EA Sports has released the Madden 13 team ratings, and as per usual, there are a few head scratchers in the bunch.
In recent years, EA has modified their rating system and increased the scrutiny given to the teams. The result is lower overall rankings. This season, there are no clubs that surpass an overall rating of 86. Tied for the top spot are the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers.
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Super Bowl Champion Giants are tied for third with a rating of 84. The Indianapolis Colts bring up the rear of the standings and sit at 32nd with a 66 rating.
There has already been some online buzz over the logic behind the rankings. Some question why the Super Bowl Champions are not leading the pack. Others argue over who is truly at the bottom of the league in terms of overall talent.
The bottom line is that the rankings are not based on record. They are based on the potential of each team to achieve success in the coming year. The Eagles missed the playoffs in 2011 but they did (and still do) have a roster made up of skilled players.
The Giants will enter 2012 without the starting TE, Jake Ballard, who helped them reach the Super Bowl. They will also be without Mario Manningham. Therefore, their outlook for the coming season may not necessarily reflect what was accomplished in the past.
Madden will be introducing some new features this year, including a new broadcast team. The popular gaming franchise has tabbed Phil Simms and Jim Nantz as the new commentating team. EA has promised that the dialogue will flow a bit more organically than it has in the past two editions. Each "broadcast" will begin in the booth with Nantz and Simms just like the presentation of an actual game.
Madden 13 is expected to be released in late August.