Madden 18 Ratings Analysis: Quarterbacks

theScore's Jack Browne and Mitch Sanderson take a deep dive into the ratings from the newly-released Madden 18 video game.

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | K/P
DL | LB | DB | Rookie | Team

As in reality, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers rightfully sit alone in their own Madden top tier, with only 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan within striking distance with a 96 rating - a far cry from the 84 he started out as at the beginning of last year's iteration.

Drew Brees' umpteenth 5,000-yard campaign wasn't enough to put him close to Brady and Rodgers, or even Ryan, a decision that likely won't sit well with New Orleans Saints faithful. For the past five seasons, the debate about who is better out of draftmates Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson has raged on - and Madden isn't providing any clarity, giving both a 90, though that might change with Luck still rehabbing from shoulder surgery while Wilson has been lighting up the preseason.

After that, it's a bunch of quarterbacks who were MVP candidates in 2016 - Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford, and Dak Prescott, with Carr even leapfrogging 2015 NFL MVP Cam Newton, who's taken a tumble down to 88.

Deeper into the list, a few more questionable rankings arise. Philip Rivers' skills may be eroding, but having him below the likes of Kirk Cousins, on par with Andy Dalton, and just ahead of Sam Bradford is a curious decision.

One glaring omission from the top 20 is Marcus Mariota, who despite an impressive 2016 campaign, was only given an 80 rating, putting him below some unremarkable pivots like Ryan Tannehill and Alex Smith.