The USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League is off and running, with a full slate of exciting early-round action in the books.
After 142 games, 38 participants remain—each looking ahead to the next round, the chance for ultimate bragging rights, and a possible slice of the $10,000 prize pool!
And if the head-to-head matchups this coming week are anything like the first few rounds, then look out!
The Madden 20 gamers still in the running have put on a gridiron display, with some of their highlights even hitting social media, like this passing clinic put together by Jamir:
Had to hit y’all with some of my best passes for week 2! A lil taste but here we come for the third round. @JoinSuperLeague @usatodaysports @ForTheWin #MyMadden10KPlays pic.twitter.com/e3W9mLWsAv
— Jamir (@stillasixerfan) July 17, 2020
(Note: good luck to the defense that goes up against him in the next round.)
And that’s just a glimpse!
From close calls to stout defensive efforts to the play-calling mastery that lit up the scoreboard, here’s a look back at some early storylines from the USA Today Sports Madden 20 $10K Open Powered by Super League that stood out.
JR Slay prides himself on defense and controlling the game—and it has shown
With the New England Patriots under his schematic control, opposing offenses found practically zero success.
What’s working?
“My keys on defense have been not allowing my opponent to run the football,” he told For the Win. “Running the ball in Madden 20 is extremely effective—a lot of people rely on the running game to move the ball—and I feel that if I am able to force my opponent into passing downs/situations, I can be successful.”
So far, it’s worked. No team has scored more than 14 points on JR. And the dominance has helped his offense, too, winning the critical battle of field position. That is, when the McCourty brothers or Stephon Gilmore—”the best corner in Madden 20,” Slay explained—aren’t taking it to the house on a pick-6.
As for the next round, seeing the Pats on the sidelines for JR Slay isn’t a lock. “If I feel like I need more offensive firepower versus someone using a team like the Chiefs, then I may change teams to the (Houston) Texans!”
Earlybird4k kept his cool under pressure
Speaking of the Houston Texans, they faced a true nail-biter under the helm of Earlybird4k last round, but he wasn’t phased by a little pressure, ultimately leading the team to a 10-7 win.
When asked about the close victory, he reminded fans—especially in the Houston area—of a quarterback-wideout combo in Madden 20 that many wish would be around for many Madden iterations to come: Deshaun Watson to DeAndre Hopkins.
“The run game and ball control, with ‘D Watson to D Hop’ thrown in there, keeps me in ball games for the most part,” he told For the Win.
Another player who looks to command the game’s tempo, Earlybird4k explained that we should expect a controlled effort in the next round “with a run game and strong defense.”
And he’s sticking with the team that’s got him to this point, not switching allegiances to his actual squad, the Denver Broncos.
“I will again be running with Deshaun Watson and the crew.”
He scored how many points?
I Make Those might be one of the most fitting names in the Madden 20 10K Open.
During the last game—led by the trio of Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen—his Minnesota Vikings offense scored 62 points!
“Everything on the field for me was clicking,” he explained to For the Win, “with Kirk Cousins having a day and throwing 7 TDs, and Dalvin having over 200 yards on the ground.”
It was easy work for the NFC North crew, aided by a quick defensive stop that allowed the Vikes to take a control and never relinquish it.
But I Make Those understands that as the playing field decreases, the competition increases.
“Heading into (the) next game, I’m going to try to keep the offense rolling, but I’m going to have to be ready to adjust because of how different some players are when playing Madden.”
Arguably, there are also 62 reasons why the opponent should be the one preparing to adjust, but we’ll have to wait and see how the in-game chess match unfolds.
The same goes for the other remaining Madden 20 10K Open matchups, as the players continue to battle for a playoff spot and a chance at cold, hard cash!
This tournament is not affiliated with or sponsored by Electronic Arts Inc. or its licensors.