How social media scoffed at the Madden 24 best teams list at launch – and how EA had the last laugh. The top roster in Madden 24 on day one was the Kansas City Chiefs, and they ultimately justified that status with another Super Bowl win. The devs didn't get everything right though, with Philly in second place and Joe Burrow's Bengals at number four. Below we use the default ratings to profile the five best franchises, and the worst two – along with the complete Madden 24 team ratings list.
1 Kansas City Chiefs - 92
The Bills entered last season as many experts’ pick to claim the AFC Championship. Pat Mahomes (QB, 99) and Travis Kelce (TE, 99) had something to say about that – outlasting their rivals in blue to claim a second Lombardi trophy in four years. Mahomes is almost impossible to defend both in the air and on foot, while main runner Isiah Pacheco (HB, 80) has developed into one of the league’s most elusive running backs. You’ll face constant headaches against the Chiefs online – so may have to adopt the ‘can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em’ approach.
2 Philadelphia Eagles - 91
There’s plenty to get pumped for in Philly, despite falling short in February’s Super Bowl. Like Mahomes, Jalen Hurts’ (QB, 88) dual-threat abilities make him a thrill to handle in Madden 24. AJ Brown (WR, 91) brings a big body and safe hands, DeVonta Smith (WR, 87) adds masses of after-the-catch ability, and trading for D’Andre Swift (HB, 81) gives the Eagles two very different, yet potentially deadly, threats behind the line of scrimmage. Nick Sirianni’s innovative playbook offers myriad variety, too. These guys could easily have been number one – and there’s a chance they finish the season that way.
3 Buffalo Bills - 90
In third place we find the Madden 24 cover vote winner. Bills quarterback Josh Allen (QB, 94) scored that honor this year, ensuring he’s a deadly threat both online and off. Stefon Diggs (WR, 96) and Gabe Davis (WR, 83) help Allen out with super glue hands, while new signing Damien Harris (HB, 79) adds a powerful alternative to key rusher James Cook (HB, 75). Von Miller (RE, 94), Ed Oliver (DT, 81), Jordan Poyer (SS, 90) and Micah Hyde (FS, 89) should make plenty of big plays on D, too.
4 Cincinnati Bengals - 89
Cinci has proven itself as a play-off heavyweight over the past two seasons, and the 2023-24 campaign may well see them go deep into January yet again. That’s reflected in high individual ratings for the likes of Joe Burrow (QB, 95), Ja’Marr Chase (WR, 94), and Joe Mixon (HB, 87). While those guys make for a dangerous offense, there are playmakers on D too – such as DJ Reader (DT, 87) and fellow lineman Trey Hendrickson (RE, 87).
5 Dallas Cowboys - 88
The Cowboys are widely seen as the NFL’s Marmite team - you either love them, or love to hate them. A top five placing this year is likely to increase that divide on social media. Right guard and 99 Club member Zack Martin is the standout player on the roster, rivalled only by Micah Parsons (RE, 97). QB Dak Prescott starts the campaign with an 87 OVR, although back-up Cooper Rush can consider himself harshly treated. In 2022 he became the first ever Cowboys signal-caller to win his first five starts. His reward from EA? An overall rating of 65. Ouch.
The two Madden 23 worst teams
31 Los Angeles Rams - 73
Well, this is quite the fall from grace. The Rams kicked off the Madden 23 best teams list in 3rd place, only outdone by Tampa Bay and Buffalo. Ahead of Madden 24, they’re relegated all the way down to 31st. Oof. There are some signs of hope, such as sack machine Aaron Donald (RE, 99) – who tops the Madden 24 overall ratings – and ball magnet Cooper Kupp (WR, 96), but you’re going to struggle against the teams featured above if you go to war in yellow and blue. It’s especially tough news for Matthew Stafford, with the veteran QB starting this season on a lowly OVR of 75.
32 Arizona Cardinals - 72
If there’s a glimmer of cheer for Rams fans, it’s that they’re not the worst team in the NFC West, according to EA’s data digitisers. That 'honor' belongs to the Cards. Budda Baker (SS, 90) is the team’s top-scoring player, but they only have four others rated 80 or above: Marquise Brown (WR, 84), Zach Ertz (TE, 83), Isaiah Simmons (SS, 81) and Rondale Moore (WR, 80).There is a shred of positivity on the Madden 24 rookie ratings list: a 77 OVR for new offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr.
Madden 24 complete team ratings list
- 1 Kansas City Chiefs 92
- 2 Philadelphia Eagles 91
- 3 Buffalo Bills 90
- 4 Cincinnati Bengals 89
- 5 Dallas Cowboys 88
- 6= Baltimore Ravens 87
- 6= Cleveland Browns 87
- 8= San Francisco 49ers 86
- 8= Miami Dolphins 86
- 10= Los Angeles Chargers 85
- 10= Minnesota Vikings 85
- 12= New York Jets 84
- 12= Jacksonville Jaguars 84
- 14= Detroit Lions 83
- 14= Seattle Seahawks 83
- 16= New Orleans Saints 82
- 16= New England Patriots 82
- 16= New York Giants 82
- 19= Tampa Bay Buccaneers 81
- 19= Atlanta Falcons 81
- 19= Pittsburgh Steelers 81
- 22= Denver Broncos 80
- 22= Washington Commanders 80
- 22= Carolina Panthers 80
- 25= Las Vegas Raiders 79
- 25= Green Bay Packers 79
- 27 Houston Texans 78
- 28 Indianapolis Colts 77
- 29 Chicago Bears 76
- 30 Tennessee Titans 74
- 31 Los Angeles Rams 73
- 32 Arizona Cardinals 72
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
Ben Wilson
I'm GamesRadar's sports editor, and obsessed with NFL, WWE, MLB, AEW, and occasionally things that don't have a three-letter acronym – such as Chvrches, Bill Bryson, and Streets Of Rage 4. (All the Streets Of Rage games, actually.) Even after three decades I still have a soft spot for Euro Boss on the Amstrad CPC 464+.
More about sports
Latest
See comments
