Operation Sports Forums - AWFL M20 NFC Team Previews

Today we take a look at the NFC team previews. With Madden and EA Access only a few days a way we are on the brink of another successful cycle.

NFC EAST:

Philadelphia Eagles (BR):

The Eagles come into M20 as the top rated team at 89 overall. With talent on both sides of the ball the Eagles immediately are in the conversation to represent the NFC. Superstar X-factor Fletcher Cox (96 overall Fearmonger) leads the defense while TE Zach Ertz (93 overall, Max security) paves the way offensively. One of the biggest controversies was Carson Wentz being an 82 overall. Will BR enable Wentz to play like his potential MVP self or will he struggle with his supporting WRs aging (Alshon Jeffrey 87 overall 29 years old, Desean Jackson 85 overall 32 years old).

Championship window: Entire cycle S1-S7
Team building difficulty: 2/10

New York Giants (King Bernard):

Wow does King Bernard have his work cut out for him. One short Madden season ago the Giants were a sleeper team and now one year and one less OBJ and Snacks Harrison (96 & 95 overall) the Giants are in disarray. Spending an early first on 63 overall QB Daniel Jones won’t immediately solve their problems and 91 overall RB Saquon Barkley is likely to face stacked boxes all season. How will King Bernard design his offense to create opportunities for Barkley? Will Evan Engram (84 overall, 90 speed) be the main receiving threat on offense? The Giants find themselves behind the 8-ball with a stacked division and need to figure out their cycle long goals and plans quickly.
Championship window: Late mid-late cycle S4-S7
Team building difficulty: 5/10

Washington Redskins (Warhog):

Washington’s future is in rookie QB Dwayne Haskins (72 overall) hands. Free agent acquisition Landon Collins (83 overall) gives this secondary that’s much needed. Second year pro Derrius Guice (78 overall) will need to take the load off of Haskins shoulders to be successful. A sneaky talented defensive line led by Matthew Ioannidis (83 overall 25 years old), DT Daron Payne (83 overall 22 years old) and Jonathan Allen (82 overall 24 years old) gives this team a foundation up front that not many have to build upon.
Championship window: Mid-cycle S3-S5
Team building difficulty: 4/10

Dallas Cowboys (Jimmy):

The Dallas Cowboys check in as the second highest rated team at 87 overall. There’s no way to look at this team and not notice three offensive lineman over 90 overall. Zack Martin, Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith immediately give Dallas the best offensive line in the game and not to mention 94 overall Ezekiel Elliott powering through it. I’d be lying if I could tell you there’s some sort of glaring weakness on this team, even Jason Witten who spent one year out of football and is 37 years old is somehow 83 overall. This team is talented, young and ready to compete immediately.
Championship window: Entire cycle S1-S7
Team building difficulty: 1/10

 NFC NORTH:

Chicago Bears (The Prudent):

Sporting another member of the 99 club, Khalil Mack is a match up nightmare for everyone. This is a big time advantage that will alter offenses opposing him. If you manage to get a pass off you have FS Eddie Jackson (91 overall) & CB Kyle Fuller (89 overall) waiting in the backend. Offensively Mitchell Trubisky has a nice young group to grow with on the Bears. How GM Prudent develops his offensive line is another issue. If protected Trubisky can flourish but if there’s no improvements here it may be a long few seasons in Chicago.

Championship window: Entire cycle S1-S7
Team building difficulty: 3/10

Green Bay Packers (HSKR):

Green Bay finds itself in a great position for this M20 cycle. High overall veteran talent like QB Aaron Rodgers (90 overall) & DE Mike Daniels (87) lead this team while a new and improved young defense really sets this team up to compete long term. X-factor Aaron Rodgers (Gambler) is 35 years old and may only be around for one user season. How the Packers approach their QB of the future situation is very important for this franchise. QB Deshone Kizer (63 overall) and QB Tim Boyle (55 overall) may be forced into action unless the draft or free agency goes well for the Pack.

Championship window: Early, late cycle S1, S5-S7
Team building difficulty: 4/10

Detroit Lions (Zcar):

Zcar has his hands full with this Detroit Lions team. Short on talent and an aging Matthew Stafford (79 overall 31 years old) the direction this Lions teams takes is up to anyone. Damon Harrison clocks in at 95 overall and could be the perfect trade piece for Zcar to look ahead in this team rebuild. Darius Slay (89 overall 28 years old) could find himself on the block as well. If Zcar is all-in on competing then he will have to lean heavily on RB Kerryon Johnson (81 overall 22 years old). It will be tough sledding either way but Zcar needs to come into this cycle with a plan for this squad.

Championship window: Late cycle S5-S7
Team building difficulty: 8/10

Minnesota Vikings (Spartan):

The Vikings are a mixed bag as a team. On one hand you have top tier talent like Superstar SS Harrison Smith (94 overall) and WR Adam Thielen (94 overall) but age is quickly catching up with this squad. Spartan has to be very meticulous on how he handles this team because he easily could find himself over the cap quickly. The positives are that this team has talent on it. WR Stefon Diggs (93 overall) and second year RB Dalvin Cook (85 overall) lead the future of this offense while rookies TE Irv Smith Jr (75 overall) adds some talent to the TE group. Another team that requires careful managing and needing to hit on a few drafts early on to keep the Vikings in contender ship all cycle.

Championship window: Early-Mid cycle S1-S5
Team building difficulty: 5/10

 NFC SOUTH:

Atlanta Falcons (Greatness):

Atlanta continues to be a top Madden team for what seems like 5 years in a row. We all know about Julio Jones (98 overall), we all know about Deion Jones (90 overall), but SS Keanu Neal (88 overall 24 years old) may be the piece needed to ensure this team continues to much for the NFC crown each season. Many may question Neal’s mention over QB Matt Ryan’s but at 34 years old and his career winding down I personally believe this team will stock up and build their defense as Ryan and Julio Jones regress and retire. However the regression bug hits in M20 is to be seen but one thing is for sure and that is that the Atlanta Falcons are a talented bunch.

Championship window: Early, late cycle S1-S3, S5-S7
Team building difficulty: 3/10

Carolina Panthers (Bumble):

Possibly one of the most overlooked teams this cycle would be the Panthers. An ideal CFM start with talent, speed, and youth all on their side it’s hard not to like Bumble’s chances early on and even late cycle. The Wide Receiver room is flush with talent like DJ Moore (81 overall 22 years old), Curtis Samuel (78 overall 23 years old 95 speed) and veterans Chris Hogan and Torrey Smith round out this group to give them a little bit of everything. Rookie DE Brian Burns has the potential to be an instant impact maker and his measurable are incredible (88 speed, 91 acc). While future Pro Bowl cornerback Donte Jackson (80 overall 23 years old) is a great talent, this team needs to look to continue to bolster their secondary in the future years.

Championship window: Entire cycle S1-S7
Team building difficulty: 2/10

New Orleans Saints (NB):

Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara. Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore, Sheldon Rankins. This team is loaded from the jump. The Saints have the talent to come up swinging as long as Drew Brees is upright. The difference between this team and the Green Bay Packers is Teddy Bridgewater. Still only 26 years old and a respectable 73 overall, the Saints don’t have to panic in order to replace Drew Brees. Once Brees retires, more cap space is available to build around Bridgewater giving this team an advantage mostly all cycle long.

Championship window: Early, late cycle S1-S2, S5-S7
Team building difficulty: 2/10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bondzai):

Tampa Bay is maybe a season or two away from really being as competitive as they’d like to be. Former first overall pick Jameis Winston (76 overall) is at a crossroads in his career and could be gone at seasons end. Quarterback play is what will drive this young offense into the future while rookie MLB Devin White (74 overall, 92 speed) is set to anchor this defense from day one. Tampa Bay requires a lot of care and smart team management to get them to their full potential. Can Bondzai get Tampa back where they need to be?

Championship window: Mid-late cycle S3-S7
Team building difficulty: 7/10

NFC WEST:

Arizona Cardinals (Charter):

Arizona may be the most fun team to use this CFM cycle. First overall pick QB Kyler Murray (73 overall, 91 speed) finds himself with another fellow rookie WR Andy Isabella (72 overall 95 speed) to form a potential long term duo for this offense. The issue with the Cardinals is not their offense (outside of o-line) but their defense. What is the identity of this squad? Patrick Peterson is 29, Terrell Suggs and criminally underrated Chandler Jones (82 overall) aren’t getting any younger. Charter will have his hands full with this team but if coached well can compete. With good progression and strong drafts this team could look very powerful by the end of the cycle.

Championship window: Mid-late cycle S3-S7
Team building difficulty: 4/10

Seattle Seahawks (Seran):

Bobby Wagner is going to be a problem for the rest of the NFC West. In the elite 99 club, Wagner will hold down the middle of Seran’s defense until he retires. A young cornerback duo in Shaquill Griffin (80 overall 24 years old) and Tre Flowers (79 overall 24 years old) gives the Seahawks some relief on the backend of their defense. Russell Wilson will continue his career path and be an impact player each game but the most intriguing offense piece is 87 overall Chris Carson. Somehow this rating is real and Seran will use this to his full advantage. With 87 trucking Seran’s right thumb stick will be broken by the end of season one from barreling over everybody. Short term this team can compete and long term barring a meltdown in GM skills, Seran will fly under the radar each season but be a force each season.

Championship window: Entire cycle S1-S7
Team building difficulty: 5/10

San Francisco 49ers (Arlen):

Arlen joins his pal Seran in the NFC West and takes on another fun CFM squad. A very speedy offense led by WR Marquise Goodwin (83 overall, 98 speed) and TE George Kittle (90 overall, 88 speed) this team will be able to score with the best of them. Defensively, rookie DE Nick Bosa (78 overall) joins a loaded group that will get after the opposing quarterbacks easily. The 49ers have a good to decent team now but with progression this team will be absolutely loaded by S3.

Championship window: Mid-late cycle S3-S7
Team building difficulty: 4/10

LA Rams (WeaponX):

The forgotten team by M20 standards, WeaponX knows this Rams team inside and out. Not only do the Rams have a member of the 99 club in Aaron Donald, RB Todd Gurley tops all other backs with a 97 overall. Talent all over, this team has the roster upfront to hang with the best of them. A huge unnoticed issue for this team is their depth. If injuries strike, backups tend to range in the lower overalls than most. WeaponX will need to progress these guys and be somewhat active during free agency because one or two injuries can really cripple this team.

Championship window: Entire cycle S1-S7
Team building difficulty: 3/10