Madden 2013: Breaking Down Underrated Teams in New NFL Video Game

With the release of Madden 13 less than one week away, the countless hours we have spent breaking down teams, players and features will be replaced by staring at a television screen for days at a time to make sure we conquer the latest iteration of the NFL video game. 

However, we are not quite to the point where we can celebrate the release. So our time is still devoted to looking at some features of the game, specifically the team rankings. 

Unlike individual player ratings, a team ranking has to be a direct reflection of everything from the players to the coaching staff to the front office. 

We will breakdown the teams that EA isn't giving enough love to in Madden 13.

Houston Texas (Overall Ranking: 78)

I don't know how you can look at everything the Texans have and give them the same ranking as the Washington Redskins and San Diego Chargers. The Saints, who are also a 78, is a little more justifiable, but even that is a low ranking for New Orleans. 

As things stand right now, the Texans are one of the two or three best teams in the AFC. Their offense figures to get much better with Matt Schaub under center for, hopefully, all 16 games. Andre Johnson is still one of the two best receivers in the game, and he will have a huge bounce back year. 

Defensively, they were the most complete unit in the AFC in 2011. I know they lost Mario Williams via free agency, but he only played in five games last year. 

They should be sitting in the 80s, at least. I don't know what the rationale for keeping them at a 78 is, but hopefully they make me look good, because that's what really matters. 

Denver Broncos (Overall Ranking: 76)

Unlike the Texans' ranking, the Broncos' is far more justified. There are holes in the secondary and not a lot of depth on the roster. 

That said, the players they have at the top are very good. Peyton Manning may be a wild card in reality, but he is still a 93 on Madden. Demaryius Thomas, Von Miller, Elvis Dumervil and Champ Bailey are all studs. 

That kind of top-heavy lineup would figure to play well with a rankings system, but EA doesn't give them a lot of credit. Again, I don't think they are a great team, or a flawless one, though I think they should be in the top half of teams in the NFL. 

Cincinnati Bengals (Overall Ranking: 74)

The Bengals are one of those teams that are more solid than spectacular. It is easy to look at a few of their players and dream on big things to come, but they are not quite at that level right now. 

Still, their ranking places them 21st out of 32 teams. For a playoff team that had a lot of young talent last season, that seems very harsh. Looking at the rosters, I would put the Bengals ahead of the Broncos. 

There are no superstars on the roster, at least not yet, which could be part of the problem. EA loves teams that have depth, but you also need those big names that can skew a ranking. 

That's where the Bengals fall short, though I also think they could shoot up the ranks when Madden 14 comes out.  

For a full look at all 32 team rankings, click here. 

Follow @adamwells1985