior linemen will help combat inside running.

LOLB – Tackling is a key attribute here, along with Zone Coverage. Improving both helps in both run and pass defense.

MLB – The QB of the defense is at his best when his Hit Power and Tackle are high; people will think twice before crossing through his area.

ROLB – Strong Hit Power and Finesse Moves will put this key player in the best position to wreak havoc.

SS – Tackle is a big one here, since the Strong Safety is often the last man between a runner and the end zone. Zone Coverage is important too, along with Hit Power.

FS – Zone Coverage is huge for Free Safety, along with Catch – especially since Ball Hawk can so easily be executed at this position.

Owner Mode

Choosing an Owner Type – New this year is Owner, and you have the option which kind to be. There’s no wrong decision you can make here, although different types of owners give you different options. If you simply take on the persona of a real-world person (all of which are available) you’ll inherit their exact situation today; choosing Jerry Jones means you’re sitting on a massive pile of cash in a brand new stadium, while picking Alex Spanos in San Diego brings all of the stadium problems along with it. If you create an owner, you can do so by being a Former Player (which gives you a jump start on Legacy points but no cash), a Lifelong Fan (no cash either but popular with the fans), or a Mogul (tons of cash but a wary team and fanbase). Money is important as years go on if you want to rebuild, relocate, and/or hire great support staff.

Navigating Finances – Speaking of money, it will be as important as you need it to be. The only way you can ever “lose” in Owner Mode is by going bankrupt, which is really hard to do. As long as you’re winning games, fans will flock to the stadium. If the prices for all of your merchandise are within reason, they’ll get purchased. While it is fun to tinker with the prices of individual items like jerseys and French Fries, unless you get completely out of whack one way or the other, you’ll be making plenty of money. After all, this is the NFL.

Managing Your Staff – Some teams are run by high-functioning executives, and others aren’t. The nice thing about Owner mode is that it’s obvious right from the start where things are going well and where they’re not. Your challenge, of course, is figuring out what’s most important. Fan happiness? Marketing? Merchandise? Money is most important when you’re looking to sign players and coaches or build stadiums. The happier you make everyone, the more money you’ll have. Winning is the best way to make the needle move in the right direction; without that, you’re going to have a hard time.

Your Stadium – Some teams are in brand new buildings, others are not. Depending on what team you choose, you could be in a terrible situation (like San Diego) or living in paradise (such as Dallas). If you plan on sticking around awhile, it pays to improve parking and fan sections sooner rather than later. If you want to bolt for another city – which is tons of fun – then ignore everything and focus on winning. After all, new stadiums are very expensive even when the new city helps out. Charge a little more for everything and try to make a Super Bowl run. Building a state-of-the-art stadium is a massive investment – but worth it!

Running The Team

Weekly Practices – Take advantage of weekly practices, as they’re a good mine. Not only will it give you a chance to improve your own stick skills, but you’ll get valuable XP for your players in addition to what you get in the games. Best of all, whether you’ve got a few minutes or an hour, there’s a practice scenario for you – and they all give you the same 2000 XP.

Playing The Game

Goals – Winning is always the most important thing, but you can still help yourself out by completing various goals along the way. Goals are set up at multiple levels – for individual players there are weekly, seasonal, and milestone (career) goals. Meeting weekly and seasonal goals get extra XP to be used in progressing the player, but since everyone on your team has their own unique goals to reach it can be challenging to keep track. The best advice is to simply use your best players to the best of their abilities and, naturally, win. Most of the XP will naturally happen.

Goals for owners are different, as there’s no XP that will help out. Instead, as an owner, you want to make the Hall of Fame – and to do that, you need to maximize Legacy score. As you would expect, winning is everything. From having 12, 14, or 16 win seasons to multiple championships, nothing makes a Legacy score increase like banking victories.