The Madden 21 ratings were released on Friday, and there were quite a few ratings that drew criticism from fans and players.
I had my own questions about the ratings for guys like Cam Newton, Rob Gronkowski, and a few others, but I took a look at another entity famous for rating NFL player’s performance, and that’s Pro Football Focus.
Both EA and PFF hire experts whose main job is to evaluate players for the purpose of rating them according to several categories. An aggregate score is produced from that evaluation. In PFF’s case, it’s called a grade, and with EA, it’s an overall rating.
I compared the rankings for the top players at each position for PFF and EA, and let’s just say there are tons of discrepancies. I won’t list the grades PFF gave the players as that is information that is privy to customers who subscribe, in some instances, and it’s also a slightly different scale which could distort the concept.
What’s relevant is which player PFF and EA identified as the top guy at their respective positions.
Both EA and PFF agree the Seattle Seahawks’ Wilson and Kansas City Chiefs’ Mahomes were among the elite, but the latter might have gotten the nod with EA because of his postseason run and Super Bowl MVP performance.
PFF likes Wilson as the best in the NFL in 2019 followed by the New Orleans Saints’ Drew Brees and then Mahomes. EA has Wilson second with a 97 overall rating.
PFF sees the Carolina Panthers’ McCaffrey as an excellent player, but not one of the Top 3 backs from 2019.
However, both sides love the Cleveland Browns’ Chubb. EA had him as the No. 2 running back in the NFL.
Unless you’re deep into the analysis of the game, you might think PFF is crazy with their grade for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Godwin. However, their evaluations have him at No. 1 with the record-setting New Orleans Saints receiver Thomas third behind Godwin and the Atlanta Falcons’ Julio Jones.
Godwin might have the best snub case of anyone in the NFL when it comes to Madden ratings. EA has him listed as just the 15th-best receiver in the game.
Finally, they both agree that the San Francisco 49ers’ Juszczyk is the best fullback in football.
We’ve got a trend going with Niners players. PFF and EA agree on Kittle as the best tight end.
The same goes for the center position where the Philadelphia Eagles’ Kelce is the highest-rated player on both sides.
The agreements end here.
PFF likes the Eagles’ Brooks and EA is stuck on the Dallas Cowboys’ Martin. PFF only has Martin third at his position.
PFF tabs the Saints’ Ramczyk, but EA gives the nod to the Chiefs’ Schwartz and the Green Bay Packers’ Bakhtiari.
Ramczyk was high on EA’s list, but not No. 1.
There was a major discrepancy here.
EA gave the 99 overall to the New England Patriots’ Gilmore, who was also the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, while PFF looked to the Niners’ Sherman as the best corner in the league.
In addition to that, Gilmore wasn’t anywhere near the top as it pertains to total grade for players at his position.
This is awkward.
Both PFF and EA believe the best safety in the NFL is a Minnesota Viking, they just can’t agree on which one. PFF spotlights Harris and EA likes Smith. EA doesn’t have Smith anywhere near the top of its list. He’s the 12th highest-rated free safety and 22nd among all safeties.
The Seahawks’ Wagner was a member of the 99 Club last year, but he fell one point shy with EA at the start of this year. With PFF, he wasn’t even close.
According to their ratings for non-pass-rushing linebackers, the Saints’ Davis was No. 1 and Wagner wasn’t even in their Top 10.
The Rams’ Donald moves around on the defensive line a lot like Reggie White used to for the Eagles and Packers. EA list him as a defensive end and PFF has him as an interior defensive lineman.
In any case, both agree he is at the head of his class.
PFF and EA agree a member of the Watt family is the best edge rusher in the NFL, but again, they picked different players from the same group. PFF has the Pittsburgh Steelers’ TJ Watt as the highest-rated edge rusher while EA has his older brother JJ Watt there with a 98 overall.
It’s unanimous, the Baltimore Ravens’ Tucker is the best kicker in the NFL.
PFF evaluators don’t think nearly as highly of the Rams’ Hekker as EA does. Both have Kern rated highly, but PFF has Hekker near the middle of the pack for punters.
It’s important to remember, the two entities have slightly different fanbases to satisfy. PFF followers want the truth, even if it goes against the popular opinion. Madden fans want the ratings to match what they think they already know.
For example, Thomas set a single-season record for receptions in 2019, if he was rated anything but No. 1, it might have caused serious backlash.
That’s not to say EA is completely controlled by fan feedback on ratings, but they do likely lean toward the more commercial takes, and for good reason. It makes business sense. Now, if they would only fix franchise mode.
I cover sports video games like NBA 2K, Madden, MLB The Show, FIFA, NHL, EA UFC, Fight Night, Super Mega Baseball, DIRT, F1, NASCAR, Forza, and everything in between. You
I cover sports video games like NBA 2K, Madden, MLB The Show, FIFA, NHL, EA UFC, Fight Night, Super Mega Baseball, DIRT, F1, NASCAR, Forza, and everything in between. You can also find me previewing and recapping WWE PPV events.