For football fans and gamers alike, Madden 26 is the finest NFL-themed game around right now. Alongside other popular products from the genre, such as NFL Blitz and Retro Bowl, the latest instalment from the Madden series is exceptional. However, for avid console gamers who perhaps aren’t clued up on the sport, deciding on the best team to play with isn’t always easy.
While passionate football fans will be fully aware of the top teams and their players, casuals won’t. In the same way, people who bet on the Super Bowl, given how huge it is, don’t necessarily have a flutter on any other games during the season. Many gamers explore titles like Madden NFL 26 without being diehard fans of the sport. The same applies to titles like EA Sports FC 26, with many players of the game not necessarily following the Premier League on a weekly basis and knowing who Erling Haaland is.
So, with that in mind, below we highlight the best teams for gamers to pick in Madden NFL 26 and why. Whether you’re playing online or taking down a friend, these teams are solid picks to make given the stacked rosters they possess.
Baltimore Ravens
With a 93 overall rating, the Baltimore Ravens are clearly the best team to pick in Madden NFL 26. Despite failing to win the Super Bowl for well over a decade, the franchise is blessed with excellent players, while they’ve also added some new faces in the shape of DeAndre Hopkins and Chidobe Awuzie. A strong all-round team that is capable of coming out on top in both defense and offense, the team also has star quarterback Lamar Jackson to call upon in the biggest of moments.
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Philadelphia Eagles
After winning last season’s Super Bowl, the Eagles have regressed somewhat after crashing out in this season’s Wild Card Round. However, the makers of Madden couldn’t have predicted such an outcome, resulting in many knowledgeable fans who play the game wondering why the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t rated the same as the aforementioned Ravens. Still, rated at 91, the Eagles are a force to be reckoned with in the game despite losing some big performers in the offseason, which perhaps goes some way towards explaining their lower-than-expected rating. From Jalen Hurts to Saquon Barkley, they have some top players.
Kansas City Chiefs
With the likes of star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to play as and Kareem Hunt to use, the Kansas City Chiefs are another good pick to make. Rated 90 overall, the team contains a great all-round roster of players that are capable of seeing off any opponent on their day. If you can find your rhythm with the Chiefs, then none of your friends will fancy their chances against you.
Buffalo Bills
Rated 89, the Buffalo Bills are tied with the Vikings for making the most Super Bowl appearances without actually winning it. However, despite this unwanted record, the Bills are capable of being there or thereabouts, given the extensive selection of supreme talents they have. Josh Allen remains a key cog in their wheel and is one of the best quarterbacks in the game, while they also have some other reliable performers in the shape of James Cook III, Dion Dawkins, and Greg Rousseau.
Minnesota Vikings
Finally, we have the Minnesota Vikings, a franchise rated 88 in the game. While their offensive rating lags behind the competition at the top of the rankings, their defense is superb. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson is rated at 95, Ryan Kelly’s at 91, and Christian Darrisaw is 90. Overall, they’re dangerous.
