Ultimate Team Newsletter October 22, 2021
The season-long, weekly blueprint to navigating Ultimate Team updates, breakdowns, walkthroughs and releases.
Madden NFL 22
Happy Friday MUT Fam! I’m TJ aka the Young Alge Crumpler aka the Young bye week and this is another high-flying, action-bringing jam-packed MUT newsletter. Whether you’re an Ultimate Team rookie, a MUT OG or somewhere in between, there’s something here for you.
Every week we’re bringing you a robust breakdown of item releases, game updates, legend reveals and much more. Let’s get to it!
In This Edition
- Release Recap
- Team of The Week
- LTDs
- Heroes
- Player of The Week
- Elites
- Wildcard Wednesday: Flashbacks
- Limited Editions
- Most Feared: Release #2
- Team of The Week
- Legends Reveal
- TJ’s Top Five: Legends So Far
- Creator Content of The Week
Release Recap
Team of The Week
- LTD
- Vernon Butler Jr. (93 OVR - DT)
- (WEEK 6): 10/13/2019 | Buccaneers vs Panthers | Final Score: 26-37 | Stats: 2 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles.
- Heroes
- Vernon Davis (92 OVR - TE)
- (WEEK 6): 10/13/2013 | Cardinals vs 49ers | Final Score: 20-32 | Stats: 180 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns.
- Lem Barney (92 OVR - CB)
- (WEEK 6): 11/12/1967 | Lions vs Vikings | Final Score: 10-10 | Stats: 1 interceptions, 1 TD.
- Player of The Week
- Jonathan Taylor (92 OVR - HB)
- (WEEK 6): 10/17/2021 | Texans vs Colts | Final Score: 3-31 | Stats: 158 total yards, 2 TDs.
- Elites
- CeeDee Lamb (88 OVR - WR)
- (WEEK 6): 10/17/2021 | Cowboys vs Patriots | Final Score: 35-29 | Stats: 35 yard TD reception in OT to win the game. 149 receiving yards, 2 TDs.
- Matthew Wright (88 OVR - K)
- (WEEK 6): 10/17/2021 | Dolphins vs Jaguars | Final Score: 20-23 | Stats: 53 yard game winning field goal.
- KJ Osborn (85 OVR - WR)
- (WEEK 6): 10/17/2021 | Vikings vs Panthers | Final Score: 34-28 | Stats: 27 yard TD reception in OT to win the game.
- Markus Golden (85 OVR - ROLB)
- (WEEK 6): 10/17/2021 | Cardinals vs Browns | Final Score: 37-14 | Stats: 5 tackles, 1 FF, 2 sacks.
- Darrell Henderson Jr. (81 OVR - HB)
- (WEEK 6): 10/17/2021 | Rams vs Giants | Final Score: 38-11 | Stats: 107 total yards and 2 TDs.
- TJ Watt (81 OVR - LOLB)
- (WEEK 6): 10/17/2021 | Seahawks vs Steelers | Final Score: 20-23 | Stats: 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF, 3 PD.
Wildcard Wednesday: Flashbacks
- A.J. Green (WR, 91 OVR)
- Green caught a touchdown in a Cardinals jersey Sunday, but it’s impossible to forget the dominance he flashed in Cincinnati! He was a 1,000-yard receiver in six of his first seven NFL seasons. This item is a great tribute to prime AJG with a 91 speed, jumping and spectacular catch and 92 deep route running. He’s also six-foot-four, so enjoy chucking it downfield to him!
- Carson Wentz (QB, 90 OVR)
- Who didn’t love prime Carson Wentz, other than the team playing him? His prime was cut short by injuries but he flashed some incredible moments in Philadelphia and was a clear fan-favorite. One of my favorite things about Wentz was his mobility, and the 79 speed does leave something to be desired here, but the passing stats are all solid, namely a 90 throw power and 89 deep accuracy.
- DeSean Jackson (WR, 90 OVR)
- I’ll cut to the chase: 92 speed. Jackson’s calling card has been the deep ball, and his 92 speed on this item is solid. Jackson is a marvel on the field, because despite playing well into his 30’s with speed being a focal point of his game, Jackson is still an effective player in his roles. In 2014 with Washington, the team whose jersey he dons on this item, Jackson totaled 1,169 yards averaging more than 20 yards per catch.
- Justin Houston (LOLB, 90 OVR)
- 22 sacks in one season … unreal. Houston did that in 2014 with the Chiefs, a flash of what could have been if he avoided injuries. In Houston’s two full seasons with Kansas City he totaled 32 sacks. This item is a well-balanced pass rush piece. Houston’s rocking 85 speed and 84 strength to go along with 90 block shedding and 89 power moves.
- Kyle Van Noy (ROLB, 90 OVR)
- Van Noy was a defensive staple on the New England teams of Tom Brady’s golden years as a Patriot. Van Noy won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, totaling 15.5 sacks and 221 tackles from 2017-2019. This is a versatile item with a solid 88 power moves for pass rushing, but also an 87 tackle and 88 play recognition for stopping runs and pass coverage.
LTDs
- Justin Herbert (QB, LAC, 93 OVR)
- SHEEEEEEESHHHHH this item does the second-year QB justice. While Herbert is cementing himself as a staple in the NFL’s elite for years to come, this item will be tormenting defenses in MUT. His 93 throw power/85 speed/92 throw on the run combo is lethal.
- Byron Jones (CB, MIA, 93 OVR)
- Jones, a safety-turned-cornerback, has been standing out since his rookie year in 2015. This item is immediately an elite pass coverage item in MUT. Jones comes in with a 91 speed, 89 man coverage, 91 press and 92 zone coverage. In addition to the impressive attributes, Jones is six feet tall, which is undoubtedly on the tall side for a CB, but combined with 91 speed, means he’ll be giving opposing QBs headaches in MUT.
Most Feared: Release #2
- LTDs
- Anthony Barr (94 OVR - LOLB)
- Brandon Marshall (94 OVR - WR)
- Champions
- Ray Lewis (93 OVR - MLB)
- Randy Moss (93 OVR - WR)
- Lawrence Taylor (93 OVR - ROLB)
- Rob Gronkowski (93 OVR - TE)
- Heroes
- Brandon Graham (90 OVR - LE)
- Trey Flowers (90 OVR - RE)
- Joey Bosa (90 OVR - LOLB)
- Calvin Ridley (90 OVR - WR)
- Eric Rowe (90 OVR - SS)
- Joel Bitonio (90 OVR - LG)
- Marshon Lattimore (90 OVR - CB)
- Brandin Cooks (90 OVR - WR)
Legends Reveal
Maurkice Pouncey (Center | Boss: 93 OVR | LTD: 94 OVR)
Pouncey retired after the 2020 season, signing off on an impressive 10-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was drafted 18th-overall out of Florida in 2010, and lived up to his draft selection. Pouncey started his career hot, starting all 16 games and cementing himself as an integral part of the Steelers’ Super Bowl run. Pouncey was one of the most disciplined linemen of his time, averaging fewer than three penalties per season over his career. Pouncey was clearly a fan-favorite, too, he made the Pro Bowl nine times.
Broderick Thomas (ROLB | Boss: 93 OVR | LTD: 94 OVR)
I’ll admit, I had to look into Thomas’ career when learning he’s a Madden legend this weekend. What I learned is that he is definitely a legend. It started at Nebrasksa, where he is considered to be one of their best defensive players of all time. Despite being originally played out-of-position in the NFL, Thomas shined. In his second year in the NFL, he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in sacks and QB pressures. In his third NFL season, he forced a whopping seven fumbles, sacked a quarterback 11 times and made 174 tackles. After his time with Tampa, Thomas had brief stints with Detroit, Minnesota and Dallas, capping off a nine-year NFL career.
Code Giveaways:
*These are one time use codes, and are available only on a first-come, first-serve basis.
PlayStation:
1. HJ6M-EGN8-LXP9
2. TLLJ-C5ND-98HH
3. M64F-KKN3-27GN
Xbox:
1. PK9Y9-WWP6P-M2JY9-KCFXJ-V2WVZ
2. KF7JG-9T274-WMDFX-JQDHY-W3C6Z
3. WQXVC-9G7MR-H2VMQ-243JR-GVGCZ
TJ’s Top Five: Legends So Far
We’re nearly seven weeks through the NFL season and although there’s no Saturday pro football, we get a chance to peep the legend drops. Here’s my top five this week, my favorite legend items in MUT!
I’m taking Rice over Andre Johnson (though I’ll be far from disappointed with either…) because Rice has access to both slot and outside apprentice superstar abilities, Johnson has only the latter. Rice’s 92 speed is in the top-tier of MUT items and his portfolio of supporting attributes is equally as impressive. The GOAT has a goated MUT item, what did you expect?
Ground-and-pound football isn’t even close to dead when you have a juiced item at RB such as Martin. The straight-line running is top-notch with Martin’s 91 speed, 93 acceleration and 92 break tackle. He can also hurt you in the open field with a 91 juke move, 82 trucking and 90 change of direction. Of course, a great MUT RB wouldn’t be great without a bit of versatility in the passing game, and his 76 short route running is one of the better ratings among RBs.
3) Charles Woodson (CB, 93 OVR)
I hear all the time about the importance of fast cornerbacks, and this Woodson item really puts it in perspective. He’s got a 92 speed, one of the best ratings in MUT, tacked on to an elite coverage profile: 92 man coverage and press, 93 zone coverage. Woodson is also six-foot-one with a 93 jump rating, so good luck completing anything when targeting his item.
2) Ted Hendricks (ROLB, 93 OVR)
I absolutely love this Hendricks item. It feels like unicorn-level stuff on the field! For starters, he’s an elite pass rusher: 91 power moves, 83 finesse moves, 93 block shedding. In addition to those numbers, he boasts 88 strength and 89 speed, two impressive numbers. In addition to THOSE, his run defense is spectacular, with a 93 tackle rating, 94 hit power and 93 pursuit. Lastly, putting everything together, Ted Hendricks is six-foot-seven. MUT Unicorn!
1) Michael Vick (QB, 93 OVR)
Alright, I saved the real Madden unicorn for last. What else did you expect? After all, I am the Young Alge Crumpler. I’ll keep this short and sweet, there’s not much I need to say here. Vick’s rocking a 93 speed and 93 throw power, he’s a human (or virtual?) joystick with the football and can sling it with the best QBs in the game.
Creator Content of The Week
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