Madden 25 Cover Vote: Round 3 Results and Predictions for Quarterfinals

The elite eight of the Madden 25 cover vote has been determined and only the heavy-hitters remain.

Adrian Peterson's cover vote competition hasn't been able to stop the Minnesota Vikings great anymore than opponents did in 2012.

At this point, his theme song might just be the Jay-Z and Kanye West track "Who Gon' Stop Me?" At this point, I'm not sure anyone can.

Here's a look at the latest results, and the pairings for round 4. Click here to vote for the next round.

Old-School Bracket

(1) Joe Montana vs. (4) Dan Marino

Once again, Dan the Man is bested by Joe Cool. Marino came in second to Montana, but I did my part. I voted for Marino on four separate computers, but it still didn't work.

Winner: Joe Montana

(3) Barry Sanders vs. (2) Ray Lewis

I'm not sure if Sanders won because fans genuinely like him more than Lewis, or if it's because Lewis has been on the cover by himself before and cut promos recently.

Could fans be rebelling against Ray-Ray overload?

Whatever the case, the recently retired Baltimore Ravens great couldn't stop Sanders from moving on.

Winner: Barry Sanders

(1) Jerry Rice vs. (5) Michael Strahan

This seemed like a pretty easy win for Rice from the moment I saw the pairing shaping up. He'll get his first real test next week when things move into Prime-Time.

Winner: Jerry Rice

(3) Troy Aikman vs. (2) Deion Sanders

Aikman had a good run, but there was no way he was going to beat Prime-Time.

Sanders is one of the most popular players of all-time, and the Leon Sandcastle promos from the NFL Combine have only increased his popularity.

Winner: Deion Sanders

New-School Bracket

(1) Colin Kaepernick vs. (4) Arian Foster

I did not see this coming. Foster is noted for doing his ceremonial salutation after a score, but Kaepernick is the one forced to bow out.

Winner: Arian Foster

(3) Russell Wilson vs. (2) Andrew Luck

Wilson has been my sleeper pick from the beginning. This win over the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft officially removes the sleeper tag.

Winner: Russell Wilson

(1) Robert Griffin III vs. (5) Ray Rice

RG III handled Rice in the battle of Maryland-area stars.

It seems two of the most prominent rookie quarterbacks from the 2012 season are the only ones that can possibly stop All Day from reigning in the New-School bracket.

Winner: Robert Griffin III

(3) Rob Gronkowski vs. (2) Adrian Peterson

Gronk's fans helped to put up a valiant effort, but AP's Wolverine-like recovery and near record-breaking season is carrying him to the next round.

At first I was sure Kaepernick would emerge victorious in the New-School bracket, but now I'd have to lean towards AP as the favorite.

This awesomely done video really puts into perspective what AP accomplished in 2012. 

Winner: Adrian Peterson

Predictions for Round 4

Old-School Bracket

(1) Joe Montana vs. (2) Barry Sanders

This will be the first of the No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchups and I see Sanders pulling the mild upset—if you can even call it that.

We are talking about one of the most electrifying running backs in the history of the game.

But then again, I'm predicting he'll defeat one of the greatest quarterbacks; this should be tight either way, but Sanders' dominance in previous rounds gives him the edge.

(1) Jerry Rice vs. (2) Deion Sanders

I believe we are headed for an all-Sanders final in the Old-School bracket. Prime-Time will edge another former teammate by knocking off the most-decorated receiver in history.

New-School Bracket

(4) Arian Foster vs. (3) Russell Wilson

I don't know if I should doubt Foster again, but Wilson and the 12th man are a force to be reckoned with.

(1) Robert Griffin III vs. (2) Adrian Peterson

It's a shame that the mythical Madden curse may actually affect this pairing. ESPN's video games czar Jon Robinson wrote this about RG III's drive for the cover: 

"Does RG III really need to deal with the Madden curse as he tries to rehab his knee? I wish the fans would pity the poor kid and vote him out before his knee explodes during a workout."

Some Redskins fans may actually be of the same mind and refrain from voting for him in an effort to save him from the curse.

Calvin Johnson should have effectively killed the curse with his record-breaking season in 2012, but negative and spooky things are just more fun for people to believe in, I suppose.

AP may not need much help to win this matchup, but I think that concept may just be the boost he needs. 

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