Greetings, Zone-heads. 

To help pass the time in the offseason, I'm going to begin doing a coach's spotlight to help us get to know our league members better. First up is Big Daddy Jazzy, the true son of the Pittsburgh "Stillers" and owner of some of the best trash talk in town. 

1. First name, age, hometown: Jasper, 29, from Middletown, DE. 

2. Married/Kids/Girlfriend? Happily married. 

3. Occupation? Warehouse Operations Manager

4. Favorite NFL team? STILLERS

5. Other favorite sports teams? Arsenal FC 

6. Hobbies? DJ on the side. Also play guitar, bass, drums, and anything else I can get my hands on. 

7. How long have you been playing Madden? Been playing since Madden 99. 

8. How long have you been playing CFM? Been playing CFM since 19. Zone was my first online CFM. 

9. Favorite Madden team? Stillers

10. Favorite Madden moment? Beating the shit out of Declan in our first game. Jets vs. Pats. Put up 200+ yards and multiple touchdowns on his Pats with KEITH FUCKING MARSHALL. 

11. Go-to play on 4th and 1? Straight up the gut. 

12. Go-to play on 4th and 15? Straight up the gut. 

13. Favorite Zone Member to Play Against? Sony.

14. Favorite Food? Pasta of any kind. 

15. Drink of Choice? Gin, straight up. 

16. Favorite Commish? Swan

17. Did you play football? If so, what level and what position? Nope, should have. Probably would've played OL or DL.

18. If yes to above, list Injuries sustained while playing football: N/A

19. Favorite thing about Madden 20? NET.

20. Biggest hope for Madden 21 (old feature you wish they’d bring back or new feature you hope to get)? Next Madden I hope they bring back being able to pick your coaching staff. Coordinators at the very least. 

21. If you could be any NFL mascot, which would you be and why? Captain Fear from the Bucs. Hit ass cheerleaders and you get to chill on a pirate ship. 

22. Favorite NFL player of all time? Mel Blount

23. Is a hotdog a sandwich? Yes, if a cheese steak is a sandwich then so is a hot dog. I really want a hot dog now. 

Thank you for sitting down with me, Jazz. I hope someone rushes for 900 yards on you and breaks Net's legs. ♥?

Denver, Colorado

Something that happens once is said to be a fluke. Something that happens twice is said to be odd. Something that happens three times makes you scratch your head. But when it happens a fourth time, it needs to be considered a trend.

The Broncos blew their 4th lead of 20 or more points in as many games, but for the 3rd time, held on for a nail-biting win, defeating the Raiders 37-34.

What seemed to be just a rough stretch of defensive play late in games now has GM Swan concerned. He has ordered head coach Peyton Manning to take action.

"I've told ya'll before. We're in the business of winning football games. So I've ordered Peyton to score until the clock says 0:00. No more of this Andy Reid, Lincoln Riley, Kirby Smart, play it safe in big games bulls***. We don't want any more close games. I don't care what the league thinks of us...if we can win the game 100-0, we will do it."

Sports have a history of having certain unwritten rules. One of those rules is not running up the score. But it doesn't sound like the Denver Broncos will be obeying any such unwritten rule any longer. 

The Broncos offense continues to flourish with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm, and are currently averaging 38 points per game. However, scoring points hasn't been the problem. It's allowing the opposing team to score points that is. The Broncos were up 30-7 on the Raiders at halftime.

During that halftime break, the two teams made the necessary adjustments. But the Raiders were the only ones with adjustments that worked. Head coach Kung Fu told the team at half that they "needed to trust themselves more" and "not do more than they could do as an individual". He spoke with the media following the game.

"It's a tough way to start the game, going down 10-0 in the first quarter. We weren't quite ready to play, and we've had a bad case of the turnover bug. But despite being down 30-7 at halftime, I'm proud of the comeback the team mounted in the second half, even if it wasn't quite enough. Dalvin (Cook) broke out in the second half and we showed some promise for the rest of the season. Hopefully, we can put it all together next week and get the first win of the season. But that was the best the offense and defense have looked all year, and it's a good sign."

The Raiders defense did a good job of making the Broncos one dimensional, all but eliminating the running game. Running back Stephen Jett was virtually a non-factor, but Big Ben put the team on his back with the help of his fast and strong receiving corps. Also breaking out in the game was rookie tight end Jacob Schmidt, who hauled in four catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. 

On defense, the Broncos shut down the Raiders entirely in the first half, limiting Dalvin Cook to hardly any yardage on the ground and forcing QB Derek Carr into throwing two interceptions. Bradley Roby made both of them, taking one back for a touchdown. 

Cook stepped up his game tremendously in the second half, as did Carr. Cook finished with a solid 151 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Broncos (3-1) will travel to take on the Tampa Bay Bucs (1-2) next week. The Raiders (0-4) will travel to Atlanta to take on the Falcons (1-2). 

GAME STATS

Passing

Ben Roethlisberger (DEN): 13/18, 256 yards, 3 TDs

Derek Carr (OAK): 13/19, 293 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs

Rushing

Dalvin Cook (OAK): 21 carries, 151 yards, 2 TDs

Jaxson Cope (OAK): 2 carries, 2 yards, 1 TD

Stephen Jett (DEN): 10 carries, 40 yards

Receiving

Amari Cooper (OAK): 6 receptions, 180 yards, 1 TD

Darian Robiskie (DEN): 4 receptions, 102 yards, 1 TD

Carlos Henderson (DEN): 2 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD

Jacob Schmidt (DEN): 4 receptions, 38 yards, 1 TD

Tyrell Williams (OAK): 1 reception, 9 yards, 1 TD

Defense

Broncos Interceptions: Bradley Roby (2)

Raiders Interceptions: None

Broncos Sacks: Bradley Roby, Ezekiel Ansah, Derek Wolfe, Kashawn Iquoma

Raiders Sacks: None

Kicking

Brandon McManus (DEN): 3 FG, 58 yd. long, 4 XP

Punting

Jacob Schum (DEN): 2 punts, 54 yd. avg, 1 I20, 59 yd. long

Marquette King (OAK): 1 punt, 59 yds

Denver, Colorado

For the second straight week, the Denver Broncos watched as a once large lead evaporated in front of their eyes. This time, they weren't able to overcome it.

The Broncos fell to 1-1 on the season, losing to the Buffalo Bills 41-40 in what was an instant classic. Jumping out to a lead as big as 21 points, adjustments at halftime for the Bills turned out to be the difference. Broncos head coach Peyton Manning took the blame for the loss, admitting to adjusting play calling to "not lose", instead of keeping his foot on the gas.

Broncos GM Swan didn't mince words when addressing the issue.

"It's hard, you know? You come out after three straight losing seasons, and you put it to the Patriots in Week 1, and then come out guns blazing in Week 2, only to watch the lead disappear again. I don't care if you're up 50 points. In my opinion, you should never let off the throttle. When you do, things like this happen. So it will be taken care of, because frankly, that's some 7-9 bull***."

Coach Atkinson of the Bills didn't mince words, either.

"You know, after a big 45-12 win in Week 1, we came into the Mile High City with high confidence on offense and defense. Unfortunately, after the first half, I realized that the confidence was more of a, "my s*** doesn't stink" attitude, and our defense got beat like a drum and our offense was making crucial mistakes. I was able to check the team's privilege on both sides of the ball, and I told the defense to look alive, and threatened them with gassers for every TD they gave up. Coming out in the second half after getting our s*** rocked, we were able to hold them to only three points and German, our rookie running back, showed me he wanted it and Peterman did his thing. I'd describe this performance as a "that'll do pig, that'll do", because of the s*** this team took in the first half and the way we were able to get it together in the second."

Broncos' QB Ben Roethlisberger turned in his second quality game in as many weeks, throwing for 356 yards and 2 TDs. Sophomore HB Stephen Jett racked up 90 yards on 19 carries, but it was veteran HB turned FB C.J. Anderson who found the end zone twice for the Broncos on the ground. Roethlisberger's favorite target was All-Pro wideout Darian Robiskie, who found the end zone for the 5th time in two games.

Nathan Peterman had a rough first half for the Bills but righted the ship in the 2nd half, throwing for 383 yards and 3 TDs. The Bills running game was held in check throughout, as the rookie phenom Andre German was held to 42 yards on 18 carries.

The MVP of the game, for both teams, could have been the kickers. Broncos kicker Brandon McManus hit all four of his field goal attempts, with his longest coming in at 57 yds to give the Broncos a 18 point lead at halftime. Bills kicker Zane Gonzalez tucked a 59 yard field goal inside the right upright with just over three minutes left in the game, giving the Bills their first lead of the game.

The Bills (2-0) will look to continue their winning streak as they host the Raiders (0-2) in Week 3. The Broncos (1-1) will host the Saints (1-1), and will look to cure their choke job reputation.

GAME STATS

Passing

Nathan Peterman (BUF): 18/22, 383 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Ben Roethlisberger (DEN): 22/28, 356 yds, 2 TDs, 1 INT

Rushing

Stephen Jett (DEN): 19 carries, 90 yds

C.J. Anderson (DEN): 2 carries, 6 yds, 2 TDs

Andre German (BUF): 6 carries, 42 yds

Nathan Peterman (BUF): 5 carries, 26 yds

Receiving

Darian Robiskie (DEN): 4 receptions, 170 yds, 2 TDs

Andre German (BUF): 5 receptions, 121 yds, 1 TD

Taurean Stanlet (BUF): 6 receptions, 106 yds, 1 TD

George Boulware (BUF): 2 receptions, 91 yds, 1 TD

Defense

Broncos Interceptions: Brandon Marshall

Bills Interceptions: Tre'Davious White

Broncos Sacks: Shane Ray, Kashawn Iwuoma

Bills Sacks: Alex Anzalone (2)

Kicking

Brandon McManus (DEN): 4 FG, 57 yd. long, 4 XP

Zane Gonzalez (BUF): 2 FG, 59 yd. long, 3 XP

Punting

Jacob Schum (DEN): 2 punts, 51 yd avg, 1 I20, 69 yd. long

Chad Hochstein (BUF): 2 punts, 50 yd avg, 52 yd. long

Foxborough, Mass.

Given Paxton Lynch's ability to put up big numbers, one could make the argument that he deserved to remain the Broncos starting quarterback entering the 8th season of Madden Zone. Given his inability to win big games, one could make the argument that he deserved to be replaced.

Broncos brass felt the latter.

In a shocking turn of events, the Broncos acquired veteran signal caller Ben Roethlisberger from the Saints in exchange for a 3rd round pick in next year's draft. The Broncos had attempted to court Roethlisberger during free agency, but he chose New Orleans.

The move was one that sent ripples through the Broncos roster, who fully expected to have Paxton Lynch at the helm again this season. But the move was one that needed to be made, according to Broncos GM Swan.

"You know, we're in the business of winning championships. And we play in a hell of a division. So in order to even get the chance to play for a championship, you've gotta go through a gauntlet of 17 games. Paxton just wasn't giving us a chance to get in, and that's why we decided to go with Ben's leadership."

The move paid dividends in Week 1. Many speculated that Ben wouldn't play, but given the similar playbooks, he was able to dive right in. He was 17/19 on the day, threw for 329 yards, 3 TDs, and only 1 interception. On top of that, he provided balance to the Bronco offense, allowing sophomore Stephen Jett to rush for 128 yards and 2 TDs.

After jumping out to an early 21-0 lead, the Broncos looked like they would coast to their first victory of the year. But a late push by the Patriots saw the lead evaporate, and the Broncos needed a late field goal to put the game away.

Rookie QB Carlos Drake made his debut for the Pats, and looked very NFL capable. His speed and raw talent were obvious, but his two interceptions showed that he has room to grow in the pocket. Coach Reeves agreed.

"I'm optimistic with a new offense and our rookie QB Carlos Drake. I'm looking to improve from the mistakes we made in regards to turning the ball over heading into next week's matchup with the Jaguars."

Chris Harris Jr. and Kenny Vaccaro both had interceptions for the Broncos. Ezekiel Ansah had the lone sack for the Broncos defense -- a testament to Drake's scrambling skills.

The Broncos are looking to put together their first winning season in three years, and it looks as though Big Ben might just be the missing piece. 

GAME STATS

Passing

Ben Roethlisberger (DEN): 17/19, 329 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Carlos Drake (NE): 14/21, 273 yds, 3 TDs, 2 INTs

Rushing

Stephen Jett (DEN): 20 carries, 128 yds, 2 TDs

Kareem Hunt (NE): 13 carries, 70 yds, 1 TD

Carlos Drake (NE): 4 carries, 40 yds

Receiving

Darian Robiskie (DEN): 7 receptions, 212 yds, 3 TDs

Eric Suggs (NE): 5 receptions, 120 yds, 2 TDs

Devin Funchess (NE): 2 receptions, 27 yds, 1 TD

Defense

Denver Interceptions: Chris Harris Jr, Kenny Vaccaro

New England Interceptions: Donta Hightower

Denver Sacks: Ezekiel Ansah

New England Sacks: Trey Flowers

Kicking

Kai Forbath (NE): 1 FG, 58 yds, 3 XP

Brandon McManus (DEN): 1 FG, 47 yds, 5 XP

Punting

Jacob Schum (DEN): 1 punt, 47 yards

Ryan Allen (NE): 1 punt, 35 yards, I20

I'm back, bitches.

After turning 25, getting engaged, and buying a house, the storm of life has calmed enough for me to pour some unnecessary time into this worthless piece of shit game.

So without further ado, I present my first power rankings blog (actually, just my first blog in general) of Madden 18.

1. Dallas Cowboys (11-0): Hard to argue with America's Team, considering they're the only undefeated team left and the reigning champs. Boasting the 2nd best offense in the NFL and the 3rd best defense, Luke's squad is undoubtedly the most well-rounded team in Zone. All of that being said, it's hard not to look at how whimsically easy their schedule has been. 7 of their 11 wins have been against teams under .500, and their four wins against good teams have come by an average of 7 points. Their most difficult remaining game is against the Redskins in Week 15, who the Cowboys beat 33-31 in Week 9. Outside of that, going 16-0 might not be unfathomable. But fuk them anyways.

2. Buffalo Bills (10-1): Behind sophomore QB Nathan Peterman, the Bills have racked up a lot of points. A league-leading 36 PPG, to be exact. However, their running game has been mediocre, which could become their demise against any good pass defending teams. Their one loss came to the Packers (7-4) in Week 9, but they have rebounded nicely with two big wins. The Bills remaining schedule is almost as much of a cake walk as the Cowboys, but their Week 17 matchup against the Vikings (9-3) should be interesting. Again, it's hard to envision a scenario where the Bills don't get a first-round bye in the playoffs. BILLS MAFIA STAND THE F*$# UP!

3. Minnesota Vikings (9-3): The Vikings have the highest-powered offense in the league, scoring the most points per game in the league (36.0), the most yards per game (435.8), and rank 2nd in the league in both passing yards and rushing yards. Talk about a well-balanced attack. Their downfall? Almost all of their games have been shootouts, as their defense has been sub-par. Because they say defense wins championships, it's hard to put all of my chips in the Vikings basket, but the offense is just hard to look past. Two of their three losses have come when their opponent scored 50+ points, but when the Vikes defense holds opposing offenses under 40, they're undefeated. They will be tested heavily in the remaining weeks, with a rematch against the Packers who defeated the Vikes in Week 7, and games against the Seahawks and Bills to close out the final two weeks of the season. But for now, they sit at three, and their offense will almost certainly carry them to a playoff berth and probably a division title. Skol?

4. Seattle Seahawks (9-2): The Seahawks are 9-2 mainly because of two things; being solid on both sides of the ball, and sharing the offensive wealth. Two players have thrown touchdown passes. Five players have rushed for a TD. And five players have caught at least one. On defense, they've been a turnover machine, with Wagner, Sherman, Lane, Wright, and Tramaine Brock accounting for 16 of the team's takeaways. After splitting with division rival Los Angeles, who sits just one game behind them in the division standings, their only other loss was a total head-scratcher to the Raiders (2-9). The remaining schedule includes three games against teams with winning records, including the Chiefs (9-2), Vikings (9-3), and my beautiful Broncos (6-5). I foresee the Hawks finishing 12-4, and likely just missing a first round bye by the skin of their teeth. But lets not count out those Rams just yet for that division title. But fuk Pete Carroll and his snarky gum chewing ass irl.

5. Cincinnati Bengals (9-2): Now is where we get down to resume. The Bengals have the 7th best offense in the league, but a mediocre (at best) 20th ranked defense. However, the Bengals have shown up in big games, with their only two losses being against quality opponents. We will find out a lot about Cincy in the coming weeks, however, as their final five games include four matchups against teams with winning records. Don't look now, but this team could end up as poorly as 10-6. With the defense they're fielding and the high-octane offenses they're about to face, it isn't crazy. You know what is crazy though? The fact that Andy Dalton sucks so much dick now.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (9-2): Just like in real life, it doesn't really matter how much the Chiefs win, I'm just not sold on them. Part of that is because I beat them in Week 2 when my Broncos were super shitty, and part of it is because they have just been squeaking by the good teams. Their offense is average (20th in the NFL), but their defense is the best in the league and has carried them to this point. As you'll notice, if you can get the Chiefs in a shootout, they might be in trouble. That's likely to be the case, as games remain against the Bengals, Seahawks, and Broncos (again). While they've all but clinched the AFC West, I would be surprised if they're able to make any playoff noise. Especially now that their DE with 34 sacks is all but out of the picture. WTF

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3): To separate the 3 loss teams, you've gotta look at overall production. The Steelers have proved they can be an offensive and defensive force, ranking 9th and 7th in the league, respectively. Somehow, though, the AFC North has become one of the best divisions in football, and that has hurt the Steelers. However, their Week 12 shellacking of the Bengals has them, in my mind, as the next big thing. We'll see how they fare in the rematch in Week 14, but outside of that, the Steelers won't be challenged too much. Look for them to be a sneaky team in the playoffs. Or not. Probably not.

8. Houston Texans (8-3): First off, congrats to their MLB counterpart Astros on winning the series last night. Second off, this team is performing eerily similarly to the real-life Texans, as Deshaun Watson has played out of his mind. 3,275 yards with 35 TDs is spectacular. However, he is on pace for the most turnovers in his career. If he can fix that, this team could be trouble. All three of their losses came to good teams, and somehow, they put 69 points on the Redskins? Is that not against the rules? Wtf? Anyways, two games left against decent teams, but if they can take care of the Jaguars, they'll win the division. Also, just got an update about Deshaun Watson tearing his ACL. Foreshadowing?

9. Los Angeles Rams (8-3): Another surprise team in real life and in the Madden realm. 1st in the NFL in points allowed (20.0), the defense is keeping them in games long enough to make up for the mediocre offensive play. Somehow Isaiah Crowell has carried the load on the ground over Todd Gurley...not sure if that's an injury or a trade or if this dude is just crazy. They've shown flashes of greatness in wins over the Seahawks, Redskins, and Vikings, and an easy schedule keeps them right in the thick of things. Don't sleep on the Rams, because one slip up by the Hawks is all they need to take off. “THIS IS SOME 8-3 BULLSHIT!” – Jeff Fischer, somewhere, probably.

10. Washington Redskins (8-3): The Redskins are closing in on the top ten on both sides of the ball, but they've got their issues. Their passing offense has been pretty poor, and by the looks of their rushing stats, they can't figure out what running back they want to use. Even with no injuries to note, Keith Marshall, Ameer Abdullah, Chris Thompson, and Samaje Perine have all score multiple rushing touchdowns. Kirk Cousins is two interceptions away from breaking his career high, meaning he’s going to have to clean it up if the Skins want to be taken seriously. Also, Redskins…70-3 win this week? Is that being swept under the rug or wtf?

11. Los Angeles Chargers (7-4): Leading off the 4 loss teams is another divisional opponent of mine. It’s mainly because they have the 6^th best defense in the league, and their offense is exceeding expectations. You’ve gotta remember, Madden is separate from reality. And even if you want to roll your eyes at the real life Chargers, they’re a team that is Madden stacked. This dude stomped my ass in Week 1, and rattled off two more wins before getting stomped by the Chiefs in Week 4 and I got redemption in Week 6. They kept things competitive the second time around against KC, and have taken advantage of poor opponents since. The problem is, the Chargers have yet to beat a team that’s “good”. I probably would’ve put Cleveland ahead of them, but Cleveland lost to him. Two tough games left on the schedule in a tight AFC, so don’t be surprised if the Chargers end up as a bubble team that could be bounced in or out in Week 17.

12. Cleveland Browns (7-4): This dude absolutely destroyed me the other night. I know I suck, you don’t need to remind me. But I turned the ball over EIGHT TIMES. EIGHT! I’ve never done that. I don’t know how it happened. It was a tight game and before I knew it I had benched Paxton Lynch in favor of Chad Kelly and the score was 54-25. That being said, outside of their win over the Chiefs, the Browns really haven’t beaten anyone impressive. Deshone Kizer has been mediocre at best, throwing 20 TDs to 15 INTs, and has been sacked 26 times. Spencer Ware has been a decent work horse out of the back field, and their defense ranks #12 in the league. While he whooped my ass, I’m not convinced that he’s ready to make any noise this year. But don’t be surprised if next year is a different story.

13. Philadelphia Eagles (6-5): My power rankings, my rules. I know they’re only 6-5, but the Eagles have been a victim to a difficult schedule. And despite that, they have still played pretty well behind their 9^th ranked defense and their offense averaging 31.0 points per game. Having to play the Cowboys and Redskins twice is no easy task. Not to mention most of their non-division opponents have been tough as well. After this week’s rematch with the undefeated Cowboys, the schedule lightens up a bit and the Eagles could make a move up the standings. In a wide open NFC, I think they get in at 10-6.

14. Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4): The Jags have lost three of their last four, and this is probably the last you’ll see of them this high in the rankings. They haven’t fully taken advantage of a favorable schedule early, and their schedule in the remaining five weeks is one of the toughest in the league. It’s entirely conceivable that they lose every game from here on out and finish at 7-9. My Broncos await in Week 13, followed by the Eagles, Bengals, Cowboys, and Texans. Gulp.

15. Green Bay Packers (8-4): Any team with Aaron Rodgers and company is good, but in Madden it’s usually even better. Combine that with the fact that they are averaging 114 rushing yards per game, and it’s a solid formula. Rookie RB Myron Parmele, the 17^th pick in the draft last season, has run wild on opposing defenses., and Rodgers has thrown for nearly 3,000 yards and 30 TDs. Their problems lie on the defensive side of the ball, where they are giving up nearly 400 yards per game. If they can figure out their defense, look out.

16. Denver Broncos (6-5): On the outside looking in at the top 15 is my Denver Broncos. They had a lot of momentum building after winning two in a row, and then the Browns came to town to give me a Cleveland Steamer. Three tough games coming up, and it’ll be interesting to see if Coach Swan throws Paxton back in after being benched last week, or if he’ll stick with Swag Kelly behind center.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5): The Bucs are being carried almost entirely by the 4^th ranked offense in the league, considering their defense is absolute garbage. Jameis Winston has had a solid season to this point, and they’ve shown their force in games like their win over the Bengals. However, at other times they have looked miserable, like in their 38-13 loss to the Falcons. The Bucs have to get some defense if they want teams to take them seriously, and even though offense wins championships in Madden, they won’t be able to score 40 points every game. Look for them to focus on defensive acquisitions this offseason.

18. Atlanta Falcons (4-7): You want a shakeup in the power rankings? I’ll give you a shakeup. To say the Falcons have underperformed would be a gross misstatement. Their record is not indicative of how they’ve played. They currently have the 8^th best offense in the league, and the 4^th best defense in the league. Matt Ryan has played very well, their running back tandem of Freeman and Coleman has played well, and their defense has been forcing turnovers right and left. Over half of their games have been against teams with significant winning records, and it has been bad luck for A-Town. The Bengals and Steelers still lurk in Week 16 and 17, so maybe they should just look forward to next year. But watch for them to play spoiler from here on out.

19. Chicago Bears (5-6): The Bears are in a similar boat with the Falcons, but with much worse defense. Mitch Trubisky hasn’t been playing terrible, but he’s been sacked 27 times this season, and was sacked 41 times last season. Have you no shame? GET THIS MAN A LINE! They had a good win in Week 2 against the Packers, but since then it has been rough sailing. Two tough games left, against the Redskins in Week 14 and the Rams in Week 17. Outside of that, I think they could pull out a win or two.

20. New York Jets (4-8): Another shakeup? Coming right up. The Jets, like the Falcons, have played better than their record suggests. The acquisition of Matt Stafford has helped tremendously., as they have a top ten offense and rank 2^nd in passing yards per game. Again, the problem here is on the defensive side of the ball. Get some defense and these boys might just compete. They stomped the Packers in Week 3, only to get stomped themselves the following five weeks. There’s no hope for this season, as games against the Bills and Chiefs are left. But with the Patriots a non-factor, look for the Jets to be aggressive.

21. Miami Dolphins (5-6): The Dolphins can score a little, but tend to get scored on a lot. They have the third worst defense in the league, and it shows. Jay Ajayi, after vetoing a trade to the Eagles for a measly 4^th round pick, has been a majority of the offensive firepower. Tannehill still blows, and if the Dolphins want to get any better, they’d be best advised to trash Tannehill and see who else they can land.

22. Detroit Lions (5-6): The reincarnation of Tim Tebow has shown flashes of Mile High Magic, but also flashes of the player that currently plays minor league baseball. They stomped the Vikings in Week 5 by putting up 58 points, and then lost to the, at the time, winless Patriots. Yikes. Definitely some holes on this team that need to be addressed. The next three games will put the Lions through the gauntlet, as they head to Seattle, Buffalo, and Green Bay, who only have six losses between them.

23. Tennessee Titans (4-8): Another team that can score, but likes to get scored on. Playing in a division with the Jags and Texans doesn’t help, but the offense can rack up yards in a hurry. Mariota and Cole Kelley have seemingly split time behind center, while DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry do the same in the backfield. No quality wins yet for the Tits and it looks like they might be hard to come by this season.

24. New Orleans Saints (4-7): You want to show sympathy to a player in this league? Show it to Drew Brees, who has gotten his poor, scar-faced old ass beat to hell this season. Sure, he’s thrown for almost 3,000 yards at a 70% clip, but he’s only got 17 TDs on the year, while being sacked 22 times and picked off 10 times. Do you guys not have any respect for this literal saint? Running game sucks. He has shitty receivers. His line sucks. But luckily, they should be able to squeak out two more wins.

25. Carolina Panthers (3-9): Ah, the bottom seven. A glorious spot to be. Leading us off in the toilet of the league is the Panthers, who just haven’t been able to get anything going. Christian McCaffrey has pretty much been a one man show in Carolina, as Cam Newton’s ego always ends up getting in the way. Their defense blows, and is 30^th in the league. The one bright spot of the season? Nearly knocking off the unbeaten Cowboys in Week 11 and the Vikings in Week 12. But almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. Relatively easy schedule from here on out aside from their Week 17 matchup against the Seahawks.

26. Oakland Raiders (2-9): Now we’re really splitting hairs from here on out. The Raiders have the best offense of the remaining teams, aside from the Patriots (who still can’t win somehow). Derek Carr is playing like ass. Rookie Jaxson Cope has been running hard while Marshawn Lynch jacks off on the sidelines. And that pretty much sums it up for the Raiders. They’ve had some close calls with some good teams, but just haven’t been able to get the job done, except for their huge upset last week over the Seahawks. Playoff dreams are long gone in Oakland, but they’ll be looking to spoil my hopes of the postseason in Week 14, the Browns’ hopes in Week 15, and the Chargers’ in Week 16.

27. Baltimore Ravens (2-10): The Ravens are getting old, and it’s time to replace some of the faces of the franchise. That includes Joe Flacco, who has 18 TDs. Hopefully the Ravens’ front office realizes that this division is as tough as ever, and it’s not because of themselves. The good news for them? They kicked my Broncos ass in Week 3 and knocked off the Raiders in Week 9. Maybe they should just move to the AFC West.

28. San Francisco 49ers (2-10): CJ Beathard has tried his darndest, and so has Carlos Hyde. But it hasn’t gotten them anywhere. Tough schedule remaining, and I think they should just be looking for a high draft pick at this point. The good news? There are four teams lower than them in the rankings, and the Niners defense isn’t horrid.

29. Arizona Cardinals (1-10): Yikes. Down to the one win teams, and the Cardinals only win was against the 49ers who aren’t much better. Defense is decent, but the offense is the worst in the league. Let’s work on that.

30. New England Patriots (1-11): I know they’ve been on AP forever, but their offense still ranks #5 in the league. That’s impressive. Defense? None to be found. As soon as this team gets a decent user, their fate will change. Until then? Scrub the bottom of the rankings.

31. Indianapolis Colts (1-10): No comment here. They blow.

32. New York Giants (1-11): They blow even worse.

There are my rankings! They take forever to do, so you bastards better appreciate my hard work. Peace.

San Francisco, California - Week 5

It appears as though Broncos head coach Buster Cherry's "blackmail" approach to grooming QB Paxton Lynch has worked.

After suffering a bit of a sophomore slump last season, Lynch has come out in veteran form this season. Sunday's game was no different, as Lynch threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns in Denver's 34-13 triumph over the 49ers.

However, while his numbers were mostly glossy, all that glitters is not gold. The Niners tabbed Lynch with three interceptions. Lynch said there's obviously room to improve.

"We came in here on the road and got a W. But I've gotta' do a better job of not turning the ball over. Those three picks could've cost us the game, but luckily I have a good defense on my side. We played well offensively, but I've gotta be better."

Coach Cherry echoed those sentiments, albeit a bit more harshly.

"The kid has all the raw tools. Hell, he might be one of the best in the game right now. But if the 49ers weren't a (expletive) organization with (expletive) players and a (expletive) coach and GM, those three turnovers would've cost us the game. And if you're playing a team that isn't absolute dog (expletive), it sure as hell will. He'll (Lynch) get praise from me when he earns it, but I'm not going to (expletive) candy coat (expletive). He's gotta do better. And if not, those (expletive) pictures he accidentally sent me are going straight to TMZ. And you can take that to the (expletive) bank."

The running game stepped up once again for the Broncos, as C.J. Anderson carried the load with 16 carries for 95 yards. The defense was also stellar, allowing quarterback Ryan Tannehill to throw for only 241 yards and no touchdowns, while sacking him four times. Running back Joshua Holliday carried the ball 19 times for a mere 52 yards.

Von Miller had three of the Broncos' four sacks, and leads the NFL with eight. 

The Broncos have come out with their foot on the gas pedal. Now 4-1 on the season, they're hitting their stride early and will look to continue that success next week against the Chiefs. However, the best division in football a season ago has stumbled early, as every other team in the West has at least two losses. Still, the Broncos know the Chiefs will be no slouch in Week 6.

The 49ers (0-5), have reportedly fired head coach Pure Echo following the loss. He was unable to be reached for comment.

Game Stats

Passing

Paxton Lynch (DEN): 19/29, 348 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs

Ryan Tannehill (SF): 22/42, 241 yards

Rushing

C.J. Anderson (DEN): 16 carries, 95 yards

Joshua Holliday (SF): 19 carries, 52 yards

Receiving

Ellis Cochran (DEN): 5 receptions, 168 yards, 2 TDs

Demaryius Thomas (DEN): 3 receptions, 71 yards, TD

Jeff Janis (DEN): 1 reception, 4 yards, TD

Torrey Smith (SF): 7 receptions, 74 yards

Defense

Broncos Interceptions: --

Broncos Sacks: Von Miller (3), Shaq Barrett (0.5), Antuan Wilkinson (0.5)

49ers Interceptions: Quinton Dunbar, Eric Reid, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Kicking

Brandon McManus (DEN): 2/2 FG, 48 yd. long, 4 XP

Steven Hauschka (SF): 2/2 FG, 52 yd. long, 1 XP

Punting

Bradley Pinion (SF): 6 punts, 261 net yds, 1 inside 20

Madison Sanderson (DEN): 3 punts, 135 net yds, 1 inside 20 

Los Angeles, California - Week 2

Football rivalries are unique to most other rivalries. In most sports, physical violence is not inflicted on your rival. And while the NFL has many great rivalries, most of them don't involve the head coaches quite like Declan vs. Swan.

In the beginning, Swan and Declan were division rivals. For the most part, the rivalry left Swan on the outside of the playoffs looking in. In Madden 16, following hte reboot, Swan and Declan were no longer division rivals, but rather conference rivals. We were no longer guaranteed a rematch twice a year, but we were often granted at least one reinstallment of the battle.

When Madden 17 teams were released, it was seemingly the end of an era. Barring any Super Bowl matchups, we would only get to see Declan vs. Swan once every four seasons.

And because this may be the last time we see Declan vs. Swan in Madden 17, the stakes were that much higher to win. History tends to repeat itself, and last night's game was no different. Declan will own bragging rights in Hub's greatest rivalry for at least a few seasons, as his Chiefs defeated the Rams 41-35.

Declan's Chiefs came in to the game heavily favored, as they look like a team poised for a deep playoff run. While he inherited a solid team, his offseason pickups and trades have him in an even better spot. In contrast, Swan's Rams appeared to be in full rebuild mode after Jared Goff severely underperformed last season. After trading Goff and losing out on some key free agent pickups, they luckily had a great draft, including their quarterback of the future, Kurtis Warner.

Name sound familiar? It should. He's the son and chosen prodigy of former Rams quarterback Kurt Warner. Donning his father's signature #13 and gloves, it was an interesting sight. Flashbacks of the "Greatest Show on Turf" arose. But they were quickly chopped down, as Warner performed as most rookies do in big games. Like a giant, smelly turd. 

The Chiefs were dominant from the get-go, hitting rookie cheese-ciever on a streak down the sideline to open the game. Repeatedly the Chiefs and QB Ben Roethlisberger abused the Rams corners, particularly to the outside. Defensive play calling was called into question by Twitter, as Rams head coach Buster Cherry continued to blitz despite being peppered by the pass, but in normal Swan fashion, the run game was stuffed. Coach Cherry defended his position.

"You know, there's a reason you (expletive)'s are in here with microphones asking questions, and I'm out there calling plays. I don't give a (expletive) what you think, because if you could call plays you'd be out there instead of me. We had to get pressure on that big son of a (expletive), and the only way to do that was to blitz. Apparently (Aaron) Donald forgot to eat his Wheaties this morning, because if he could do his (expletive) job we wouldn't have to blitz."

But the Rams fought back and Warner eventually found his groove, despite throwing four interceptions in his second game. The Rams outscored the Chiefs 19-3 in the 4th quarter, and ended up only losing the game by six points in what turned out to be a shootout. Warner had this to say about his performance:

"I thought we did some things well today, and some things not so well. Throwing for 500 yards was cool and all but, at the end of the day, we lost the game. And that's what matters most. But I think we showed we can hang."

With the rivalry being what it is, GM Gracefull Swan addressed the media following the game.

"I say it every time, I always love going up against Declan's teams. It's a lot of fun, but it'd be a hell of a lot more fun if we could beat him. No matter what our talent level is, it's just one of those matchups that you know is gonna' be a dog fight. And tonight was no different. That's a hell of a football team over there, and for a team like us to be in rebuild mode and to be able to hang around with those guys, it's encouraging. But Declan has done what he always does, and that's assemble a high octane football team. So props to him, and I wish him and his wife nothing but the best. We spent most of the game in my suite together. It's always like a family reunion."

Coach Haglund of the Chiefs was obviously pleased with his team's performance.

"The defense played great out there today. The Rams have some great pieces and the guys went out there and made plays against a good football team. Our rookies came up big and they're making us look good for picking them. Our offense did what they always do -- put up great numbers. Eubanks came up huge, and Ben played out of his mind."

Owner Declan shared a similar sentiment. 

"It's always fun beating the (expletive) out of Swan. He had my number towards the end of Madden 16, but the universe has righted itself and all is right in the world. He's got a great defense, but he's got to get a new defensive coordinator in there. That guy is killing him. But it'll be fun to see this Rams team grow around Swan though, and start making the playoff runs we have come to expect from his teams."

Until next time, another chapter in the Swan/Declan rivalry has closed. 

The Rams (0-2) will look to right the ship as they travel up the road to San Diego (0-1) in Week 3. The Chiefs (2-0) will host the Bills (0-1).

Game Stats

Passing

Ben Roethlisberger (KC):14/16, 391 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT

Kurtis Warner (LA): 29/45, 521 yards, 3 TDs, 4 INTs

Rushing

Todd Gurley (LA): 10 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD

Charcandrick West (KC): 14 carries, 26 yards

Receiving

Tavon Austin (LA): 7 receptions, 251 yards, 2 TDs

Mason Kelly (LA): 10 receptions, 142 yards, 1 TD

Lamar Kinder (KC): 3 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TD

Albert Wilson (KC): 2 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD

Tyreek Hill (KC): 3 receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD

Eric Eubanks (KC): 3 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD

Defense

Rams Sacks: --

Rams Interceptions: Trumaine Johnson (1)

Chiefs Sacks: Justin Houston (1.0), DeMario Davis (1.0), Michael Bennett (1.0)

Chiefs Interceptions: Phillip Gaines (2), Rasean Bean (1), Patrick Singletary (1)

Kicking

Greg Zuerlein (LA): 3 FGs, 49 yd. long, 2 XP

Cairo Santos (KC): 2 FGs, 53 yd. long, 5 XP

Punting

Jacob Schum (KC): 4 punts, 280 net yds, 4 inside 20

Johnny Hekker (LA): 1 punt, 35 net yds

San Diego, California -- Week 1

The Broncos missed the playoffs in Season 2 after winning the AFC West in Season 1. Part of that had to do with the stout play of their division rivals, and part falls on poor performance on the field. 

After a uninteresting draft, speculation began early that the Broncos would be on the outside looking in this postseason, too.

In their Week 1 win over the defending AFC West champion San Diego Chargers, the Broncos looked like they have regained their Season 1 form.

In typical Broncos fashion, their recipe for success was running the ball and defending the pass.

C.J. Anderson rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns, picking up the slack for former Rookie of the Year Paxton Lynch, who had a less than desirable day at the office, throwing for 133 yards and no touchdowns.

But Lynch didn't need to be much better, as the offensive line dominated the game -- opening holes for Anderson and giving Lynch enough time in the pocket to take care of the ball.

On the defensive side, Phillip Rivers was forced to throw two interceptions, and the defensive line bottled up Melvin Gordon. Gordon finished the day with 83 yards and one touchdown, but 71 of those yards came on a broken counter to the outside.

Head coach Buster Cherry was pleased with what he saw on the field, but knows there is a lot of work to be done.

"You know, to come in here on the road and beat those guys...that was huge. They're the defending AFC West champs for a reason. They can play ball. Unfortunately for us, we've gotta' see them twice a year. Luckily for us, the next one is at home."

When asked about third year quarterback Paxton Lynch's performance, Cherry didn't mince words.

"Paxton is a guy that is huge. Literally 8 feet tall. And he came in here as a rookie and set the world on fire. But I told him after his (expletive) performance last season that if he didn't pick up his slack, I was going to tell the world something that he didn't want them to know. And since he didn't turn over the ball today, I'll hold off. They say black mail is bad, but I think it's a great motivational tactic. The little (expletive) will play better."

Lynch had no comment on any potential black mail Coach Cherry might have.

On the opposite sideline, Chargers head coach Rick Gibson was complimentary to the Broncos and their performance, but looking forward to the next matchup.

Week 6 of the first Madden 17 season is in the books. As we approach the halfway point of the season, lets rank the teams from not shitty to extremely shitty. 

1. Minnesota Vikings (6-0): Hard to put anyone else at the #1 spot, considering the Vikes are the only undefeated team remaining in our league. The schedule started out soft as Mitch Bitch cruised to a 3-0 start, but good wins over the Giants, Texans, and Eagles have sealed his legitimacy. Considering his division wouldn't intimidate my grandmother, I see Mitch winning his division without problems. His next real test won't be until Week 11 when the Cardinals come to town, but it would be great if Mitch lost every game from here out because, you know, we all hate Mitch a little. 

2. Cincinnatti Bengals (6-1): There are three one loss teams sitting behind Mitch's throne, but Cincy is easily the best of the bunch. With the league's #1 offense and #8 defense, this team is well rounded. Since losing their first game of the season to the Jets, the Bengals have rattled off six straight wins. The Giants (5-2) are coming to town on Monday Night Football in Week 10, but Jeep should be more concerned with his two dates with the Ravens (5-2) that still loom. This is a two-horse race in the AFC North. 

3. Philadelphia Eagles (5-1): Sure, the Raiders have one more win than the Eagles, but I hate the Raiders. The Eagles are leaning heavily on their defense (#5 in NFL), while their offense sputters. After getting off to a hot 5-0 start, the Vikings came to town and laid a good old fashioned prison raping on Tito. With the Redskins and Cowboys doing their best to embarass themselves, the Eagles have to fend off the Giants for NFC East supremecy. They still have yet to meet this season, and their Week 16 matchup in New York could be a division title game. 

4. Oakland Raiders (6-1): It's sad that I have to put the Raiders this high, but the Broncos, Chiefs, and Chargers are all making it easy for the Raiders to roll. And while the Eagles are winning on pure defense, the Raiders are relying on their offense almost exclusively. Their one loss came to Dicklan's Chiefs in Week 6, which could hurt them if Dicklan figures his shit out. Their schedule is easy from here on out, but their Week 14 rematch against the Chiefs could go a long way in proving whether or not the Raiders are for real. 

5. Arizona Cardinals (5-2): Leading our troupe of 5-2 teams is the Arizona Cardinals, who stuck it in my butt, sans lube, in Week 4. Their two losses came to the Jets (4-3) and Bills (4-3), both mediocre teams, so it is apparent that the Cards have their weaknesses. In fact, the Bills shut the Cardinals out. However, the Cardinals rank #4 in Total Defense and #7 in Total Offense, so they are also talented around the board. All signs point to their Week 17 matchup against yours truly, in what will more than likely be a winner take all for the division title. 

6. Los Angeles Rams (5-2): Not far behind are my Rams, who somehow have the 6th best offense in the league and the 19th ranked defense. If not for Todd Gurley and Aaron Donald, though, this team would be in bad shape. Tremendous returns on special teams by Tavon Austin are giving us favorable field position, and that's helping a lot. It hasn't been easy, as my largest margin of victory (against a user) was my Week 1 win over the 49ers (28-14). Again, this will all boil down to my Week 17 matchup against the rapists from Arizona. 

7. Baltimore Ravens (5-2): The Ravens are already in a heated division battle with the Bengals, and it's only Week 7. This division could come down to the first team to slip up, and so far that has been the Ravens. Their Week 4 loss to the Raiders was a great chance for them to seperate themselves as contenders, and while it was a close game it still goes up in the L column. If they can hold their own outside of the division, they can virtually clinch with two big wins against the Bengals. That's a tall order for Flacco and company, though. 

8. Indianapolis Colts (5-2): The Colts somehow have something special brewing on the defensive side of the ball, as they own the best defense in all of MaddenHub. How they're doing it is beyond me, but I give some credit to Sam for being a good user defender. They somehow dropped their first two games: a blowout loss to Kilo in Week 1 and a 10-6 snoozer against the Broncos in Week 2. Since then, they've figured things out, holding their opponents to a mere 12 points per game. A commish battle against the Chiefs is set up for Week 8, but the Colts look to have this division on lockdown. 

9. New York Giants (5-2): Again, the two horse race for the NFC East is between the Giants and Eagles. The Giants snuck by the Cowboys, Saints, Redskins, and Packers all by a margin of three points or less, before getting shell shocked by the Vikings and myself. Again, they still have the Eagles head to head twice on the schedule, so their chance to prove supreme will be in those two games. 

10. Kansas City Chiefs (4-2): Rounding out our two loss bunch is Dicklan and the Chiefs. Prior to the season, all signs pointed towards a Raider takeover of the AFC West. But who knew the Super Bowl Champion Broncos would fall so far from grace through seven games, or that the Chargers would be winless at this point? Luckily for Declan, he got a much needed win over those dirty Raiders in Week 6. Their two losses came to the Texans and Jets in back to back weeks, and the Colts (5-2) and Raiders games will be the biggest ones for the Chiefs to win. Outside of those two games, the schedule is favorable for the KC boys. 

11. Houston Texans (4-3): Kicking off our eight three-loss teams are the Texans, who have been hot and cold. Two of their three losses came at the hands of legitimate playoff contenders, but unfortunately one was a division rival in the Colts. The Raiders, Colts, and Bengals are three huge games remaining for the Texans, but in the tight AFC 10-6 might not be good enough for a playoff spot. The Texans will have to notch a key win in one of those three games to stamp their place in AFC power. Having the league's 3rd best defense will help. 

12. Chicago Bears (4-3): The Bears are nearing the top ten in offense and defense, but have missed a golden opportunity to beat three good teams. The Eagles, Colts, and Texans all toppled the Bears, and that trio is the only three good teams they've played to this point. Things don't get any easier for the Bears, as the Vikings (6-0) still loom twice, along with the Giants. Having Mitch in your division isn't fun, is it Luda?

13. Atlanta Falcons (4-3): Next up is the seemingly ageless Falcons, who boast the league's 4th best offense. A big reason as to why they are only 4-3?  Having the 28th worst defense in the league. The division is thin, so wins over the Bucs, Saints, and Panthers will go a long way for the Falcons' playoff hopes. But their divisional schedule isn't over, as the Bucs will host their Week 9 matchup, along with matchups against the Panthers and Saints to close out the season. Along the way, they'll have to meet up with the Cardinals (5-2), Chiefs (4-2), and Rams (5-2). It's possible, but not a guarantee for the Falcons to win the South. They'll need to find some defense to be a threat. 

14. Buffalo Bills (4-3): The Bills have always held a special place in my heart...for no reason, really. I just always root for them, unless they are playing my Broncos in real life. It's just something about the Bills Mafia that gets me going. My man-boner aside, the Bills are playing good defense (6th in NFL) but definitely have some work to do offensively. Two of their three losses came at the hands of teams with winning records (Ravens, Rams), and they got big wins over the Cardinals, Jets, and Patriots. The Jets are on their heels with an identical record, and it's likely there will also be a Week 17 winner-take-all game in the AFC East with the Bills and Jets. 

15. New York Jets (4-3): When I said the Jets were on the Bills' heels, I wasn't kidding. Big wins over the Bengals (6-1), Chiefs (4-2), and Cardinals (5-2) have made the case for the Jets being a contender, but the loss to Buffalo in Week 2 already looms large. The Rams and Colts are big games on the schedule, but in order for their Week 17 matchup against Buffalo to mean anything, they'll have to win the games against inferior teams. 

16. Detroit Lions (4-3): Why a 4-3 team could possibly be tanking is beyond me. Actually, it's not...because I remember that Mitch is in this division. Kilo could choose to play for a Wild Card, or continue to tank and get a good draft. We all know that Kilo's television screen has jizz stains on it from every draft he has ever been in, so giving him a high pick is not advised. But despite his best efforts to suck, Kilo has put in some good wins, including thwarting commish Sam's Colts 37-0 and former commish Anchorman's Titans 41-3. Things were looking good in Detroit until three consecutive losses to the Bears, Eagles, and myself. He's back on the winning track, though, having won his last two games. Up next? Who else but Mitch. 

17. Denver Broncos (4-3): DAMNIT TINKLE. I'm sorry, but my Broncos should not be this far down the list. In Xbomb I've got Paxton Lynch dropping dimes and I have only lost one game. But wait, Tinkle! It's not too late! You can turn things around. But it's going to have to take two wins over Dicklan's Chiefs. 

18. Seattle Seahawks (3-3): The finale of the three loss teams is the Seahawks. When looking at their defense (2nd in the NFL), one could say, wait how is this team #18 and 3-3 on the year? Then take your wandering eyes over to their offense. They have the LEAGUE'S. WORST. OFFENSE. And they've still won three games? But how? Even the 0-7 Chargers and Browns have better offenses than them? Well boys and girls, defense wins championships. Although I see no championships in this team's future. After being shellacked by the Cardinals in Week 7 (31-0), the morale of this team is a dumpster fire. And it doesn't help that the Cardinals and Rams are both in the Top 10. I don't want to jinx myself so....good luck? 

19. New Orleans Saints (3-4): Now is where the shit starts hitting the fan. Although out of the four loss teams, the Saints (and the next team on the list) have the most cause for optimism. The Saints have a top ten defense, and even a top twenty offense. After getting molested by the Raiders in Week 1, the Saints have lost nail-biters to the Giants (29-28) and Chiefs (41-38), who are both good teams. The loss to the Falcons in Week 3 hurts, but Atlanta is only one game ahead in the standings. All is not dead in Nawlins', but their schedule doesn't let up. Dates with the Rams, Bucs, Cardinals, and Falcons all lurk. 

20. Washington Redskins (3-4): The Redskins are firing on all cylinders offensively, with the 3rd best offense in the league. But after a 2-0 start, the Skins have lost four of their last five, including two division games. Because the Bengals, Vikings, Cardinals, Eagles, and Giants all remain on the schedule, and because the Eagles and Giants look poised to run this division, don't be surprised to see the Redskins near the bottom of this list by year's end. No offense...or should I say no defense? PUNS!

21. Miami Dolphins (3-4): The Dolphins have played well, and the Dolphins have played terribly. Big wins over the Patriots and Bills give them a bit of a confidence boost, but losses to the Seahawks, Titans and Steelers will not. The Jets still loom twice, along with the Rams, Ravens, Cardinals, and one more date with the Bills and Pats. But they won't be the worst team in the AFC East, because that will be the...

22. New England Patriots (3-4): The Pats are middle of the pack on both sides of the ball, and play in a pretty good division. However, everything is pointing towards the Pats finishing the year gathering the dust from the bottom of the division. Their wins haven't been good wins, and their losses have been big losses. They lost a close one to Buffalo in Week 4 but will get a chance to redeem themselves this week. A tough three game stretch in Weeks 12-14 (@ Jets, vs. Rams, vs. Ravens) won't help, and neither will closing out the season against the Jets and Dolphins. Time to rebuild, Belichek. 

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4): It was looking like it would be a long year for Tyler and the Bucs until Week 3...when he laid it on me. But after that win, the motivation couldn't be sustained as they dropped two more consecutive games. It won't be long before the Bucs are contenders, but for now all eyes are on next season. The Raiders, Falcons, Bears, Chiefs, and Saints (twice) could make this season a long one for Tyler. 

24. Carolina Panthers (2-4): My, how the mighty have fallen. I hate Cam Newton and the Panthers, so this is exciting for me. However, the Panthers have looked good at times, including their three point loss to Mitch (which is the closest anyone has come to dethroning that loser). Another pretty tough division, it's likely that members of the NFC South will beat up on each other so much that none of them will sustain a deep playoff run. The Cardinals, Rams, Chiefs, Saints, Raiders, Falcons and Bucs fill out their remaining schedule, and it could be a brutal stretch. 

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-4): The last of the teams that are a real threat is the Jags. Awalker is a good player, but after a 2-0 start he has dropped four consecutive games, albeit to good teams. Playing in a good division and having a rough schedule (@Chiefs, vs. Texans twice, @Bills, vs. Vikings, @Colts) doesn't look good for the Jags. 

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-5): Simply put, the Steelers have found a way to lose. They have the league's #2 offense, but their defense has more holes than a trypophobic picture (if you don't know what it is, don't google it. Trust me.). They're giving up 35 points per game, which is obviously the league high and obviously hard for any offense to overcome. In order to sustain some momentum, the defense has to be repaired. 

27. Tennessee Titans (2-5): The Titans are a similar case to the Steelers. They have the league's 9th best offense but the SECOND worst defense in the league. Most of the Titans losses have been blowouts, as is expected with a horrible defense. At least the Steelers have the offensive talent to be competitive, but it's no fault of Anchorman's. He's doing the best with what he's got, and it won't be long before he's got the Titans contending. 

28. San Fransisco 49ers (1-6): The Niners only win came against the Panthers, who were the best team any of these final five teams has beaten. They also, statistically, have better offensive and defensive units than any of those other five teams. Despite having been beaten by the Cowboys in a close one, the Niners have been more or less manhandled. Every team left on their schedule is .500 or better...so it may be safe to set the over under at 2.5 for the win total. 

29. Dallas Cowboys (1-5): I know the Cowboys beat the Niners, but the Cowboys have the second worst offense in the league. Zeke can't do it all, even if he thinks he can. They have been competitive in a couple games with good teams, but like the Niners the schedule doesn't let up. 

30. Green Bay Packers (1-5): These aren't your daddy's Packers. Ranking 30th in offense, which is hard to imagine, the Packers only win came over the Cowboys (see above). And as is the common theme, the schedule is tough. This might as well be your top five draft picks down here. 

31. Cleveland Browns (0-7): It's hard to seperate shit from more shit, but the Browns 11th ranked offense made it relatively easy for me. They have yet to get a win, but gosh darn it they try hard! If they're gonna get a win this season, their best shots will be against the Cowboys in Week 9, or what many are referring to as the Toilet Bowl in Week 16 against the Chargers (see below). 

32. San Diego Chargers (0-7): The Chargers rank 26th in offense and 30th in defense. That's a toxic combination, my friends. And considering their closest game was a 24-17 loss to the Broncos, things don't look good in the California forecast. As I said above, lets all tune in to the Week 16 Toilet Bowl matchup against the Browns. Seriously, it might be a fight between two teams who want to lose and get that #1 overall pick. 

That's all for this week, bitches. Remember who your favorite commish is. 

SWAN

You bums chose AFC West teams on your "Top 7" 34 times. Not surprisingly, the Raiders were chosen more than any other team at 20 times. 8 of you wanted my Broncos, 4 of you wanted the Chiefs, and only two lost souls wanted the Chargers (myself included). So without further delay, here are your teams. 

1. Denver Broncos - Tinklenut (Previous Team: Giants)

Tinkle takes over the reigning Super Bowl champions, but with a few more question marks than they have had in previous years. The obvious question is, who will Tinkle go with at quarterback? Will it be the turnover prone and "surely he isn't good in this Madden" vet Mark Sanchez? Will he go with the no-name Northwestern alum Trevor Siemian? Or will he choose to throw rookie Paxton Lynch into the flames right away in order to develop him? More than likely, Lynch will be a normal dev player, so that will be an interesting story to follow. 

On offense, outside of the quarterback situation, there is a lot to be excited for for Tinkle. In fact, there's really no way the Broncos can be any worse offensively than they were last year. The obvious weapons will be returning in the form of Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, and C.J. Anderson. Sophomore tight end Jeff Heuerman could also be a threat in the receiving corps and the rushing attack. Up front, the Broncos bolstered their line by adding Russell Okung, Donald Stephenson, and rookie guard Conner McGovern. The only real hole on the offensive side of the ball is the interior offensive line, so that's something Tinkle may feel the need to address. 

Obviously the defense is still stacked. Despite what happens in real life, it's unlikely that Tinkle allows Von Miller to hit free agency. If he was smart, the first thing he should do upon the M17 launch would be to lock up Miller to a long term deal. The defensive line took a hit when Malik Jackson fled for the not-so-green pastures of Jacksonville, but Derek Wolfe proved last season that he is a legitimate pass rusher and run stuffer. Sylvester Williams is also a dominant threat on the line. The pass rush is still elite with the likes of Miller, DeMarcus Ware, and Shane Ray returning. Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., and Bradley Roby will anchor down the secondary, along with big hitting veterans TJ Ward and Darian Stewart. Good luck against this defense, but look for Tinkle to look to gain some speed in the secondary very quickly. 

All in all, this team is still a very potent threat to the division and the conference. Tinkle has proven to be an adequate Madden user, so it will be interesting to see how he fends off the Chiefs and Raiders. The Broncos will have roughly $5M in cap space, which is not ideal considering most, if not all, of that will be eaten up by Von Miller's new contract. 

Swan's Season 1 Prediction: 6-10 (3rd in AFC West)

2. Kansas City Chiefs - Declan (Previous Team: Seahawks)

My old rival Declan returns to his old stomping grounds in Kansas City when Madden 17 kicks off. When Hub first started, Declan roamed the streets of Kansas City looking for good barbeque and a playoff wins against my Broncos...and more often than not, he found the latter. I ran the division with the Broncos but could never get past his Chiefs in the playoffs. The lone commish in the AFC West, Declan is a solid user who will look to build his team from the ground up through solid drafting and free agency. 

On offense, the Chiefs will be ready to do some damage, but will have some work to do. Veteran safety net Alex Smith will return to the helm at quarterback, but don't be surprised to see Declan make a move relatively quickly at that position. The receiving corps will again be led by former Mizzou standout Jeremy Maclin, but outside of him the receivers are average at best. Free agent Rod Streater will look to help, but will likely be nothing more than an average redzone threat in Madden. Tight end Travis Kelce will likely be the Chiefs' biggest offensive threat. With one of the best pure Madden skillsets, Kelce is a threat no matter where the ball is on the field. Obviously, running back Jamaal Charles is always a threat, but has a knack for getting injured. Considering he will turn 30 by the end of the season, there is likely not much left in the tank for Charles. It will be interesting to see what kind of skills Charcandrick West will have in this Madden, but look for Declan to make a move for a running back early. On the line, the Chiefs are below average following the departure of their starting tackle Donald Stephenson. Rookie Parker Ehinger will likely be a porous starter at guard. 

Defensively, the Chiefs have some holes but also some exciting players. Veterans Justin Houston, Derrick Johnson, and Tamba Hali will roam the front seven, making for a solid pass rush threat. Sophomore corner Marcus Peters, coming off a strong Rookie of the Year campaign, will likely be one of the premier corners in the game this season. It is likely that Declan will use at least one of those four players as trade bait early. Also in the secondary at free safety is cancer-free Eric Berry, who is a big hitting, ball hawking safety that will make it difficult on opposing offenses' passing games. 

The Chiefs have just over $1M remaining in cap space, meaning there won't be a lot of wiggle room to kick off Madden 17. However, Declan is a good enough player to where he is a legitimate threat to win the division. But given the dominance of the Broncos defense and the rise of the Oakland Raiders, Declan will have his work cut out for him. 

Swan's Prediction: 11-5 (1st in AFC West)

3. Oakland Raiders - M4ytrs (Previous Team - Raiders)

M4ytrs will take over one of the most desired teams in Madden 17. With promising young talent and a slew of returning veterans, these Raiders will look to make some immediate noise in Madden 17. He has proven that he can win some big games, and with this talented group, M4ytrs will likely be as safe of a bet as any to win the division. 

On offense, Derek Carr will return to lead the team at quarterback. However, the Raiders also drafted Connor Cook out of Michigan State, so it will be interesting to see if M4ytrs will use Cook or Carr as trade bait. Given that Cook was a mid-round pick, it is possible that he will have a higher development trait, which will make him a prime trade target for other teams. The backfield will be solid, particularly with Madden 17's new focus on the running game. Latavius Murray will get a bulk of the carries, and free agent signee Roy Helu will likely be the scat back. Fullback Marcel Reece also typically reigns in some good Madden attributes, and can be a quick checkdown threat in the passing game. At wide receiver, the obvious weapon is Amari Cooper. One of Madden 16's best wide receivers, Cooper will thrive on the deep ball and short speed routes. Veteran Michael Crabtree will also look to reign in some big targets from Derek Carr. Tight end will be a position to watch for the Raiders, as Clive Walford is projected to be the starter. Look for M4ytrs to put a focus on adding a threatening TE or WR early on. On the line, the Raiders are pretty good, particularly with the signing of RG Kelechi Osemele from Baltimore.

On defense, the Raiders just continue to get better. Led by DE Khalil Mack, the Raiders will have a legitimate pass rush, with Mario Edwards Jr. coming off the right end opposite Mack. Up the middle, free agent signee Dan Williams will look to stuff the run. The linebacking crew got better with the addition of Bruce Irvin and Malcom Smith, both from the Seahawks. However, MLB could be an area of concern as Ben Heeney will likely be a work in progress. At corner, the Raiders added former Chief Sean Smith and David Amerson, but will likely need to improve at that position to stop the potent passing attacks from the other three teams in the division. Rookie safety Karl Joseph and vet Reggie Nelson will roam the defensive backfield, as Joseph looks to be a good sign. 

Arguably the biggest threat for this team is their old, fat kicker Sebastian Janikowski. However, this team has talent all over the field. And don't forget, Aldon Smith is a Raider now too. It will be interesting to see the approach Madden 17 takes when the first roster update is dropped. Will Smith be available? If he is, look out. The Raiders won't have much cap space, but will likely look to make a trade here or there to build an already young and talented team. I don't think they'll win the division in season one, but look for them to contend and find a way to knock Declan off relatively quickly. 

Swan's Prediction: 10-6 (2nd in AFC West)

4. San Diego Chargers - Purple Reign (Previous Team: Vikings)

Finally, one of the three teams hardly anyone wanted, the Chargers. However, Purple Reign can make some noise and, with the right moves, might not be as far behind in the division as people think. I think this team has some pieces to be successful, so we will see what old Purple does with them.

On offense, the quarterback position will once again be manned by Philip Rivers. Old Felipe still has some gun-slinging in his satchel, but I envision Purple Reign will draft a QB in the first M17 draft. If he nails that draft pick, Felipe could be a trade chip to a team that is desperately desperate. In the backfield, super soph Melvin Gordon will look to overcome his not-so-super frosh season. Luckily for the Chargers, his Madden skills are better than his real life skills, and with M17's focus on the running game, he could be a potent talent. As far as receivers go, Keenan Allen will look to once again be dominant, alongside former Brown Travis Benjamin and former Niner Stevie Johnson. Dontrelle Inman and Isaiah Burse could also be surprising weapons for this team. At tight end, Antonio Gates will be opposite rookie Hunter Henry. It is unlikely that Gates will be around much longer, so look for the Chargers to spend a little extra time with Henry. Up front, the Chargers had to improve to keep up with the pass rushers in the division. Orlando Franklin, King Dunlap, DJ Fluker, and Joe Barksdale are all tested vets who, when healthy, can provide a clean pocket for Felipe. 

On defense, the Chargers have to be excited about the addition of rookie Joey Bosa. Bosa could prove to be a valuable piece to the competitive puzzle for this team. They also added FA NT Brandon Mebane from the Seahawks, and return LBs Manti Te'o, Denzel Perryman, and Melvin Ingram. At corner, Brandon Flowers and Jason Verrett will look to look things down. Verrett was very good in M16, and I don't expect much difference this year. 

In the end, this team is not as far away from contention as you would think. With a few of the right moves, the Chargers could return to their former competitiveness within no time. With roughly $8M in cap space, the Chargers have some room to better their team immediately. 

Swan's Prediction: 7-9 (4th in AFC West)

There you go, thirsty bitches.

Cincinnatti, Ohio - June 6th, 2016

The Baltimore Ravens have breezed through their first ten games of the season, and now sit at 10-0. With six games left to play, what are the chances that we will see a perfect regular season from the Purple Haze? And even further, what kind of shot does this team have to bring home the Lombardi Trophy? 

Lets start by looking at the perfect season.

The Ravens remaining opponents have a combined record of 32-28, which isn't great but isn't bad. What that record doesn't tell you is that the Ravens next three opponents (Jaguars, Steelers, Bengals) are a combined 20-9.

Lets look at the history Baltimore has with these teams. Their last meeting against the Jaguars was Week 2 of last season, when the Ravens won in a shootout 52-34. The Steelers and Bengals are division foes that the Ravens have beaten once already this season. In Week 6, the Ravens pummelled the Steelers 38-14 at home, and just last week, in Week 11, the Ravens squeaked out a last second thriller to stun the upset-minded Bengals 30-28. 

Percent Chance They Win All Three: 40%

• I give the 40% chance for two reasons. One, this Jaguars team is much improved from last year's team...and two, I never count out divisional opponents. The Steelers are much better than they showed in Week 6, and the Bengals virtually had the Ravens beat last week.

The Ravens last three games come against opponents from the abysmal NFC North, where the Vikings are leading the division with a record of....yes, 5-5. The Vikings will be the toughest test of the three, but I really don't see the Ravens having any problems with these teams. This may be bulletin board material for them, but who cares.

Percent Chance They Win the Last Three: 90%

• It's an upset minded league, and who knows what Head Coach Peyton Manning will do in the last two weeks if they already have a 1st Round Bye clinched up. Will he rest the starters or go for history? Maybe we'll find out. 

Bottom line here is, if the Ravens can get through their next three games without a loss, I see them becoming the first 16-0 team since the 2007 New England Patriots.

Percent Chance the Ravens Go 16-0: 60%

Playoff Picture

If the regular season ended today, this would be your playoff picture. 

#1 Seed: Baltimore Ravens (10-0) - Bye

#2 Seed: Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) - Bye

#3 Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3) vs. #6 Denver Broncos (7-3)

#4 Oakland Raiders (7-3) vs. #5 Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)

Knocking On The Door: Cincinnati Bengals (6-4), New England Patriots (6-4) 

As you can see, the Ravens don't have a necessarily easy path to the Super Bowl, but most of these teams will be teams the Ravens have beaten once already this season. The Chiefs, Raiders, and Broncos would all pose a new threat to the Ravens, but given the discrepancy between the Ravens and Chiefs and the rest of the AFC, I think we're looking at a #1 vs. #2 AFC Championship game. 

The Ravens have the most prolific offense in the entire NFL. If they can get their defense to step up here and there, they have as good of a shot as anyone at a Super Bowl victory. 

Baltimore, Maryland - May 31st, 2016

For weeks, we in the press have talked about the chip Lekambrick Dawkins has on his shoulder after being snubbed for the AFC Rookie of the Year award last season in favor of Colts QB Zach Burleson.

We finally got to see the two head to head, and it did not disappoint.

In a good old fashioned shootout, Burleson may have racked up more yards and touchdowns than Dawkins. But in the end, Dawkins was on the upper-end of the scoreboard, and his Ravens remained undefeated at the Colts expense. 

The game, which the Ravens won 54-39, really came down to two key factors: the Ravens ability to run the ball, and the Colts defense. 

Burleson racked up 542 yards on 32 attempts, while throwing 5 TDs and 1 INT. But his rushing attack was non-existent, as four different Colts combined for 7 yards on 14 attempts. Conversely, Dawkins threw for 370 yards on 25 attemps with 3 TDs and 0 INTs, and still has yet to throw a single interception on the season. The Ravens ground game racked up nearly 200 yards on 22 attempts. 

It was the offensive balance that led to the Ravens pulling out a victory. Lekambrick Dawkins gave credit to his offensive line. 

"Man, I've gotta give props to my line. I wasn't sacked at all...had tons of time to throw back there, and they opened up huge holes for our running game. Credit to those guys, they played a hell of a game."

When asked about finally being able to go against Burleson, Dawkins deflected the question.

"You guys know how I feel about not getting the award last year. If they think he's the better player, so be it. You can ask the guys on defense what they thought of him today. All I know is we won the game and he didn't." 

Colts GM Relentless, facing off against his childhood friend Swan, acknowledged that his defense's inability to make stops was the difference maker. 

"As the legendary Bart Scott would say, we couldn't stop a nose bleed today. That will be something we will be looking to amp up this offseason -- our defense." 

However, the Ravens defense was porous as well, which can be easily indicated by Burleson's numbers. Coach Peyton Manning said their ability to make stops at crucial times was key. 

"You know, the defense kind of sucked today. The run defense was solid, the pass rush was there, but our secondary blew it. We can't expect to be able to allow 500+ yards in the air and 39 points and win games. We got lucky today because their offense was good but ours was more efficient. Defense has to step it up or we won't be undefeated for long."

Wide receiver Breshad Perriman became the league's leading wideout, now sitting at 1,007 yards on the year. 

The Ravens (7-0), one of the league's two remaining undefeated teams, will host the Lions (4-3) in Week 9. Longtime rivals Swan and Mitch will duke it out for seemingly the 100th time, and Mitch has won all of them. The Colts (0-7), caught between a rebuild and confusion, will search for their first win of the season next week as they travel to Seattle to take on Declan's Sea-Cocks (6-1). 

Game Stats

Passing

Zach Burleson (IND): 19/32, 569 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT

Lekambrick Dawkins (BAL): 15/25, 370 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT

Rushing

Javorius Allen (BAL): 16 carries, 133 yards, 3 TDs 

Justin Forsett (BAL): 2 carries, 12 yards, 1 TD

DeAndre Gordon (IND): 11 carries, 8 yards

Receiving 

Coby Fleener (IND): 5 receptions, 238 yards, 2 TDs

Breshad Perriman (BAL): 4 receptions, 211 yards, 3 TDs

T.Y. Hilton (IND): 4 receptions, 148 yards, 1 TD

Donte Moncrief (IND): 2 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD

Michael Crabtree (IND): 4 receptions, 57 yards, 1 TD

Defense

Ravens Sacks: Brandon Williams, Terrence Brooks, Terrell Suggs, Daryl Smith

Colts Sacks: None

Ravens Interceptions: Will Hill III

Colts Interceptions: None

Kicking

Justin Tucker (BAL): 2 FG, 57 yd. long, 6 XP

John Potter (IND): 2 FG, 28 yd. long, 4 XP

May 26th, 2016 - Baltimore, Maryland

Coach Peyton Manning's formula has varied greatly since he took over the Ravens in MaddenHub's 4th season.

In his first season, he tried the disciplinarian role, much to the dismay of the Ravens players. After a 6-10 season, the grumblings of Manning not being a capable head coach had already begun. 

In season two, he adapted the technical, perfectionist, player's coach role, and began coaching much like he played. Articulate. Precise. Fun-loving and humorous. These changes were greeted with a decent 9-7 showing, an AFC Wild Card birth, but ultimately a first round playoff exit.

Much like he would do on a Monday morning following one of his 186 wins as a starting quarterback, Manning examined the tape. But instead of watching tape on his players, he took some time to reflect on his own abilities. His coaching talent, rather than his playing talent. He came into this season with a perfected coaching approach, and it's paying off. Manning knew his team had the talent, the difference was his coaching ability.

The Ravens, now 6-0 and one of only three undefeated teams remaining in the league, are firing on all cylinders. And the players credit that, for the most part, to their head coach.

"Man, to be able to come to practice every day and learn from a guy like Coach Manning, it's surreal. There's not much else a guy, especially a young quarterback like me, can ask for. He's great."

Even the defensive players have sang the praises of Manning.

"It's unbelievable how much he knows about the game. Especially the defensive side. Coach (Defensive Coordinator Wade) Phillips knows everything there is to know about defense, but Coach Manning comes up with something new every day. He's a perfectionist, and right now...we're perfect. We plan to keep it that way." said defensive tackle Brandon Williams.

If there was any doubt that the Ravens were contenders before, their 38-14 win over the Steelers on Thursday Night Football silenced that doubt. The offense was clicking, the defense was smothering, and even the lucky bounces were going in Baltimore's favor.

Quarterback Lekambrick Dawkins threw three more touchdowns, and has still yet to throw his first interception of the season. The running game was ignited on a 53-yard run by Lance Dunbar, who was signed as a backup but has been the bell cow after Javorious Allen's abdominal injury. Allen is expected back next week, but don't expect Dunbar to be a mere benchwarmer from this point on. 

The defense forced typically safe quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into throwing four interceptions, had one sack and repeated pressure, and completely shut down one of the league's best running backs in Le'Veon Bell.

This Ravens team is for real, and it's time to take notice. 

The Ravens (6-0) will travel to Oakland to face the Raiders (3-1). The Steelers (4-1), will host the Vikings (2-3). 

Game Stats

Passing

Lekambrick Dawkins (BAL): 14/19, 284 yards, 3 TDs

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT): 16/29, 192 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs

Rushing

Lance Dunbar (BAL): 17 carries, 126 yards, 1 TD

Le'Veon Bell (PIT): 12 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD

Lache Seastrunk (PIT): 2 carries, 54 yards

Receiving

Breshad Perriman (BAL): 5 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TDs

Maxx Williams (BAL): 2 receptions, 49 yards, 1 TD

A.C. Leonard (PIT): 4 receptions, 37 yards, 1 TD

Defense

Ravens Interceptions: Will Hill III (2), C.J. Mosley, Alfonzo Dennard

Steelers Interceptions: None

Ravens Sacks: Terrell Suggs

Steelers Sacks: None

Kicking

Justin Tucker (BAL): 1 FG, 18 yd. long, 5 XP

Chris Boswell (PIT): 0 FG, 2 XP

About Swan

Real Name: Josh

GT: Gracefull Swan

Hometown: Branson, Missouri

Favorite Sports Teams: Denver Broncos, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Oklahoma City Thunder, Oklahoma Sooners

Occupation: Game Day Ambassador for Springfield Cardinals (AA-Affiliate of St. Louis Cardinals), singer/songwriter

MaddenHub Seasons: 5

Season 1 (Broncos): 12-4

Season 2 (Broncos): 11-5

Season 3 (Broncos): 11-5

Season 4 (Ravens): 6-10

Season 5 (Ravens): 9-7

Overall Record: 49-31

Playoff Appearances: 4

Playoff Record: 1-4

Super Bowl Appearances: 0

Super Bowl Wins: 0

Player Interview

Who is your favorite person to play against?

"To be honest, I've always loved playing Anchorman when he was here, and Declan. Anchorman and I always had like a three point spread in our games, and Declan always knocked me out of the playoffs, but it was fun."

Who is your biggest rival?

"Definitely Declan. For three straight seasons before the restart, he knocked me out of the playoffs. I like him but apparently he hates me now." 

Are you friends with anyone in the league in real life?

"Colts (Relentless) and I went to high school together and played baseball together for three years. Mitch and I were supposed to be friends but he was going to come visit me and then bailed. And I bought pizza for Declan once, but he hates me. And Falcunt and I are snapchat friends."

Who was your best draft pick in all of your seasons in Hub?

"I really felt like I hit it out of the park with the quarterback that I drafted before the restart, Jordan Foreman. He was fast dev and had a lot of good attributes and led me to three straight AFC West titles. But I think the QB I have now could be even better, plus he's got a great name (Lekambrick Dawkins). 

Most memorable game? 

"Probably this preseason when I whooped Declan's ass."

The following are the MaddenHub team postseason records since Hub's inception, in order of most wins. 

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 8-4

2. Chicago Bears: 7-1

3. Washington Redskins: 7-4

4. Tampa Bay Bucs: 5-2

5. Baltimore Ravens: 5-3

6. Cincinnati Bengals: 3-2

7. Buffalo Bills: 3-3

8. Pittsburgh Steelers: 3-5

9. Carolina Panthers: 2-1

10. Atlanta Falcons: 2-2

11. New England Patriots: 2-3

12. Houston Texans: 1-1 

T13. Detroit Lions: 1-2

T13. Philadelphia Eagles: 1-2

T15. Denver Broncos: 1-3

T15. Minnesota Vikings: 1-3

T15. St. Louis Rams: 1-3

18. Seattle Seahawks: 1-4

T19. Dallas Cowboys: 0-1

T19. Indianapolis Colts: 0-1

T19. Jacksonville Jaguars: 0-1

T19. New York Giants: 0-1

23. Tennessee Titans: 0-2