The NFL is a business. Sure, it's fun and exciting... it's entertainment! But over all else, the NFL is a business and it's out to make as much money as it can. But even deeper than that, the owners of the 32 individual NFL teams are also out to make as much money as they can, alongside delivering an experience like no other.
Madden NFL Football needs no introduction. It comes out every year, and it is loved by many and scrutinized by even more. Sure, EA could rest on their laurels and release the same game every year with no cares given (see: MLB 2Kx), but they don't, and this year the team has decided to bring back the much beloved Owner Mode, which was last seen fully featured in the last generation of consoles. Not only will you be able to choose from a coach or a player to experience 30 years of the NFL, but now you will be able to either take control of an existing owner or create a brand new owner, complete with character background! Sure, you could just pick your favorite team to own, but why not go outside the box and control another, different, more challenging team simultaneously. You can totally do that thanks to EA bringing back 32-team offline control (THANKS, EA!!!). Well, in today's Lex List, I'm going to look at 5 of the most interesting teams to take over in Madden NFL 25 in the AFC. This is part one of a two part article, and I'll be looking at the NFC in part two, so keep an eye out for that soon!
Madden NFL Football needs no introduction. It comes out every year, and it is loved by many and scrutinized by even more. Sure, EA could rest on their laurels and release the same game every year with no cares given (see: MLB 2Kx), but they don't, and this year the team has decided to bring back the much beloved Owner Mode, which was last seen fully featured in the last generation of consoles. Not only will you be able to choose from a coach or a player to experience 30 years of the NFL, but now you will be able to either take control of an existing owner or create a brand new owner, complete with character background! Sure, you could just pick your favorite team to own, but why not go outside the box and control another, different, more challenging team simultaneously. You can totally do that thanks to EA bringing back 32-team offline control (THANKS, EA!!!). Well, in today's Lex List, I'm going to look at 5 of the most interesting teams to take over in Madden NFL 25 in the AFC. This is part one of a two part article, and I'll be looking at the NFC in part two, so keep an eye out for that soon!
5) Buffalo Bills
Ralph Wilson Stadium
Stadium Opened: 1973
Last Playoff Appearance: 1999
Key Player: EJ Manuel
Whenever I'm choosing a team to control in Franchise Mode, the Bills are always a contender. Cool uniforms aside, there's an interesting rebuilding dynamic. QB EJ Manuel was a surprise pick for most in the first round this past April, and he'll have an immediate position battle with veteran Kevin Kolb, who recently signed by the team. For me, that makes Manuel the key player of this team. Do you believe in Manuel as much as the previous regime did? Do you trade him and look forward to next season's draft? Ralph Wilson Stadium is one of the older stadiums in the NFL, and the Bills spend less than half their season playing games in it. Half is on the road and a game is played in Toronto, which brings up the next interesting point: Do you relocate the team to Toronto and expand the NFL? Do you stay in Buffalo but rebuild a stadium? Do you just upgrade Ralph Wilson? So much to consider if you choose to hold the fate of Buffalo fans in your hands.
Stadium Opened: 1973
Last Playoff Appearance: 1999
Key Player: EJ Manuel
Whenever I'm choosing a team to control in Franchise Mode, the Bills are always a contender. Cool uniforms aside, there's an interesting rebuilding dynamic. QB EJ Manuel was a surprise pick for most in the first round this past April, and he'll have an immediate position battle with veteran Kevin Kolb, who recently signed by the team. For me, that makes Manuel the key player of this team. Do you believe in Manuel as much as the previous regime did? Do you trade him and look forward to next season's draft? Ralph Wilson Stadium is one of the older stadiums in the NFL, and the Bills spend less than half their season playing games in it. Half is on the road and a game is played in Toronto, which brings up the next interesting point: Do you relocate the team to Toronto and expand the NFL? Do you stay in Buffalo but rebuild a stadium? Do you just upgrade Ralph Wilson? So much to consider if you choose to hold the fate of Buffalo fans in your hands.
4) San Diego Chargers
Qualcomm Stadium
Year Opened: 1967
Last Playoff Appearance: 2010
Key Player: Phillip Rivers
Qualcomm is OLD. The NFL has denied a new Super Bowl in San Diego until they get a new Stadium. Now, you could just build them a new stadium if you care about this, or you could just renovate what you have and be good with it. Or... or you could move the team an hour away to Los Angeles. Undoubtedly, LA will be a city that will front most of the bill for relocation. Some San Diego fans might feel betrayed, but those that still want to see the Charger could make the short drive to the new stadium. Plus, the LA Chargers doesn't sound all too bad (hears SD fans shouting in the distance)! Phillip Rivers is your star, but he and the talent around him haven't been the same in a few seasons. Is it time to build around Phillip again, or will you look to the future?
Year Opened: 1967
Last Playoff Appearance: 2010
Key Player: Phillip Rivers
Qualcomm is OLD. The NFL has denied a new Super Bowl in San Diego until they get a new Stadium. Now, you could just build them a new stadium if you care about this, or you could just renovate what you have and be good with it. Or... or you could move the team an hour away to Los Angeles. Undoubtedly, LA will be a city that will front most of the bill for relocation. Some San Diego fans might feel betrayed, but those that still want to see the Charger could make the short drive to the new stadium. Plus, the LA Chargers doesn't sound all too bad (hears SD fans shouting in the distance)! Phillip Rivers is your star, but he and the talent around him haven't been the same in a few seasons. Is it time to build around Phillip again, or will you look to the future?
3) Jacksonville Jaguars
EverBank Field
Year Opened: 1995
Last Playoff Appearance: 2007
Key Player: Luke Joeckel
Stadium is not an issue here, but there are plenty more issues to deal with. I think the hardest thing to do in this situation would be to STAY in Jacksonville and rebuild both the roster and the fanbase. If you choose to go this route, you could snag Tim Tebow from the Patriots and start the Tebow Revolution. You could have a fire sale and build from scratch, although that might take the most amount of time. Then there's my pick for Key Player: rookie Luke Joeckel. Building a team around Joeckel would be a solid plan, but there are many forks in the road with the Jaguars roster, especially when it comes to QB, which is a colossal mess to clean up at the moment. There's been heavy talk in real life about moving the team to Los Angeles or even London, which are both options in the game. If you do decide to move the team, will you keep the brand new logo and uniforms, or just start from the beginning? The amount of work here and the branching options make Jacksonville a team to consider.
Year Opened: 1995
Last Playoff Appearance: 2007
Key Player: Luke Joeckel
Stadium is not an issue here, but there are plenty more issues to deal with. I think the hardest thing to do in this situation would be to STAY in Jacksonville and rebuild both the roster and the fanbase. If you choose to go this route, you could snag Tim Tebow from the Patriots and start the Tebow Revolution. You could have a fire sale and build from scratch, although that might take the most amount of time. Then there's my pick for Key Player: rookie Luke Joeckel. Building a team around Joeckel would be a solid plan, but there are many forks in the road with the Jaguars roster, especially when it comes to QB, which is a colossal mess to clean up at the moment. There's been heavy talk in real life about moving the team to Los Angeles or even London, which are both options in the game. If you do decide to move the team, will you keep the brand new logo and uniforms, or just start from the beginning? The amount of work here and the branching options make Jacksonville a team to consider.
2) Cleveland Browns
FirstEnergy Stadium
Year Opened: 1999
Last Playoff Appearance: 2002
Key Player: Trent Richardson
Oh, the troubles Cleveland's seen. With just minor success in the early 00's, this 2nd generation Browns team has struggled to find a winning formula after they were awarded their club back in 1999. Over the past few years, names like Brady Quinn and Pat Shurmur haunt the heads of Browns fans everywhere. It would be best to just relocate and try to forget this sequel ever happened. Or would it? Do you have the gall to take Cleveland's team away from them again? Do you have the fortitude to gut an entire city where there are little guts left? If you do decide to stay, and that's probably a BIG "if," then rebuilding around Trent Richardson is probably your best option. Although injury is a concern, the potential of Richardson is off the charts. What you decide to do at QB is up to you. For me personally, Brandon Weedon was a curious selection to begin with, and now journeyman Jason Campbell is with his fourth team of his career, so I'd probably get what I could for them and use a lower rated QB for a season. It may take a few years if you decide to stay the course, but Cleveland needs a shot in the arm, especially when their brand new owner is in the trouble he's in in real life. It's up to you to crush Browns fans happiness or rebuild the team into a championship contender.
Year Opened: 1999
Last Playoff Appearance: 2002
Key Player: Trent Richardson
Oh, the troubles Cleveland's seen. With just minor success in the early 00's, this 2nd generation Browns team has struggled to find a winning formula after they were awarded their club back in 1999. Over the past few years, names like Brady Quinn and Pat Shurmur haunt the heads of Browns fans everywhere. It would be best to just relocate and try to forget this sequel ever happened. Or would it? Do you have the gall to take Cleveland's team away from them again? Do you have the fortitude to gut an entire city where there are little guts left? If you do decide to stay, and that's probably a BIG "if," then rebuilding around Trent Richardson is probably your best option. Although injury is a concern, the potential of Richardson is off the charts. What you decide to do at QB is up to you. For me personally, Brandon Weedon was a curious selection to begin with, and now journeyman Jason Campbell is with his fourth team of his career, so I'd probably get what I could for them and use a lower rated QB for a season. It may take a few years if you decide to stay the course, but Cleveland needs a shot in the arm, especially when their brand new owner is in the trouble he's in in real life. It's up to you to crush Browns fans happiness or rebuild the team into a championship contender.
1) Oakland Raiders
O.Co Coliseum
Year Opened: 1966
Last Playoff Appearance: 2002
Key Player: Darren McFadden
Now that Al Davis has passed on, it's the perfect time to restructure the philosophy of the Oakland Raiders. Notice I said "philosophy" and not "mentality." The Raiders are the Raiders, and that's who they should be. However, their method hasn't worked for at least a decade, and it's time to switch things up. Being from Northern California (and no, I'm not a fan of either OAK or SF) saying the Raiders move out of state would be blasphemous. There are a few options IN California to consider though. The first would be Sacramento. "Hey Lex, Sacramento can't even hold down an NBA team!" While I don't claim that Sacramento is the greatest sports town ever, it's time to give them a chance with football. With San Francisco moving into their new stadium next year, it would be ideal for Oakland to move further away from SF, distancing themselves from what is seen as "two teams in the same city." Another option is Los Angeles, where the Raiders have previously resided. However, I feel that LA is no longer a good fit for the Raiders in this modern age. LA has become more glitzy, and I think Oakland needs to go the opposite direction. Though, if you wanted to move the team to LA, I'm sure the city would be willing to pay for nearly everything, which would be a great start to the next 30 years in Oakland. Then there's the issue of the roster. Out is Carson Palmer, who is failed project #142 at QB for Oakland. There now is Matt Flynn, who has never been a true starter in the NFL. Your key player would be Darren McFadden, but he hasn't played a full season in his entire NFL career. Even worse, it's been two years since he's had anything resembling a successful season. He'll probably still be valuable to use in Madden, but there are two key positions that you'll have to account for right off the bat. There are countless other issues on both Offense and Defense, but I still don't see Oakland as a "bad team." If used properly, the Raiders could actually find a way to squeeze into the Division race at the end of the year. All in all, Those are just two of the very unique directions you could take the Raiders in. And, if you decide to take them out of state, you'd probably have quite a Madden memory to hold dear, that's for sure.
Year Opened: 1966
Last Playoff Appearance: 2002
Key Player: Darren McFadden
Now that Al Davis has passed on, it's the perfect time to restructure the philosophy of the Oakland Raiders. Notice I said "philosophy" and not "mentality." The Raiders are the Raiders, and that's who they should be. However, their method hasn't worked for at least a decade, and it's time to switch things up. Being from Northern California (and no, I'm not a fan of either OAK or SF) saying the Raiders move out of state would be blasphemous. There are a few options IN California to consider though. The first would be Sacramento. "Hey Lex, Sacramento can't even hold down an NBA team!" While I don't claim that Sacramento is the greatest sports town ever, it's time to give them a chance with football. With San Francisco moving into their new stadium next year, it would be ideal for Oakland to move further away from SF, distancing themselves from what is seen as "two teams in the same city." Another option is Los Angeles, where the Raiders have previously resided. However, I feel that LA is no longer a good fit for the Raiders in this modern age. LA has become more glitzy, and I think Oakland needs to go the opposite direction. Though, if you wanted to move the team to LA, I'm sure the city would be willing to pay for nearly everything, which would be a great start to the next 30 years in Oakland. Then there's the issue of the roster. Out is Carson Palmer, who is failed project #142 at QB for Oakland. There now is Matt Flynn, who has never been a true starter in the NFL. Your key player would be Darren McFadden, but he hasn't played a full season in his entire NFL career. Even worse, it's been two years since he's had anything resembling a successful season. He'll probably still be valuable to use in Madden, but there are two key positions that you'll have to account for right off the bat. There are countless other issues on both Offense and Defense, but I still don't see Oakland as a "bad team." If used properly, the Raiders could actually find a way to squeeze into the Division race at the end of the year. All in all, Those are just two of the very unique directions you could take the Raiders in. And, if you decide to take them out of state, you'd probably have quite a Madden memory to hold dear, that's for sure.
Thank you for checking out this edition of The Lex List. Part 2 (NFC teams) will be coming soon, so make sure you check in with RantemRadio.com frequently. You can follow me on Twitter @The_Lexicon as well as this website @RantemRadio. Comment below with some of the teams you think would be a fun experience, and we just might mention you on the next episode of The Game Time Report! Thanks again for reading...
-Lex
-Lex
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