Every team hopes to put themselves in a
position to not only compete, but hold their spot in the Premier Madden League.
What is a teams realistic ceiling in season 2? How good can each team be with
their current roster, user, and divisional foes? Or how badly can things fall
apart? Lets dive into AFC…
AFC EAST (Arod)
Jets
Ceiling: 11-6, Win division
Greeny adds a new element to his offense that
will help him open up what was considered a one-dimensional offense last season
as the brunt of the load was on the legs of Dalvin Cook. They moved up to the
number 1 overall selection to take Caleb Williams, who will now add the option
to the Jets arsenal which will open things up a bit for Cook. I hold the
ceiling at winning the division because the AFC will be h*** this year and any
first round matchup could be a nightmare for Greeny as he still learns how to
use the rookie.
Floor: 5-12, Miss playoffs
The defense lost a lot of depth as they will
now lean on some younger guys on the d-line and secondary. The loss of Sauce
Gardner will allow the opposing offense to exploit the Jets in the passing game
and the entire trade backfires for the Jets. Greeny has a very difficult
schedule ahead of him that may see more growing pains than success in the 2nd
year of the cycle.
Bills
Ceiling: 11-6, Conference round
It took me a bit, but I am starting to see
Beast as a solid coach in this league. I think he has the roster advantage
over every team in this division and if he could come out and compete on a more
consistent level this year, I think he could ‘steal’ the division from the
Patriots. Expect Beast to play his style of football, regardless of what the
critics say, and come out and surprise a few more people this season.
Floor: 6-11, Miss playoffs
Like I mentioned in the Jets write-up, the
Bill have a difficult schedule this season considering they play some good
competition within and the NFC West on the agenda. The 30 interception
threshold for Josh Allen becomes a factor midway through the season, and Beast
goes into preservation mode the rest of the way. This is a realistic
possibility in Buffalo.
Patriots
Ceiling: 13-4, Win Super Bowl
They were oh-so-close to pulling out what many
thought would be impossible with the out of the box, not fit for Madden season
1 Patriots. Sp did an excellent job making something out of nothing while
developing key players for future success. I do not think the roster is
necessarily better, but I think he has the attributes in his rookies that he
was missing in season 1 and will allow him to further play his style of
football.
Floor: 10-7, Wildcard loss
So yeah, Spdot is tailoring the team to his
liking with an astounding 12 draft picks this past draft. You would have to
think for the majority of them, finding playing time in key positions will
likely happen whether they are thrown in the fire on day 1, or slowly emerge
throughout the season after some AR. This could surely backfire for the
Patriots as a lot of these players are inexperienced and raw heading into their
rookie season. He did what he had to do with the roster, and hats off to him,
but it may be a few seasons until we see the finished product of the Patriots
season 2 draft.
Dolphins
Ceiling: 7-10, Miss playoffs
Looking at the schedule, I unfortunately see
very few games where Deebo is the better user and/or team. I think the
Dolphins are the team in the division to take the biggest step back as their
peers all progress their rosters and move forward. The Waddle pick didn’t pan
out the way they probably would have hoped as the Falcons won a nice amount of
games after the trade. That may have been the trade that defines the cycle in
Miami. I just dont see a playoff appearance in the cards with the emergence of
several teams in the conference.
Floor: 3-14, Miss playoffs
The season could quickly turn into a rebuild
season as they assess the roster and focus on a home run draft pick for the
following season. I don’t believe 3 wins is the more realistic scenario, but
again based on the schedule and the development within the division and
conference, I think wins will be harder to come by than they did in season 1.
AFC North (Hypemike)
Steelers
Ceiling: 10-7, Divisional
This team shocked everyone by beating the
Chargers and making it to the divisional round. I say that the Steelers can
easily repeat that, but I cannot see them making it past the 2nd round. The AFC
is full of loaded teams and this Steelers defense is getting older.
Floor: 3-14, Miss Playoffs
With a user like KMFO being added to the
division, the morale of the Steelers could be affected. A checked out Steelers
coach can easily only win 3 games. It just depends on if the coach really cares
or not. There has been a myth about how he threw almost 100 INTs in a season to
tank. Who knows if he checks out this season.
Browns
Ceiling: 17-0, Wins Super Bowl
Without a doubt the best user in PML right now
based off of his resume. He is walking into an 87 rated team with a division
that has arguably been the worst last season. He has had undefeated seasons
before and we obviously know what he is capable of. This should not be a shock
to anyone that he could easily win 20 games in a row.
Floor: 14-3, AFC Championship
The earliest we have ever seen KMFO lose in
the playoffs was in the conference championship to the Detroit Lions coached by
Hypemike. Yes this is my biggest PML accomplishment and I am still holding
on to it. Anyways, this is the only way he does not win the super bowl. It
will take a valiant effort from a user in the AFC championship to knock him
out. He will most likely be the 1 seed so his toughest AFC opponent will not
show up until then.
Ravens
Ceiling: 4-13, Miss Playoffs
Arod has been wheeling and dealing like he
does in every off season of PML. He has added another ability CB with sauce
gardner to his roster. It will be tough to pass the ball on this team with two
lockdown corners, but given the history Arod has it may be tough to see him
getting more than 4 wins this season. Especially with how well the Steelers
played and the addition of the new Browns user, it may be trouble for him. I am
hoping for better results, but I have to be realistic here.
Floor: 1-16, Misses Playoffs
Arod will win at least one game this season
for sure. He knows how to run the ball and has added to his defense. He could
sneak one out, but given his track record and how loaded the AFC is right now
this record could become a reality.
Bengals
Ceiling: 3-14 Miss Playoffs
I believe the Bengals had a 3-14 record the
first season of this cycle as well. So I think they keep on the same track and
this is their ceiling for the season. I’m hoping the Bengals can do well of
course but I cannot be biased here. Based on his user history and how tough his
division is now he may get only 3 wins. On the flip side, adding the new high
tier Browns user may push the Bengals to becoming a playoff team. Hopefully
they can take that leap with Joe Burrow at QB.
Floor: 0-17, Miss Playoffs
The Bengals coach has had a winless season
before in PML if I am not mistaken. This is the only reason I am putting this
as their floor. History could repeat itself in a tough division like this.
However, this is not likely because I see them winning at least 3 games for
sure. Let’s say Madden doesn’t go their way in the winnable games for them and
this record could become true. Out of the floors in the AFC North though, this
is the most likely not to happen in my opinion.
AFC West (Hypemike)
Chiefs
Ceiling: 14-3, Divisional
You can put ththe Chiefs in as a lock for the
playoffs just about every season. The only reason I am saying they could be a
2nd round exit is because of the Browns. The AFC West will be way more
competitive next season and I expect the Chiefs to drop a few games but not
many. The way the AFC is though it may be hard to get past the 2nd round with a
declining Travis Kelce and super young defense.
Floor: 10-7, Wildcard
This Chiefs team will not be missing the
playoffs. They are coached by one of the best regular season coaches
statistically BY FAR in PML, and secured the one seed last season. The addition
of the new Browns user may make it tough for this team to clinch the 1 seed
again, and if they happened to get upset by a wildcard team this could be a
reality.
Chargers
Ceiling: 15-2, Super Bowl
Justin Herbert and this Chargers team is too
much of a problem to go unnoticed. They got shocked in the wild card last
season by the Steelers, but most of their best players were not healthy. Injuries
are a part of sports but do you really think they would lose if Justin Herbert,
Derwin and the crew were playing? They might have won it all if Madden did not
screw them over. If this team stays healthy I can see them winning the AFC West
and securing a 2 seed. If there was any user in the AFC that could take down
KMFO it could be Codes with the Chargers. It would be a tough task, but could
be possible.
Floor: 9-8, Miss Playoffs
Apparently the Chargers blew up their team and
traded some of their superstar older players after one year. Who knows Codes
could easily just check out and miss the playoffs. I feel like he has too much
pride to want to do that so if he was to miss playoffs I think he would go down
fighting at least.
Raiders
Ceiling: 10-7, Divisional
The Raiders have been accused of tanking
literally since the first 3 games of last season. They cannot do too well to
where they will get investigated but can sneak into the playoffs. I see them
dropping a few games to make the “tank” (if there was a tank) not look as
obvious. You let this Raiders coach get into the playoffs anything can happen.
He is a proven coach in PML. We all know who his kryptonite is and he is
residing in Cleveland. Based off of seeding I can see the Raiders traveling to
Cleveland in the playoffs the second round then being sent home.
Floor: 6-11, Miss Playoffs
If the Raiders check out next season they
could miss the playoffs. They’re coach is too good for me to see them losing
more than 11 games if they were checked out.
Broncos
Ceiling: 9-8, Wildcard
This team made some heavy win now moves. They
have two shutdown corners now, but with the delay to the trade calculator those
moves were made later than they might have expected. Now that the team can be
together for a full season, I could see them making the playoffs potentially.
It will be interesting to see what happens in Denver.
Floor: 4-13, Miss Playoffs
This team had nearly 4 wins last season if I
am not mistaken. History could repeat itself here, but after the trades they
made it might be tough for me to see them actually doing this. In this madden
it is harder than ever to overcome bad QB play. Guys sail throws more than ever
before. Maybe losing this season could benefit them and they could fix the QB
position. Time will tell.
AFC South (Matigy)
Titans
Ceiling: 11-6 divisional round loss
After starting 0-4 and trading Derrick Henry,
the titans showed out to a 9-8 record and barely missed the playoffs because of
some key losses to end the season. Heading into the new szn they added some
vets to start in their oline and a great draft class with a big 3 of JT,
Franklin, and corum. I think most people are expecting him to build off of szn
1 and improve on it. But he will have to win a lot of big games to finish here
Floor: 6-11 missed playoffs
This is not an easy schedule, 6 of the first 8
games are users that are perennial playoff contenders in PML. Dlloyd is gonna
have to play good football for 17 games to make the playoffs and I think
injuries to key players would affect them more than others with the lack of
quality depth. And ultimately if the Titans don’t win the tough games early and
drop an easy one or 2 it could be a throwaway season.
Jaguars
Ceiling: 10-7 wildcard L
After starting 2-9 they finished 7-10. Tlaw
stayed under 30 INTs, and even gained xfactor. The jags definitely figured a
lot out and we’re able to get the offense going in the back half and overall
looked good. But it was against some questionable competition. With the 3rd
place schedule it’s much easier than the titans, tbandit used to be on this
record and I think his process to getting back is a solid one. He’s doing the
most content he’s ever done and I don’t think he will be bottom 2 in the div
all cycle
Floor: 7-10 missed playoffs
If tbandit loses every single tough game he
should end up 7-10, I think he still will have a clear user advantage in
Atleast 4 games. And overall I feel like the jags are set up for a playoff
appearance but they have to do their job within the div. And tbandit showed us
last szn that is a struggle for him going 1-5 in the afc south. So I think that
will be the biggest key for this team.
Texans
Ceiling: 13-4 conf champ Loss
After going 13-4 season 1 with the last place
schedule I think it’s fair to say they will peak at the same record with the
1st place schedule. Texans got 7 games against perennial playoff users and I
believe they will go around .500 in them and win the games he is supposed to
overall have another great season. And during it them Texans are gonna progress
like no other.
Floor: 11-6 wildcard loss
If the Texans struggle against the playoff
teams and lose most of them this will be their record. At this point in ke’s
career he plays very winning football and will win almost all of his games against
lesser users and sleep walk to 10-11 wins every season.
Colts
Ceiling: 7-10 missed playoffs
Colts had a good draft class attacking their
needs of CB,RT,TE. But overall you’re not gonna win many games with ur QB
giving the ball away 46 times in a season. Alec pierce with an incredible 15
drops last szn and is the projected starter once again. Overall I don’t think
CB has found a winning formula that fits him in PML and is just overall too
inconsistent to be a playoff team.
Floor: 4-13 missed playoffs
Like I said earlier, inconsistency is a
problem. I think the Colts gotta run the ball more and trust their weapons to
make plays after the catch more. The air yards are more than you’d hope for
having a young raw QB. And I think you gotta find a way to pressure the
opposing QB more. Overall with the way things are it can get ugly and he only
wins 4 games
