The much-ballyhooed release of the player ratings in the latest edition of the Madden football video game franchise shed some light on how the Detroit Lions players and overall talent level are viewed from the outside. Based on the initial ratings and the general reaction to them, there is not much light at all to be found.
Detroit’s ratings are a great example of the relative darkness that is perceived to envelop the franchise by many on the outside — and a fair portion of its own fanbase, too. It’s a dark reflection on the lack of top-end talent and big-name players.
The two highest-rated Lions, WR Kenny Golladay and DE Trey Flowers, both earned an 86 overall rating. That is the lowest figure for any team’s top-rated player, just below Jacksonville (center Brandon Linder) and Washington (guard Brandon Scherff), whose top players earned 87 ratings.
Just 13 Lions earned ratings of at least 80; only Washington and Jacksonville (notice a trend here?) have fewer. What’s more ominous about that figure for the Lions is that four of those earning 80 or above are newcomers to the team.
- Desmond Trufant – 83
- Jamie Collins – 83
- Danny Shelton – 81
- Duron Harmon – 80
Detroit fans are rightly excited by some of the young talent on the roster. Players like Tracy Walker, Frank Ragnow, T.J. Hockenson, Da’Shawn Hand, Kerryon Johnson and the top two rookies, Jeff Okudah and D’Andre Swift. The Madden ratings for all those players are lower than expected and low relative to their positional status with their NFL peers on other teams.
Madden 21 developer EA Sports appears to have fallen into the same trap many in the national media, often unwittingly, stumble into about the Lions. The lack of winning culture darkens the outlook and waters down the perception of the players.
Sure, some of the low ratings can be justified. Matthew Stafford sits at 83 despite coming off a fantastic 8-game season. But he’s an injury concern and hasn’t always performed at such a high level as he did in 2019. Kerryon Johnson’s injury woes dock him down to an 83 as well.
It’s a video game built around the promise of exciting game play, and the Lions are simply not very exciting right now. Winning in the real NFL is the only way to pump up the enthusiasm and ratings in the world of Madden football, however. That’s what the Lions ratings in Madden 21 say about the broader perception of Detroit football entering the 2020 NFL season.
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