Summary
Every team begins the NFL season with dreams of hoisting the Lombardi trophy after a hard-fought Super Bowl victory. However, as the season progresses, it becomes clear which squads have a real shot at postseason glory and which were mere pretenders.
Thankfully, sports games likeMadden NFL 25won’t make you engage in such guesswork, revealing to you immediately how solid each team is. This is done through the calculation of an overall rating, which considers how strong a franchise’s offense, defense, and individual players are to inform you which you should play with. If you’re looking to win games now, these are the teams you should use.
9Cincinnati Bengals
87 Overall
The Bengals hail from the AFC North and weigh in at an 87 overall rating. After a Super Bowl appearance in 2022, injuries have kept Cincinnati from reaching its full potential, though many are hopeful they can turn it around.
You’ll want to prioritize the passing game when using the Bengals, as that’s where the best players can be found. Both quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja’Marr Chase haveX-Factor abilities, making them a lethal duo when used in tandem. This dynamic pair is supplemented by another great pass-catcher in Tee Higgins, as well as tackles that can help protect you in the pocket.
8Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia boasts one of the most balanced rosters in football, slotting in at an 87 overall rating. Despite having such a talented team, the Eagles fell short in 2023’s Super Bowl LVII and then struggled the following season. They’ll be looking to bounce back in 2024 after making big off-season moves.
The Philadelphia offensive line is unrivaled, housing some of the team’s best players. This will make running the ball easier with their biggest free-agency acquisition, Saquon Barkley. Barkley is an elite back who comes packing an X-Factor, so run early and often! If the line isn’t able to open enough holes, you can always drop back and pass to playmakers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
7Cleveland Browns
The Browns are the final team rated 87 overall. For decades, they were considered the laughingstock of the league, but smart drafting and development of key players have turned Cleveland into a respectable contender. Whether this will translate into meaningful postseason success remains to be seen.
Cleveland is a squad anchored by its defense. It’s also where you’ll find its best player; reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett is a superstar, helping terrorize opposing quarterbacks and securing key sacks. Should your opponent manage to get the ball out in time, receivers will be held in check by a strong secondary, including the 90 overall Denzel Ward.
6Detroit Lions
88 Overall
The Lions represent the NFC North and have an overall rating of 88. Similar to the Browns, a history of failure and embarrassment has long been associated with the team. However, an NFC Championship game appearance in 2024 has many believing Detroit’s future is looking bright.
Much of the Lions' talent can be found on offense. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta are two reliable targets for when you drop back to pass. Superstar right tackle Penei Sewell can create running lanes if you wish to keep the ball on the ground, letting you feed the two-headed backfield monster that is Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
5Dallas Cowboys
Dallas matches the Lions with a rating of 88. Despite an outstanding roster and double-digit-win seasons year after year, the team has been unable to make any noise in the playoffs. In the eyes of many Cowboy fans, the organization needs to either win now or make drastic changes to the coaching staff.
Much like their division rival Eagles, Dallas has great players on both sides of the ball. Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence will help youbring the pain to opposing quarterbacks, grabbing sacks and forcing turnovers. While on offense, you’ll want to throw to CeeDee Lamb. The 96 overall receiver is great at racking up YAC (yards after catch), keeping your team moving down the field.
4Miami Dolphins
89 Overall
Sitting alone at 89 overall are the Miami Dolphins. The Fins have emerged from mediocrity due to their explosive offense, led by ‘the Cheetah’, Tyreek Hill. Questions remain about their consistency, however, and if the defense can pull its own weight.
Tyreek is a member of the exclusive 99 Club, meaning he has a 99 overall rating. He also comes with the RAC ‘Em Up X-Factor ability, so you should prioritize getting him the ball as much as you can. If he isn’t open, Jaylen Waddle is another great option, just slightly slower than Tyreek at 97 speed. If you want to run the ball, Raheem Mostert is a solid back with big-play potential,pairing excellent acceleration with awareness.
3Baltimore Ravens
91 Overall
The Ravens slide in at a 91 overall rating, just behind the top two teams. While boasting impressive stats during the regular season (especially on defense), Baltimore has earned itself a reputation as playoff chokers. Despite this, they are perennial Super Bowl contenders, and are capable of shutting down the NFL’s most dominant offensive weapons.
The team is led by reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Your strategy when you have the ball will largely revolve around this mobile quarterback, since you can easily take off, scrambling for big yardage and activating his X-Factor. The lion’s share of Ravens talent belongs on the defense, however, so even if you’re struggling to put points on the board, you’ll be able to keep games close.
2San Francisco 49ers
92 Overall
Tied for best team in the game are the San Francisco 49ers at 92 overall. The Super Bowl LVIII losers will be looking to avoid the dreaded hangover commonly associated with such a failure, but if anybody has the wherewithal to make it back, it’s the Niners.
San Francisco has not one but two members of the 99 Club, halfback Christian McCaffrey and tackle Trent Williams. This translates to complete dominance when running the ball, with wide lanes to burst through. If the run game isn’t clicking for some reason, you have elite pass-catchers George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel to throw to. As stacked as the offense is, the defense is even better. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner both have X-Factors, and an underrated secondary will keep the ball out of the air.
1Kansas City Chiefs
Although they have the same overall rating as the 49ers, there is no doubt the Kansas City Chiefs are the best team in football. After winning Super Bowl LVII and LVIII, they are looking to chase history and become the first team to win three consecutive championships.
There is no quarterback more dominant than Patrick Mahomes. The 99 Club member is already in the greatest of all time conversation, and that’s in no small part due to his connection with tight end (and Taylor Swift boyfriend) Travis Kelce. Take advantage of the Mahomes-Kelce connection to rake in yards and vex opponents. When operating on defense, you should utilize Chris Jones to net sacks and force costly quarterback errors.
