Madden Ratings Update: Week 4
A new player breaks into the elite ranks with a 99 OVR.
Madden NFL 19
Welcome, welcome, to newest member among the Madden elite with a 99 OVR. Everyone, say hello to the personification of production and defensive dynamo, the Oakland Raiders Chicago Bears’ Khalil Mack.
Mack started the season with a very respectable 95 OVR. Already a defense with some talented players, the Bears full potential was unlocked after trading for Mack. That team clearly saw that in Mack, as confirmed by giving him the extension he was looking for immediately, possibly before they even had his jersey size.
The most noteworthy change in his rating is his Power Move, which started as a 92 and has climbed all the way up to a 96 after just four games.
This is just the latest shift in the elites of Madden 19. With Mack in, that leaves the 99 OVRs populated by mostly defensive players after Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers made exits earlier in the season. The remaining 99 OVRs outside of Mack are Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Luke Kuechly, Antonio Brown, and Rob Gronkowski.
Bears fans have a 99 OVR on their roster now. It must only be icing on the cake after watching a Packers QB exit.
Let’s take a look at some of the other movers in this week’s ratings update.
Moving on Up
The Los Angeles Rams ran up 38 points on the once extremely stout Minnesota Vikings defense. A great deal of that production came from Cooper Kupp exposing the lack of attention Minnesota placed on him. Kupp racked up nine receptions, 162 yards, and two TDs. For that, he gets a ratings bump.
The Dallas Cowboys offense hasn’t been consistent, so they turned to the best player on their roster. Zeke went ballistic against the Detroit Lions, rushing for 152 yards and receiving another 88 through the air with a touchdown. He’s not only climbing the Madden ratings, he’s also leading the NFL in rushing yards.
It may have come on a loss, but Harris was outstanding for the Denver Broncos. Mahomes was simply unreal (again), but Harris was all over Tyreek Hill. Eliminating Hill’s explosiveness might have been the reason the Broncos were even in a winnable position. If Harris keeps this up, look for the Broncos to send more pressure up front and for most of their defensive roster to earn some ratings boosts.
Moving on Down
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense just hasn’t been good this year. There’s been a lack of pressure and some blown coverage. And regardless of what side you stand on, missing a dynamic player on offense like Le’Veon Bell is going to hamper any team’s ability to control clock while needing to score 40-plus points to win. The team simply needs more stops, and Watt is the guy to lead them. There is hope here, but for now, Watt gets a deduction.
He did get a TD, but 34 yards on four receptions aren’t the numbers the Browns were looking for from their top WR. He was getting fed, but Landry just wasn’t getting any separation in a very winnable game. I wouldn’t worry, though. A WR with this much talent getting peppered with targets never stays down in the ratings for too long.
Fitz is clearly not 100 percent. That’s the only reason a legend like him drops possible scores. It’s been a struggle for the Arizona Cardinals. Fitzgerald now has just eight receptions and 65 yards over the last three games. If the Cards are looking for defenses to respect the pass so David Johnson doesn’t face as many stacked boxes, then getting Fitzgerald healthy and on track is the only way.
–Daniel Williams (Follow Dan on Twitter @thatDanW)
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