Bracketizing the NFL's Madden Cover Vote

Social media is a great way to offer fans their chance to opine on certain topics, as well as voice their wants. 

EA Sports most certainly has done this. Last year, a fan vote in a bracket style tournament helped decide who was going to be on the Madden NFL cover. Peyton Hillis, the winner, was given this honor. 

Because of the success of the voting program, EA offered it again, only this time, they increased the field to 64 candidates, two for each team. 

This slideshow is going to project who could possibly win the cover vote. For the first round, the two nominees will be put against each other. The winner will move on to the second round. The second round matchup will be between teams whose seeds sum up to the number 33.

For example: (1) Giants play (32) Colts, (2) Patriots play (31) Rams, etc. This will go on until the final round, in which the projected Madden Cover winner will be chosen. 

Without further ado...

Play In: Bills, Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. Steve Johnson

A quarterback is only as good as the weapons surrounding him. 

While Ryan Fitzpatrick may have had a hot start, it was Stevie Johnson who basically took over as the team's star player when Fitzpatrick started fading. 

Winner: Steve Johnson

Dolphins: Reggie Bush vs. Brandon Marshall

With Brandon Marshall packing his bags and heading off to Chicago, Reggie Bush wins this one. 

Not that Marshall really put up that much of a fight. 

Bush found a career resurgence in Miami after a few disappointing seasons in New Orleans, and is expected to carry the load of being the team's primary weapon. 

Winner: Reggie Bush

Patriots: Rob Gronkowski vs. Wes Welker

Rob Gronkowski had quite the season for the Patriots. 

He broke the record for most touchdowns by a tight end in the regular season, was named first-team All-Pro, and was the third highest vote getter in the Pro Bowl. 

Welker also had a good season, but considering what tight ends have in terms of challenges, Gronk really deserves to advance.

Winner: Rob Gronkowski

Jets: Darrelle Revis vs. Mark Sanchez

Darrelle Revis is by far one of the best cornerbacks in the game. 

Mark Sanchez is by far one of the most inconsistent quarterbacks in the game. 

Take a wild guess as to who is better. 

Winner: Darrelle Revis

Ravens: Terrell Suggs vs. Ray Rice

The Ravens have, by far, one of the scariest defenses in the league. 

Their offense is starting to look like that, too. 

After a monster season out of Ray Rice, in which he cemented himself as one of the greatest running backs in Ravens history (sorry Priest Holmes and Jamal Lewis), he most certainly deserves a spot on the Madden cover.

Winner: Ray Rice

Bengals: Andy Dalton vs. AJ Green

While I did say that a quarterback is only as good as the weapons around him, I think I can make an exception for Andy Dalton. 

Dalton helped turn around a hapless Bengals team, leading them to a Wild Card berth amid concerns that the team was falling apart. 

Although the Bengals were befallen by the Texans, Dalton's work may have given him the honor of being the second best rookie quarterback of the 2011 season, behind Cam Newton.

Winner: Andy Dalton

Browns: Joe Haden vs. Joe Thomas

I'll tell you one thing: After what happened to Peyton Hillis, it's highly doubtful that another Brown will be back on the cover this year. 

Nonetheless, Thomas has had a solid career, but unfortunately his work has gone unnoticed due to the number of failed quarterbacks in Cleveland's system. 

Winner: Joe Thomas

Steelers: Troy Polamalu vs. Ben Roethlisberger

I honestly think that since Troy Polamalu had his chance with Madden 10, it's time to let Roethlisberger be on the cover. 

Despite an up an down season at the beginning, Big Ben did secure a wild-card berth for the Steelers, which was subsequently lost when the Broncos, led by Tim Tebow, shocked them.

Nonetheless, Roethlisberger will move on. 

Winner: Ben Roethlisberger

Texans: Andre Johnson vs. Arian Foster

Andre Johnson is starting to show his age, so I believe that Foster should be on the cover. 

A year removed from an amazing second year, where he led the league in rushing, Foster overcame injury to finish near the top again, and helped bring the Texans to their first ever playoff berth. 

Winner: Arian Foster

Colts: Dwight Freeney vs. Robert Mathis

In a matchup between the two nominees on the worst team, I'd take Freeney over Mathis any day of the week. 

Winner: Dwight Freeney

Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Blaine Gabbert

Let's see, league leader in rushing vs. the second worst quarterback in the NFL as of right now. 

This is the equivalent of 16 vs. 1 in the NCAA tournament.

Winner: Maurice Jones-Drew

Titans: Chris Johnson vs. Jake Locker

If Johnson was going up against Matt Hasselbeck, this would be a completely different story. Nonetheless, Jake Locker barely even started this year.

Why give him the honor of representing the Titans?

Winner: Chris Johnson

Broncos: Von Miller vs. Tim Tebow

Considering Von Miller did win the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, I think he deserves some limelight that doesn't already belong to Tim Tebow. 

Nonetheless, this was a tough one to pick. 

Winner: Von Miller

Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe vs. Derrick Johnson

Without a good quarterback, the Chiefs offense is as good as useless. 

Derrick Johnson has emerged as a captain of a defense that needed plenty of help due to injury this past year. He deserves to represent the Chiefs this year. 

Winner: Derrick Johnson

Raiders: Sebastian Janikowski vs. Shane Lechler

This has to be by far one of the worst team representations in all of football. Kicker vs. punter. Are you kidding? 

Janikowski wins this by a leg. After all, he tied the record for longest field goal in a game. 

Winner: Sebastian Janikowski

Chargers: Philip Rivers vs. Antonio Gates

I pick Gates here because he has been consistent in being the top tight end in the game, that is until Rob Gronkowski picked up the honor with his monster sophomore season. 

Rivers has pretty much devolved from being the elite quarterback he once was. Maybe it's time the Chargers start looking for someone else.

Winner: Antonio Gates

Cowboys: DeMarcus Ware vs. Jason Witten

I pick DeMarcus Ware because he has to be one of the greatest defensive players in Cowboys history. He plays with a fire that is incomparable to anyone else. 

In addition, he's a Pro Bowler who has defied expectations.

If a Cowboy gets to be on the cover this year, it should be him.

Winner: DeMarcus Ware 

Giants: Victor Cruz vs. Jason Pierre-Paul

Victor Cruz had one of the greatest seasons during the Giants' Super Bowl run. He emerged as a deep threat, leaving opposing secondaries grasping air while he sprinted into the end zone. 

Not to say Pierre Paul didn't have a great year. He became the next great defensive end in a long line of them, going back from Michael Strahan to Justin Tuck to him. 

Cruz just legs him out. 

Winner: Victor Cruz

Eagles: LeSean McCoy vs. Michael Vick

There are two reasons why I choose LeSean McCoy over Michael Vick. 

1. Vick had a bad year after redeeming himself in 2010

2. LeSean McCoy was voted the FedEx Air and Ground NFL Player of the Year.

Not only that, but I'm not a fan of athletes repeating on covers, and with Vick having already appeared on Madden 04, he's ineligible in my book.

Winner: LeSean McCoy

Redskins: Brian Orakpo vs. Ryan Kerrigan

I have to say, while Orakpo is one of the best defensive players in Washington, Kerrigan may pass him in a year or two. 

The fact that he had such a great start to the season for a team that eventually tanked, as usual, shows that he may be the start of better things to come. 

Winner: Ryan Kerrigan

Bears: Jay Cutler vs. Matt Forte

Matt Forte was having a great year in Chicago, and then he got hurt. The same for Jay Cutler. However, Forte has performed at a consistent level since being drafted by the Bears in 2008, while Cutler has been under the microscope since he's gotten there. 

Should the Bears give him the money he deserves, he could potentially be the next Walter Payton in Chicago, and for that matter, the next Madden cover boy

Winner: Matt Forte

Lions: Matt Stafford vs. Calvin Johnson

Give Matthew Stafford credit for piloting the Lions back to the playoffs, but give Johnson the cover nomination because he's one of the reasons why Stafford looks good. 

Megatron practically exploded in 2011, and his stats were justified enough for him to merit the largest contract in NFL history. Johnson is a dynamic playmaker who will most certainly be a Detroit icon for years to come.

Winner: Calvin Johnson

Packers: Clay Matthews vs. Aaron Rodgers

A 15-1 record and an NFL MVP most definitely qualifies Rodgers to represent the Packers. While they did fall at the hands of the Giants in the playoffs, his regular season most certainly justifies him to be the cover boy.

Clay Matthews also had a good year, but when it comes to facing the NFL MVP, you know who's going to win.

Winner: Aaron Rodgers

Vikings: Jared Allen vs. Percy Harvin

Probably the brightest star in Minnesota, Allen anchored a defense that was overshadowed by an inept offense led by an inexperienced rookie at quarterback. 

Therefore, Allen is Minnesota's candidate for the cover.

Winner: Jared Allen

Falcons: Matt Ryan vs. Julio Jones

Matt Ryan started off the year a little shaky, but once again proved that he could lead the Falcons into the playoffs. 

Julio Jones was a dynamic playmaker who made great catches and complemented Roddy White and Harry Douglas well.

Considering Ryan has been there longer, and has led the team to the playoffs three out of the four years that he's started, I'd have to say, he's my pick for the cover.

Winner: Matt Ryan

Panthers: Cam Newton vs. Steve Smith

The amount of rookie records that this guy broke definitely justifies him as the man for the cover. 

Although Smith was a contributing factor, I have to say that Newton did most of the work himself, and for his troubles, he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Winner: Cam Newton 

Saints: Jimmy Graham vs. Drew Brees

Jimmy Graham proved that he was one of the best tight ends in the NFL, and although Drew Brees holds the record for passing yards in a season, he did appear as cover boy in Madden 11. 

Therefore, in the upset, Graham moves on. 

Winner: Jimmy Graham

Buccaneers: Josh Freeman vs. LeGarrette Blount

Josh Freeman's star is fading in Tampa Bay, while Blount's is rising.

Considering what he has done in the past two years, I do believe he merits this year's nomination for the Bucs, especially with his playmaking ability.

Winner: LeGarrette Blount

Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald vs. Patrick Peterson

Patrick Peterson was a human highlight reel this season, what with his interceptions and punt returns. 

The man was electric, and he most certainly blew people out of the water. Add the fact that he was named an All-Pro at special teams, and you can bet that Larry Fitzgerald is no longer a threat. 

Winner: Patrick Peterson

Rams: Chris Long vs. Brandon Lloyd

My guess is that Brandon Lloyd will not be staying in St. Louis, so if anything, it's Long who will represent the Rams. 

Winner: Chris Long

49ers: Vernon Davis vs. Patrick Willis

Vernon Davis may be the best tight end in 49ers history, but Patrick Willis is possibly one of the best defensive players in team history. 

And finally, it paid off. The 49ers made it to the playoffs, where they beat the Saints but lost to the Giants. Nonetheless, Willis was the defensive star of this team. 

Winner: Patrick Willis 

Seahawks: Earl Thomas vs. Marshawn Lynch

Beast Mode continued his success from the 2010 wild-card game by practically running over the opposition. His antics, such as using Skittles to fuel his runs, was quite enjoyable, especially when he powered through a swarm of defenders vs. the Eagles. 

Basically, Beast mode made people wonder who Shaun Alexander was this year, and the fact that he'll be back could spell doom for his opponents. 

Winner: Marshawn Lynch

Round 2 (First Half): (2) Rob Gronkowski vs. (31) Chris Long

Do we even need an explanation for this?

Winner: Rob Gronkowski

(16) Sebastian Janikowski vs. (17) Darrelle Revis

A kicker vs. a cornerback. Is that even a matchup?

Revis lucked out on this one.  

Winner: Darrelle Revis

(10) Calvin Johnson vs. (23) Steve Johnson

Calvin Johnson has to be the greatest wide receiver in the NFL, no doubt about it.

Stevie Johnson is good, but he's no Calvin. 

Winner: Calvin Johnson

(8) Von Miller vs. (25) Reggie Bush

While Von Miller was the Defensive Rookie of the Year, Reggie Bush reestablished himself as a hot commodity. It's safe to say that Miller has plenty of good years in him, but Bush may have had is best year yet. 

Maybe next year Von will compete. 

Winner: Reggie Bush

(12) Andy Dalton vs. (21) Marshawn Lynch

Andy Dalton has quite the nucleus around him to potentially make a second playoff appearance next year. Marshawn Lynch had better hope the Seahawks give him the ball more so that Beast Mode can contribute enough to win. 

I pick Dalton because of the promise he shows. 

Winner: Andy Dalton

(6) Jimmy Graham vs. (27) Ryan Kerrigan

Kerrigan bests Graham only because he lucked out and didn't get to face Drew Brees. Now, hopefully he will be able to continue as the Cinderella for the cover in this bracket. 

Winner: Ryan Kerrigan

(14) Matt Forte vs. (19) DeMarcus Ware

If Matt Forte had played the whole season and contributed more, I would probably say that he beats Ware. 

Nonetheless, Ware wins this battle because he's been healthy and he's always a threat. 

Winner: DeMarcus Ware 

(4) Ray Rice vs. (29) Joe Thomas

This one would be a blowout if it were a basketball game. Ray Rice runs all over Joe Thomas as the Browns do not repeat with a cover athlete. 

Winner: Ray Rice

Round 2 (Second Half): (1) Victor Cruz vs. (32) Dwight Freeney

Victor Cruz against Dwight Freeney. A flashy playmaker vs. an aging defensive lineman. 

Cruz wins this because of his ability, and the fact that Freeney's best days are probably behind him.

Winner: Victor Cruz

(15) Antonio Gates vs. (18) LeSean McCoy

It most certainly helps if you are named the FedEx Air and Ground Player of the Year, but McCoy basically manhandles Gates in this battle. 

Winner: LeSean McCoy

(9) Ben Roethlisberger vs. (24) Cam Newton

To say that Cam Newton exceeded expectations is a bit of an understatement. 

Cam Newton basically shot his expectations out of the water. 

While he didn't have a great enough supporting cast to win, Newton definitely shocks Roethlisberger and his "No Country for Old Men" Steelers.

Winner: Cam Newton

(7) Arian Foster vs. (26) Maurice Jones-Drew

You could basically call this matchup Duke vs. North Carolina or Yankees vs. Red Sox. This is a matchup of two of the best running backs in the league. 

Despite a poor supporting cast, MJD managed to win the league rushing title, prying it out of Foster's hands. If that doesn't say anything about this close one, I don't know what it says. 

Winner: Maurice Jones-Drew

(11) Matt Ryan vs. (22) Derrick Johnson

Matt Ryan is by far one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Derrick Johnson is a good linebacker. Who wins this one?

One of the best quarterbacks in the league.

Winner: Matt Ryan

(5) Aaron Rodgers vs. (28) LeGarrette Blount

Aaron Rodgers seems to be the favorite to win this one; we've already talked about his accomplishments, what else is there to discuss? Oh right, the fact that the Buccaneers running back can't hold a candle to the best football player right now.

Rodgers destroys his opposition.

Winner: Aaron Rodgers 

(13) Chris Johnson vs (20) Patrick Peterson

Patrick Peterson was electrifying this year with his returns, while Johnson was magical in the fact that he basically disappeared.

I don't know about you, but I'd rather take an electrifying cornerback/special teamer over a disappearing running back, no matter if his name is Chris Johnson. 

Winner: Patrick Peterson

(3) Patrick Willis vs. (30) Jared Allen

It would surprise me if anybody said that Jared Allen was better than Patrick Willis. Basically, Willis is going to go farther than Allen as long as he plays.

Now, if Allen played for a better team...

Winner: Patrick Willis

Sweet Sixteen (First Half): (2) Rob Gronkowski vs. (17) Darrelle Revis

This matchup has to be one of the most challenging in the bracket: a monster season vs. several great seasons. Given the fact that Revis has not personally gone up against Gronkowski, it's hard to tell through direct confrontation.

Still, Revis has shut down the Patriots receivers that he has faced in all but one game, and Gronkowski has been limited in all but one game, so Revis takes this round and the big upset. 

Winner: Darrelle Revis

(10) Calvin Johnson vs. (25) Reggie Bush

Even Reggie Bush's comeback season couldn't possibly dethrone Megatron's amazing season. Johnson is, and has always been, a threat. 

At least Bush has an NCAA cover—that counts for something, right?

Winner: Calvin Johnson

(12) Andy Dalton vs. (27) Ryan Kerrigan

Ryan Kerrigan's magical tour ends here.

Andy Dalton's spectacular season—in which he led the Bengals into the playoffs—is too much for the future defensive star. Since they haven't even played against each other, there is no means to either justify it or rebuke it. 

Winner: Andy Dalton

(19) DeMarcus Ware vs (4) Ray Rice

Even though Ray Rice has not faced the Cowboys, he most certainly would have smoked DeMarcus Ware if he did.

Rice is pretty much an elite back now, so there's no doubt that his eliteness will carry him possibly to the final four of this cover vote. 

Winner: Ray Rice

Sweet Sixteen (Second Half) (1) Victor Cruz vs. (18) LeSean McCoy

Victor Cruz practically torched his opposition, including the Eagles in his first season. LeSean McCoy did reasonably well.

Torched vs. reasonably well. I'll take torched. 

Winner: Victor Cruz

(24) Cam Newton vs. (26) Maurice Jones-Drew

Even though MJD did win the rushing title, it was Newton who led the Panthers to victory over the Jaguars. Jones-Drew didn't even score a touchdown in that game.

Newton moves to the Elite Eight.

Winner: Cam Newton

(11) Matt Ryan vs. (5) Aaron Rodgers

Matt Ryan and the Falcons were no match against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the regular season, so why would he upset them now? Oh, and let's not forget the 2010 playoffs. 

Rodgers may just prance in without much opposition. 

Winner: Aaron Rodgers

(20) Patrick Peterson vs. (3) Patrick Willis

Seniority rules in the Battle of the Patricks.

Willis had a monster game against the Cardinals during the season, but missed the second due to injury. Peterson did make some tackles, but basically was quiet in both games.

Patrick Willis moves on.

Winner: Patrick Willis 

Elite Eight (First Half): (17) Darrelle Revis vs. (10) Calvin Johnson

When the Jets played the Detroit Lions back in 2010, Calvin Johnson was held to one catch for 13 yards. Guess who was defending him? 

Revis benefits from playing against Johnson, and he has shown that he is better than him, despite a down year that year. 

Winner: Darrelle Revis

(12) Andy Dalton vs. (4) Ray Rice

Ray Rice owned the Bengals last season, rushing for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Andy Dalton basically did poorly against the Ravens, getting picked off three times. 

I don't think this needs any further explanation. 

Winner: Ray Rice

Elite Eight (Second Half): (1) Victor Cruz vs. (24) Cam Newton

And this is where Victor Cruz falls short.

Had it not been for Eli Manning, Cruz may not have been the receiver he was this year. Newton, on the other hand, had some help, but also helped himself in his quest to become the Rookie of the Year.

See you in the Final Four, Cam!

Winner: Cam Newton

(5) Aaron Rodgers vs. (3) Patrick Willis

In Aaron Rodgers' most recent game against the 49ers, a 34-16 win, he threw 298 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. In that game, Patrick Willis had five tackles, four of which were solos.

It's safe to say that Rodgers won that game, and this round. He moves on and will face Cam Newton in the Final Four 

Winner: Aaron Rodgers

Final Four: (17) Darrelle Revis vs. (4) Ray Rice

When the Jets faced the Ravens in Week 5, Ray Rice had 23 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown, as well as two receptions for 64 yards. 

Revis, on the other hand, had just two tackles. 

Needless to say, Rice won that battle, as did the Ravens. Ray Rice moves on to the championship.

Winner: Ray Rice

(24) Cam Newton vs. (5) Aaron Rodgers

When the Packers played the Panthers back in Week 2, Aaron Rodgers threw for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Cam Newton threw for 432 yards, but had one touchdown and three interceptions. 

Newton may have had one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history, but even he couldn't beat Rodgers' stellar MVP campaign. Rodgers wins this and will face Ray Rice in the championship.

Winner: Aaron Rodgers

Championship: (4) Ray Rice vs. (5) Aaron Rodgers

So it comes down to Ray Rice vs. Aaron Rodgers.

While the two haven't faced each other in over two years, when Rice was still a in rookie diapers and Rodgers was starting to become the player he is now, it's safe to say that this matchup is by far the toughest one. 

Do you pick the MVP? Do you pick the elite runner? Do you go for experience or flash? 

Even though the choice is hard, the pick is in, and the winner is...

Ray Rice Is the Madden 13 Cover Athlete

I think it's safe to say that Ray Rice deserves this cover. Remember the lesson you learned at the beginning of the slideshow? A quarterback is only as good as the weapons he has? 

Ray Rice is possibly the ultimate weapon. He can run, he can catch, he's fast and agile, and he has to be one of the best running backs in the league. 

Not to say that Rodgers isn't a good player, he is, but he is a quarterback, and as referred to at the beginning: A quarterback is only as good as his weapons. 

Let's hope that Ray Rice does get to be on the actual Madden cover. He definitely deserves it.