Bringing the Classics Back: Madden NFL 2002 49ers Franchise on Original Xbox

[PGaither84]

As we enter week 14 of the 2001 season, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves facing off against their long-time divisional rivals, the St. Louis Rams. The 49ers have already defeated the Rams once this season, back in week 3, and they'll be looking to do it again on the road.


The Rams will be without their star running back, Marshall Faulk, for this game, which could be a major blow to their offense. However, they still have plenty of weapons to work with, including a talented quarterback in Kurt Warner and a dangerous receiving corps.


The 49ers, on the other hand, have been firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball. Their offense has been explosive all season, with a top 10 ranking in both passing and rushing yards per game. Defensively, they have steadily improved throughout the season, and currently rank in the top half of the league against both the pass and the run.


This matchup promises to be a hard-fought battle between two bitter divisional rivals. Can the 49ers overcome the Rams' potent passing attack and take advantage of their depleted rushing game? Will the Rams be able to find a way to win without their star running back? All these questions and more will be answered when these two teams take the field in Madden NFL 2002. Don't miss out on what promises to be an exciting matchup between two NFC West powerhouses!

[PGaither84]

As we enter week 15 of the 2001 NFL season, we have a highly anticipated matchup between two of the top teams in the league. The San Francisco 49ers, with an impressive 11-2 record, are set to take on the Miami Dolphins, who are nipping at their heels with a record of 9-4.

Led by defensive stars Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, the Dolphins have been a force to be reckoned with this season. Their defense has been able to shut down some of the best offenses in the NFL. On the offensive side of the ball, they are led by quarterback Jay Fiedler and a solid running game, making them a well-rounded team.

But the 49ers are no slouches themselves. They have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, with a top 10 ranking in both passing and rushing yards per game. Their defense has also steadily improved throughout the season, and they have been able to shut down some of the best offenses in the league.

This game promises to be a Superb-Owl preview, pitting two of the top teams in their respective conferences against each other. Will the 49ers be able to continue their dominant season, or will the Dolphins be able to pull off the upset and solidify their position as one of the top teams in the NFL? Find out when these two powerhouse teams face off in Madden NFL 2002!

[PGaither84]

As we approach the end of the regular season, every game is crucial for teams vying for playoff spots. The San Francisco 49ers, fresh off a hard-fought loss to the Miami Dolphins, are now set to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, who are still very much in the playoff hunt.


With an 8-6 record, the Eagles are part of a five-way tie in the NFC, making this game a must-win for them. Led by quarterback Donovan McNabb and a strong defense, the Eagles have the talent to make a deep playoff run if they can secure a spot.


But the 49ers, with their explosive offense and improved defense, are not going to make it easy for them. Despite the loss to the Dolphins, the 49ers have been one of the top teams in the league this season and have already clinched a playoff spot.


This game promises to be a battle between two talented teams with a lot on the line. Will the 49ers be able to bounce back from their loss and secure a higher seed in the playoffs? Or will the Eagles be able to continue their push for a playoff spot and pull off the upset on the road? Find out when these two teams face off in Madden NFL 2002!

[PGaither84]

Week 17 is here, and the 12-3 San Francisco 49ers are set to face off against their long-time rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, who are 2-13 on the season. While the Cowboys have struggled this season, they are always a team that can rise to the occasion and play spoiler, especially against a team like the 49ers who are already playoff-bound. With nothing left to lose, the Cowboys will come into this game with everything they have, looking to end their disappointing season on a high note by defeating their bitter rivals. Meanwhile, the 49ers will be looking to build upon their overtime victory in the previous week and secure the top seed in the NFC playoffs in the previous week and secure the top seed in the NFC playoffs. Will the 49ers be able to put the loss behind them and come out on top, or will the Cowboys shock the world and end their season on a high note with a stunning upset? Don't miss a minute of the action as the 49ers and the Cowboys go head-to-head in this final game of the regular season.

[PGaither84]

The regular season has come to an end, and it's time to see how our team has fared. Who led the league in passing, rushing, and receiving yards? Which player was awarded the MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, and Defensive Player of the Year? You'll find out in this video as we take a deep dive into the end-of-season stats and player awards.


But that's not all! We'll also be simulating the playoff games leading up to the 49ers' crucial matchup in the divisional round.

[PGaither84]

Attention football fans, it's time for the most exciting game of the Madden NFL 2002 Franchise mode! The San Francisco 49ers have clinched the #1 seed in the NFC and are set to take on the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round.


Just like in real life, the 49ers will face off against the Packers, but the question remains, will history repeat itself in the virtual gridiron? In real life, the 49ers fell short to the Packers 25-15, but in the Madden NFL 2002 Franchise mode, anything is possible.


The 49ers have finished the regular season with an impressive record of 12-4 and are hungry for more success in the playoffs. The Packers, on the other hand, will be looking to upset the #1 seed and move on to the NFC Championship game. Get ready for an intense matchup as the 49ers and Packers battle it out on the virtual field.


Will the 49ers come out on top and rewrite history, or will the Packers repeat their victory? Tune in to find out! Don't miss out on the action and be sure to watch the most exciting game of the Madden NFL 2002 Franchise mode!

[PGaither84]

Attention football fans, it's time for the thrilling conclusion of the Madden NFL 2002 Franchise mode season 1! Although the San Francisco 49ers' season has come to an end, our series continues with the remaining playoff games and the Pro Bowl.

Who will take home the ultimate prize and be crowned Super Bowl champions? Will it be the dominant teams that made it to the playoffs, or will there be some unexpected upsets along the way? We'll be simulating the remaining playoff games to find out, so make sure you don't miss a single second of the action.

But that's not all, we also have the Pro Bowl to look forward to. Unlike in real life, the Pro Bowl in Madden NFL 2002 features players giving their full effort, making for a thrilling game that you won't want to miss. See your favorite stars in action, as they showcase their skills and compete against the best players in the league.

Get ready for an unforgettable conclusion to the first season of our Madden NFL 2002 Franchise mode. Find out who will take home the Super Bowl trophy and watch the Pro Bowl like you've never seen it before - the players actually try! Don't miss out on the excitement and be sure to tune in.

[PGaither84]

Review of the season:
I would like to reflect upon the season we experienced together. With my slider set that was inspired by the Madden Manifesto by Sm27, we had a satisfying and thrilling experience. Minor adjustments were made along the way and it is time to reflect both upon the various aspects, both good and bad.


On the whole, we saw the defending Super bowl Champions - the Ravens - take on the team which would end up playing in the super bowl a year later - the Buccaneers. not a bad simulation if I say so myself. Similarly, the 49ers finished with the same 12-4 record, though the outcomes were somewhat different and the rams failed to take the league by storm. The 49ers even faced off against and were outmatched by the Green Bay Packers, just like in real life.


Many of the stats were very accurate, or within range of plausibility. Others were staggeringly off. Kevin Barlow was given the starting job after 4 games as he showed a hot hand while backing up Hearst, and Hearst showed he was not at all ready to carry the full load for the 2001 season. This change helped both players. Starting Barlow kept Heart fresh all game and all season, which allowed him to make key contributions as a third down running back and when Barlow was tired.


Defensively, with the Madden NFL 2002 game engine, middle linebackers hardly racked up many tackles at all (4 or fewer per game for just under 60 for our starter Smith), while the simulation engine saw top MLBs well over 100 tackles for the season. I don't think any amount of sliders can change this, as there are fundamental flaws in madden NFL 2002's defense. Much needed changes and improvements would be made for 2003 and 2005. Pursuit, gang tackling, and better gap control all contributed to improvements in later titles.


The CPU doesn't like to scramble with the QB. Nothing is going to fix this either. The AI essentially makes Vick the most ineffective pocket passer and waste of talent. That is unfortunate.


I am interested in trying two controllers, and then setting them to the center after the game starts for year two.