Madden 16: Release Date, Cover and Connected Franchise Challenges

Who doesn't like a challenge when it comes to sports video games?

OK, some of us would be content to go 16-0 in Madden year after year with the skill difficulty on easy, but some gamers actually want to meet some resistance. More over, they want to receive some sort of reward when they reach their goals.

That's why the annual achievements list in Madden is still worthy of note.

You'll be able to get started on this list when the game releases on August 25 on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Per Samit Sarkar of Polygon.com, owners of the Xbox One who also subscribe to EA Access were able to get a 10-hour preview of the game on August 20.

Here's a look at New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on the cover in this tweet from EA Sports' CEO Peter Moore:

Achievements are awesome, but there's a way to challenge yourself even further in Madden 16. It goes beyond simply leading the stacked Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl. Players like tight end Jimmy Graham help to make the Seahawks the highest-rated team on the game at 91. Check out some of the ratings per Hawks Nation:

Here are two teams and challenges to take on in Connected Franchise to prove you're really an elite Madden player.

Dominate With the Titans and Star with Mariota on All-Madden

Challenges

• Win Super Bowl with the Tennessee Titans
• Lead the league in TD passes with Marcus Mariota
• Throw 10 or fewer interceptions with Mariota
• Record 3,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing with Mariota

The Tennessee Titans have the unfortunate distinction of being the lowest-rated team in Madden 16 at a 72 overall. Tennessee has some solid players on defense in free-agent signing Brian Orakpo (87 overall), cornerback Jason McCourty (86) and safety Da'Norris Searcy (86), but the offense looks woeful.

Mariota only has a 78 overall rating, and he's one of the highest-rated players on the Titans offense. That's what makes this challenge so difficult. Even if you were good enough to lead the Titans to the Super Bowl, would you be able to get all of the statistical goals as well? I dare you to try.

League-Leading Offense on All-Madden

Challenge

• Have the league leader in passing, rushing and receiving yards on your team

This is pretty straightforward but not all that easy. Many of us like to run the ball; some love to air it out. Few gamers can put together a balanced and dominant offense. Doing it with the game on All-Madden difficulty makes the task even tougher.

The Pittsburgh Steelers seem like a strong candidate for this challenge. The Ben Roethlisberger-Antonio Brown combination is a devastating one. Brown is the top-rated receiver in the game with an 87 overall rating, and Big Ben is tied for third with the New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees with a 95 overall.

Running back Le'Veon Bell is fifth at his position with a 94 overall rating. If you really want to challenge yourself, try pulling the trick with a team like the Cleveland Browns. Johnny Manziel and Co. will definitely present a tougher challenge. 

Do you have a Madden Connected Franchise challenge? Put it in the comments section.

All ratings are per EASports.com.

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