As a lifelong gamer and avid follower of Madden ratings, I must say this week’s update left me both elated and frustrated. On one hand, it’s great to see players like Saquon Barkley and Josh Allen getting closer to joining the exclusive 99 Club, especially after their impressive performances throughout the season. However, as a die-hard Eagles fan, I can’t help but feel that Barkley has been snubbed yet again by the Madden team.

I remember when he was a rookie and his Madden rating was through the roof, only to see it plummet in subsequent years despite his talent on the field. This year, he’s had another strong season, but his Madden rating seems to be stuck in neutral. It’s like they’re punishing him for not being a flashy player or for not playing for a more popular team.

But hey, I guess that’s just the way things go sometimes. At least we have the joy of watching Barkley run roughshod over defenders every Sunday, and the satisfaction of knowing that he’ll probably get a boost in next year’s Madden ratings if he continues to play at this level.

On a lighter note, I can’t help but wonder what the Madden team is smoking when they decide on these ratings. How does a player like Kerby Joseph go from being virtually unknown at the start of the season to leading the league in interceptions and getting a huge boost in his rating? I mean, I’m all for giving credit where it’s due, but come on, Madden team! Give the man some love!

In any case, I’ll be tuning into Week 18 to see how my Eagles finish off the season and to keep an eye on those players who received a boost in their ratings. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll finally get to play as a team with a roster that accurately reflects the talent on the field. Until then, I’ll just have to make do with what I’ve got!

Oh, and for anyone wondering about my joke: Why was the Madden rating so ugly? Because it had no face! (I know, I know…I’m a riot!)

As a long-time fan of football games and the Madden series, I eagerly await the arrival of the Madden 25 Player Ratings for Week 18. Players like Saquon Barkley and Josh Allen are on the cusp of joining the exclusive 99 Club, and I can’t wait to see how they perform this week. For players on teams not in the playoff race, Week 18 offers one final opportunity to boost their ratings based on their performance. I always find it fascinating to watch the ratings change throughout the season, as players rise and fall based on their on-field success. As a football enthusiast, it’s an exciting time of year when every game matters and players have the chance to make a lasting impact on their Madden ratings. So let’s take a closer look at the Madden 25 Player Ratings for Week 18 and see who comes out on top!

Madden 25 Player Ratings For Week 18 – Saquon Barkley Snubbed From 99 Club

A historic season brings @saquon up to 98 OVR #Madden25 | @Eagles

— Madden NFL 25 (@EAMaddenNFL) January 3, 2025

  • Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles – 98 OVR (+1) – Madden 25 Player Ratings

As a lifelong football fan and someone who has closely followed the careers of many great running backs, I firmly believe that Saquon Barkley deserves to be in the 99 Club alongside Derrick Henry. In my opinion, any running back who racks up over 2,200 yards and scores 15 touchdowns in a single season should be considered among the elite. However, what truly sets Barkley apart is his ability to drive the Eagles’ offense this year. While the passing game may not have been flashy, it was Barkley and the Eagles’ Offensive Line that stole the show.

In my experience, I’ve seen many talented players come and go, but few have had the impact on their team’s success that Barkley has had this season. Unfortunately, Barkley won’t play in Week 18, which leaves us wondering if EA Sports will add him to the club after the season is over. In my opinion, they would be making a mistake by leaving him out of the 99 Club. Barkley’s skill, consistency, and ability to carry an offense make him deserving of this elite status.

  • Josh Allen, Buffalo Bils – 98 OVR (+1)

RT if MVP favorite @JoshAllenQB should reach the #99Club this season #Madden25 | @BuffaloBills

— Madden NFL 25 (@EAMaddenNFL) January 3, 2025

It’s unlikely that Allen will feature in Week 18, but he had an exceptional season overall. He managed a total of 40 touchdowns and gave away the ball just eight times across sixteen matches. Although his passing yardage was lower, Allen and the Bills are second in the league with their points per game average at 31.8. If not for Lamar Jackson, we believe that Allen and Barkley would be competing closely for the MVP title.

  • Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens – 91 OVR (+1)

Pro Bowler @kyledhamilton_ is going #Madden25 | @Ravens

— Madden NFL 25 (@EAMaddenNFL) January 3, 2025

In a crushing 31-2 victory against Houston, Hamilton snatched an interception for the Ravens. Over the past few weeks, Baltimore’s defense has been performing exceptionally well, with no team scoring more than 24 points since their 35-34 win over Cincinnati in November. During this period, only two teams have managed to score 20 or more points against them. Without a doubt, Kyle Hamilton is due recognition for his outstanding performance.

  • Christian Gonzales, New England Patriots – 89 OVR (+1)

The @Patriots young star moves up #Madden25 | @chrisgonzo28

— Madden NFL 25 (@EAMaddenNFL) January 3, 2025

Over the course of the season, our focus has consistently been on Gonzales, who’s proven himself to be the top player on the team in terms of Overall Rating (OVR). He’s not frequently mentioned, which is a testament to his skill as a cornerback (CB). Quarterbacks tend to avoid targeting him because he excels at making tackles and holding his ground in coverage. In essence, we believe that Gonzales will continue to improve from this point forward.

  • Kerby Joseph, Detroit Lions – 89 OVR (+2)

+12 OVR this season for @JKERB25 #Madden25 | @Lions

— Madden NFL 25 (@EAMaddenNFL) January 3, 2025

As a gamer, I’ve been riding the roller coaster with my team, the Lions, especially with all the injuries stacking up. But players like Kerby Joseph have been stepping up, keeping our spirits high and maintaining our lead in the NFC. Last week against the 49ers, he snagged two interceptions, bumping his season tally to a staggering nine. With our season-finale fast approaching this Sunday Night, it’s clear that this game is the most significant one of the year for us. We’re going head-to-head with Minnesota, and Joseph will need to shine brighter than ever if we want to clinch a win. Let’s hope for a victory!

  • C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles – 86 OVR (+2)

For the initial three weeks of the year, Gardner-Johnson seemed lackluster. However, much like his teammates, he’s transformed into a different player since the Bye week. Starting from Week 8, he’s managed six interceptions, one of which he took for a 70-yard touchdown against Dallas last week. Currently, he leads the team in interceptions, and the Eagles are among the top teams in the league. In total, they concede an average of only 18.1 points per game (third best), along with just 280.9 yards per game (first).

In summary, some significant shifts occurred in the Madden 25 Player Ratings during Week 18. Unfortunately, EA Sports has not updated their Madden 25 Ratings Page as of now, preventing us from providing a list of players who experienced OVR adjustments. However, if you manually update your game’s rosters, you should be able to view the latest ratings for each player.

Two other players we do know who received adjustments include:

  • Garrett Williams, Arizona Cardinals – 80 OVR (+6 in last two weeks)
  • Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles, – 81 OVR (+2)

This season, the two young cornerbacks have performed exceptionally well. Notably, many cornerbacks and safeties appear to have received an upgrade in their ratings. Among the eight players discussed, six hold positions as either a cornerback or safety.

In Week 18, we’ve reached the concluding week of the regular season. If your squad didn’t make it to the playoffs, this is your last opportunity to catch them before the offseason kicks off. By now, many postseason positions have been secured, but teams are still battling for a higher rank or the division lead. If you’re fortunate, your team might be resting their key players this week to gear up for the next round.

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2025-01-03 20:09