How well do you know the team you play with on Madden? Perhaps an equally important question is this: How well do you know the team your rivals run with? In case you're a football savant, you may not know the ins and outs of all 32 rosters, or even the marquee players you need to shut down in order to win.
This a brief, but informative look at each NFL team in Madden 25. Keep in mind, these ratings can change via roster updates as the season progresses.
(Player and team ratings are per Madden 25 and are listed in alphabetical order by nickname. Click here to see ratings for every player.)
Chicago Bears - 85 Overall
Top Players
WR - Brandon Marshall (95)
CB - Charles Tillman (95)
ROLB - Lance Briggs (94)
Top Rookie
RT - Jordan Mills (70)
Summary
The Bears are still powered by their defense. The team has five starters with overall ratings of 90 or above. What's even better is that these stars are sprinkled throughout every level of the defense.
Though it has improved from last year, the offensive line is still the weak link in the Bears' chain. Only newly acquired left tackle Jermon Bushrod (86) has an overall rating above 80.
Cincinnati Bengals - 81 overall
Top Players
DT - Geno Atkins (97)
WR - A.J. Green (94)
RT - Andre Smith (92)
Top Rookie
HB - Giovani Bernard (75)
Summary
The Bengals’ defensive line is among the best in Madden 25. Atkins is the star, but Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson also help to make this group dangerous.
If you throw in ROLB James Harrison, the Bengals can terrorize opposing quarterbacks.
Buffalo Bills - 73 overall
Top Players
FS - Jairus Byrd (95)
LE - Mario Williams (92)
HB - C.J. Spiller (92)
Top Rookie
QB - E.J. Manuel (74)
Summary
Buffalo has a great defensive line. Williams is the best of a vicious unit, but there isn’t much to cheer about on the other levels of the defense, aside from cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
Though Manuel may come through for you in year two of your Connected Franchise, he and Kevin Kolb are the only options at quarterback.
Denver Broncos - 89 overall
Top Players
LOLB - Von Miller (97)
QB - Peyton Manning (97)
LT - Ryan Clady (94)
Top Rookie
DT - Sylvester Williams (76)
Summary
With Manning at the helm and weapons like Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, the Broncos will move the ball through the air.
Their defensive line isn’t as stout as Broncos fans may hope, but most of the roster is solid.
Cleveland Browns - 75 overall
Top Players
LT - Joe Thomas (97)
C - Alex Mack (91)
CB - Joe Haden (91)
Top Rookie
ROLB - Barkevious Mingo (76)
Summary
The jury is still out on Brandon Weeden as a quarterback. It doesn’t help that he doesn’t have a great group of wide receivers to throw to, though Josh Gordon is promising.
The best game plan with the Browns is to pound Trent Richardson to set up the play-action pass.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 81 overall
Top Players
CB - Darrelle Revis (97)
LG - Carl Nicks (95)
WR - Vincent Jackson (92)
Top Rookie
CB - Johnthan Banks (72)
Summary
The real-life Buccaneers were terrible against the pass in 2012. They are set up for an improvement in Madden 25, though. The additions of Revis and safety Dashon Goldson will at least bolster the secondary on the virtual field.
Arizona Cardinals - 74 overall
Top Players
LE - Calais Campbell (93)
WR - Larry Fitzgerald (92)
P - Dave Zastudil (91)
Top Rookie
LG - Jonathan Cooper (83)
Summary
Carson Palmer is now in Arizona to get Fitzgerald the ball, but the team lacks a running back to give the offense balance. Rashard Mendenhall is the starter and rated just an 80 overall. The defense is only good in spots, but weak as a unit.
It’ll take a diehard Cards fan or a masochist to play with this squad in Connected Franchise mode.
San Diego Chargers - 73 overall
Top Players
FS - Eric Weddle (96)
P - Mike Scifres (89)
ROLB - Dwight Freeney (88)
Top Rookie
RT - D.J. Fluker (78)
Summary
The times when the Bolts were one of the deadliest Madden squads have passed. Now Philip Rivers is an immobile QB without a good offensive line to protect him. Fluker is a rookie, but his 78 overall is the highest mark of anyone in the group.
The defense has stars like Weddle and Freeney, but there are far too many 70-overall ratings to consistently challenge the better offenses.
Kansas City Chiefs - 76 overall
Top Players
CB - Brandon Flowers (94)
HB - Jamaal Charles (94)
LB - Derrick Johnson (93)
Top Rookie
RT - Eric Fisher (84)
Summary
With Alex Smith, the Chiefs finally have a solid quarterback. Charles is one of the best running backs in Madden 25, so the offense should be much better than it was in Madden 13.
On defense, the linebackers are excellent, led by Johnson in the middle. Although the team is only rated a 76 overall, there are some bright spots that could make them a challenging, but fun team to pick in Connected Franchise.
Indianapolis Colts - 83 overall
Top Players
P - Pat McAfee (94)
WR - Reggie Wayne (91)
RT - Gosder Cherilus (90)
Top Rookie
ROLB - Bjoern Werner (74)
Summary
Andrew Luck has an awesome complement of receivers. Wayne is the dependable, possession receiver, but T.Y. Hilton and Darrius Heyward-Bey give Luck deep threats.
Despite making the playoffs in 2012, the defensive ratings aren’t all that favorable for the Colts. LaRon Landry and Antoine Bethea stand out as safeties, but beyond that unit, the defense is just ordinary.
Dallas Cowboys - 79 overall
Top Players
TE - Jason Witten (96)
RE - DeMarcus Ware (94)
WR - Dez Bryant (92)
Top Rookie
C - Travis Frederick (73)
Summary
Tony Romo has an overall rating of an 88 and Miles Austin is solid as a No. 2 receiver. Teamed with Witten and Bryant, the Cowboys’ passing game is great.
With the switch to the 4-3, the defense should be better on Madden as well. Ware joins Jay Ratliff, Anthony Spencer and Jason Hatcher to make up a solid front four. Each man is rated an 84 or better.
The run game may not be quite up to par, though. Only Tyron Smith stands out on the offensive line, and DeMarco Murray’s 84-overall rating is mediocre as starting running backs go.
Miami Dolphins - 78 overall
Top Players
LE - Cameron Wake (97)
P - Brandon Fields (92)
SS - Reshad Jones (92)
Top Rookie
RE - Dion Jordan (83)
Summary
Defensively, the Dolphins have some intriguing weapons. Wake is a megastar, and Jordan gives the team another dangerous pass-rusher on the other side of the field.
Miami could be better offensively in several spots, including the skill positions. Not only is Ryan Tannehill rated just an 81 overall, but also starting running back Lamar Hunt is only rated a 75. Mike Wallace does give the team a big-play element it didn't have before.
Philadelphia Eagles - 76 overall
Top Players
LG - Evan Mathis (98)
HB - LeSean McCoy (93)
P - Donnie Jones (91)
Top Rookie
RT - Lane Johnson (79)
Summary
Michael Vick is still a dynamic dual threat, despite his 81-overall rating. McCoy’s speed will be especially deadly with the use of Precision Modifiers, and the offensive line will be great for the overall running game.
The defensive line will be the biggest issue for gamers looking to run with Philly. Isaac Sopoaga is the highest-rated player at 80 overall.
Atlanta Falcons - 86 overall
Top Players
TE - Tony Gonzalez (95)
QB - Matt Ryan (94)
WR - Roddy White (93)
Top Rookie
CB - Desmond Trufant (77)
Summary
Ryan has more weapons at his disposal than any other QB in Madden 25, and Gonzalez and White are just two of the options.
Julio Jones is rated a 92 overall and gives the team a dangerous deep threat. Meanwhile, Steven Jackson is still rated an 89 overall and can pound the ball or catch passes out of the backfield.
The primary issue for the Falcons is on defense. The defensive line’s best player is Osi Umenyiora, but he’s only rated just an 84 overall. No other player from the group cracks the 80 mark.
San Francisco 49ers - 91 overall
Top Players
MLB - Patrick Willis (97)
LT - Joe Staley (96)
P - Andy Lee (95)
ROLB - Aldon Smith (95)
LG - Mike Iupati (95)
Top Rookie
FS - Eric Reid (76)
Summary
The Niners will be the most-used team online in Madden 25. With a dual-threat quarterback and so many playmakers on defense, they could hang with the Madden All-25 team. Well, not really, but you get my point.
Aside from Willis and Smith in the linebacker corps, there is also Navorro Bowman (93) and Ahmad Brooks (88). With stars all over the depth chart, the Niners are awesome in Madden 25.
New York Giants - 84 overall
Top Players
RE - Jason Pierre-Paul (94)
QB - Eli Manning (91)
LT - Will Beatty (90)
Top Rookie
RT - Justin Pugh (77)
Summary
With Manning, Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, the Giants still have the foundation for an explosive passing game.
David Wilson is fast (95 speed rating), but he’s only rated a 78 overall because of his 74 carrying rating. On defense, the defensive line is still a strength with JPP leading the way, but this might not be the team you want to run with if you plan on playing a ton of seasons in Connected Franchise.
They are a little long in the virtual tooth.
Jacksonville Jaguars - 72 overall
Top Players
HB - Maurice Jones-Drew (91)
LT - Eugene Monroe (89)
TE - Marcedes Lewis (88)
Top Rookie
RT - Luke Joeckel (83)
Summary
The QB competition for the Jags isn’t a great one. Both Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert are rated a 74 overall. The team can count on running the ball with MJD, but the passing game will be average at best.
The defense is devoid of playmakers as well. This makes the Jags one of the two lowest-rated teams in the game.
New York Jets - 73 overall
Top Players
C - Nick Mangold (94)
LE - Muhammad Wilkerson (94)
CB - Antonio Cromartie (92)
Top Rookie
CB - Dee Milliner (81)
Summary
Mark Sanchez vs. Geno Smith is only mildly more compelling than the Jags’ competition because of Smith’s upside in Connected Franchise. Both he and Sanchez are rated a 73 overall. If you choose the Jets, expect to have a tough time scoring.
On defense, Gang Green doesn’t have the type of explosive outside linebackers to play the 3-4, so that also creates a challenge.
Good luck turning this group around.
Detroit Lions - 76 overall
Top Players
WR - Calvin Johnson (99)
DT - Ndamukong Suh (93)
DT - Nick Fairley (92)
Top Rookie
RE - Ezekiel Ansah (78)
Summary
Everything begins with Megatron as far as the Lions are concerned. He makes the offense go, as the drop-off from him to Nate Burleson is a full 26 points in overall ratings.
On the other side of the ball, the stud defensive tackles make the D-line tough, but standouts are sparse in other positions.
Green Bay Packers - 88 overall
Top Players
QB - Aaron Rodgers (98)
LG - Josh Sitton (96)
ROLB - Clay Matthews (95)
Top Rookie
HB - Eddie Lacy (76)
Summary
Even without Greg Jennings, Rodgers still has three receivers with an overall rating of 87 or higher. Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones give the Packers a vicious three-headed monster at wide receiver.
Gamers who choose the Packers will have to lean on the pass quite a bit. Lacy is the top dog at running back, but he may not be capable of carrying the load until his second year.
Carolina Panthers - 76 overall
Top Players
RE - Charles Johnson (93)
FB - Mike Tolbert (92)
WR - Steve Smith (90)
LE - Greg Hardy (90)
Top Rookie
DT - Star Lotulelei (81)
Summary
Cam Newton still needs a few more weapons in the passing game besides Smith, but you should still be capable of engineering your share of scoring drives with him. As a dual threat, he’s among the best because he has an 85 speed rating and a 96 injury-resistance mark.
The secondary is the biggest issue on the team in Madden 25. Only Charles Godfrey is rated as high as an 80.
New England Patriots - 88 overall
Top Players
TE - Rob Gronkowski (98)
QB - Tom Brady (97)
ROLB - Jerod Mayo (94)
Top Rookie
WR - Aaron Dobson (72)
Summary
Brady usually makes the most out of his complement of receivers, but this may be a tough group to lead. Gronk will likely be removed from the first roster update, and that will leave Danny Amendola as the top target.
Luckily, the team has one of the best offensive lines in Madden 25 to give Brady ample time to throw. And when Brady has time, he can pick apart defenses with his elite accuracy.
Oakland Raiders - 72 overall
Top Players
FB - Marcel Reece (95)
K - Sebastian Janikowski (94)
LT - Jared Veldheer (90)
Top Rookie
CB - D.J. Hayden (78)
Summary
Trying to make Terrelle Pryor a top-notch QB is the most fun aspect of playing with the Raiders in Connected Franchise. Aside from that potential project, though, Raiders fans don’t have many bright spots on this team.
If Darren McFadden stays healthy, he’s a stud. But his injury-resistance rating is only a 74. If you’re looking for a challenge, the Raiders are the team to pick.
St. Louis Rams - 77 overall
Top Players
RG - Harvey Dahl (89)
LT - Jake Long (88)
LE - Chris Long (88)
CB - Cortland Finnegan (88)
Top Rookie
ROLB - Alec Ogletree (77)
Summary
Sam Bradford has a very good offensive line in front of him led by Dahl, but his receivers aren’t great. Rookie Tavon Austin is the highest-rated wideout at 76, which is modest for a No. 1 receiver.
The speed on defense is noteworthy, but this team is still about two to three pieces away from being really good. Perhaps that is nothing a few trades can’t fix.
Baltimore Ravens - 87 overall
Top Players
RG - Marshal Yanda (97)
HB - Ray Rice (94)
RE - Haloti Ngata (94)
Top Rookie
SS - Matt Elam (78)
Summary
Baltimore teams have always been defined by their defense. Without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, this team isn’t quite as stingy. The safeties are especially ordinary with rookie Elam starting at strong safety and Michael Huff taking Reed’s spot at free safety.
The run game will be stellar, though. Rice is one of the best at his position, and the Ravens’ line is still excellent. With Rice’s efficiency, Joe Flacco to Torrey Smith will be a deadly weapon in play action.
Washington Redskins - 86 overall
Top Players
C - Will Montgomery (90)
ROLB - Brian Orakpo (90)
HB - Alfred Morris (89)
QB - Robert Griffin III (89)
LT - Trent Williams (89)
FB - Darrel Young (89)
Top Rookie
FS - Phillip Thomas (72)
Summary
RG3 is the key weapon of course, but the strong offensive line makes Morris a factor too. The combination of Pierre Garcon and Santana Moss gives the virtual Skins two capable receivers to create a nice run-pass balance.
The potential issue for this team is in the secondary. Brandon Meriweather is the best safety, and he’s only rated a 78 overall. Washington may find it difficult to contain teams with speed receivers.
New Orleans Saints - 82 overall
Top Players
QB - Drew Brees (96)
TE - Jimmy Graham (96)
LG - Ben Grubbs (95)
RG - Jahri Evans (95)
Top Rookie
SS - Kenny Vaccaro (80)
Summary
The offense will definitely score points. Brees has a great offensive line, and Graham is one of the premier weapons at tight end. Even though the team lost Chris Ivory, it has plenty of depth at running back.
Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas give them players of varying abilities to throw opponents off balance.
The major question is can whether you stop them from scoring. It will be tough, as the highest-rated player on defense is cornerback Jabari Greer at an 86 overall.
Seattle Seahawks - 90 overall
Top Players
HB - Marshawn Lynch (96)
CB - Richard Sherman (96)
WR - Percy Harvin (92)
C - Max Unger (92)
Top Rookie
HB - Christine Michael (70)
Summary
The NFC West will be the most popular division online. Aside from the Niners, the Seahawks will be the other hot commodity among gamers. Russell Wilson is one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the game, and Lynch is—wait for it—a beast.
But oddly enough, the offensive line is only stellar in two spots. Unger and Okung are the lone standouts. The secondary is the best in Madden 25 with Sherman leading the deepest and hardest-hitting unit you’ll find.
Pittsburgh Steelers - 80 overall
Top Players
SS - Troy Polamalu (95)
QB - Ben Roethlisberger (92)
MLB - Lawrence Timmons (91)
Top Rookie
ROLB - Jarvis Jones (76)
Summary
With Polamalu returning, the Steelers’ secondary and overall defense should be better. That won’t help the offense, though.
Roethlisberger is still one of the game’s best, but not having Wallace will hurt the explosiveness, which is of course crucial in Madden.
The running backs are also less than spectacular. You’ll have to be great on defense to make some noise with this team.
Houston Texans - 84 overall
Top Players
LE - J.J. Watt (99)
WR - Andre Johnson (97)
LT - Duane Brown (96)
Top Rookie
FS - D.J. Swearinger (75)
Summary
The Texans’ secondary is second only to the Seahawks'. It doesn’t have the depth that Seattle’s does, but Johnathan Joseph, Kareem Jackson, Reed and Danieal Manning are nearly as good as the Seahawks’ starters.
On offense, the receiving corps needs some help after Johnson, there is a significant decline from the Texans' star to rookie DeAndre Hopkins.
The running game should be predictably tight, though. Arian Foster is perhaps the best all-purpose back in Madden 25.
Tennessee Titans - 75 overall
Top Players
LG - Andy Levitre (96)
LT - Michael Roos (91)
RT - David Stewart (90)
Top Rookie
RG - Chance Warmack (84)
Summary
The obvious strength of the Titans is the offensive line. The lowest rating in the group belongs to Fernando Velasco, and he’s rated an 82 overall.
With Chris Johnson still checking in with an 87 overall and a 99 speed rating, running the ball shouldn’t be a problem.
Passing it effectively, however, is another story. Neither Jake Locker nor Ryan Fitzpatrick will excite you, and Kenny Britt is decent at best as a No. 1 receiver.
Minnesota Vikings - 81 overall
Top Players
HB - Adrian Peterson (99)
C - John Sullivan (95)
K - Blair Walsh (92)
Top Rookie
DT - Sharrif Floyd (78)
Summary
The running game with A.P. is the biggest draw, but the addition of Jennings at least gives the team a go-to receiver.
On defense, the secondary is a huge question mark. Free safety Harrison Smith is rated an 84, but no other player in the unit is rated an 80 or higher.
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