Madden 13: Breaking Down Most Underrated Running Backs

With EA Sports’ Madden NFL 13 being already pre-released, the frenzy for the new game has the NFL-football and video-game worlds colliding once again.

This happens every year around this time, but we love it just the same.

The release of Madden 13 has brought the focus to the running backs and which stars are rated highly and which stars are ranked too low. While the majority of the ratings are right on, there are a few players that deserved better.

All of the following stars are like Rodney Dangerfield; they got no respect.

Release Date: Tuesday, August 28

Early Release: August 24 with Season Ticket

Players: 1-4, Online Multiplayer 2-6

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Vita, Wii

Price: $59.99

For full list of RB ratings and all Madden info, check out EA Sports' official Madden page.

Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

Rating: 91

While injuries did cost the Oakland Raiders star running back most of last season, the fact that Darren McFadden was leading the NFL in overall yards when he was injured means he should have been ranked as one of the top players in the game.

Instead, McFadden is lumped in with players like Jacksonville Jaguars fullback Greg Jones.

The 91 rating isn’t terrible, but there is little doubt that a player that had five touchdowns in parts of just seven games and was on a ridiculous pace should be rated higher.

I’m sure Oakland fans are angry, but when aren’t they?

Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills

Rating: 89

The Buffalo Bills got no respect in 2011, but if it weren’t for an injury to star running back Fred Jackson, they could have been serious contenders. Jackson had almost 1,500 yards of total offense when he got injured in his 10th game and deserves better than his 89 ranking.

With the same ranking as Mike Tolbert, there is no way to justify the disrespect shown to Jackson and his stellar 2011 season.

The Bills star will have another great season in 2012 and earn himself a much better rating.

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

Rating: 83

The starting running-back job in Dallas is Demarco Murray’s to lose, but the Madden 13 developers gave him no love with his 83 rating.

After running for almost 1,000 yards before being injured, Murray was arguably the biggest surprise of 2012.

With the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and being the featured back with the Cowboys, he deserves better than an 83. That relegates him to sitting on the rankings board with stars like Shonn Greene and Pierre Thomas.

Check back for more on the National Football League as it comes, and don’t miss Bleacher Report’s NFL page to get your fill of all things football.

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