5 Possible Sleeper Teams In Madden 18

It never fails. Every year, you keep coming across a few Madden teams you just can’t seem to figure out, and that you never saw coming. We have no reason to believe this season will be any different. Not to worry, though. The pros at Madden School are constantly studying. We are dedicated to getting you ready for Madden 18’s release in August. To help, we’ve put together 5 possible sleeper teams in Madden 18.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have been working on rebuilding their team, but especially the defense. After drafting a couple of young pass rushers in Bosa and Ingram, the Chargers defense has the potential to stop Madden offenses. That said, the Chargers finally went out and drafted some offensive weapons to help Philip Rivers.

Rivers finished the season with an 83 overall rating, but that’s not reflective of his 92 awareness, 89 throw power, or 86 medium accuracy. The lack of reliable playmakers at receiver definitely hurt Rivers’ Madden rating the last couple of seasons. Hopefully, rookie WR Mike Williams coupled with Keenan Allen help provide you with threats at the receiver spot.

If not, then RB Melvin Gordon, who has an 85 overall rating, can help soften up your opponents. Both TE’s Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates are great options in the play action passing game. The Chargers certainly have what it takes to be an incredibly high powered Madden offense.

What about the defense? You have to factor in the fact that the Chargers have the reigning defensive rookie of the year in DE Joey Bosa. Bosa’s 87 overall is the highest for any rookie to end last season, but an improving secondary with CB Jason Verrett means the Chargers defense has the ability to stop number one receivers. 

If you can score points in bunches, rush the passer, and stop your opponent’s best receiver, then you’ll win games in Madden. The Los Angeles Chargers can do just that making them one of the possible sleeper teams in Madden 18.

Minnesota Vikings

It’s hard to believe that Minnesota missed the playoffs last season after their strong start, but they did. The Vikings lost Madden legend RB Adrian Peterson to the New Orleans Saints during the off season. Minnesota brought in RB Latavius Murray and drafted RB Dalvin Cook to help make up for the loss. Murray finished the season rated an 83 overall, but his solid speed and truck ratings will serve you well if you like to use the Vikings.

The sometimes forgotten about and underrated Sam Bradford ended the year with an 82 overall rating. He certainly has the potential to bring that number up after the team has done a great job of providing him with receivers. Adam Thielan is relatively unknown, but he ended the year rated a solid 81 next to Stefon Diggs who’s overall is a respectable 85. TE Kyle Rudolph will also give your opponents headaches on defense.

Rudolph’s size coupled with his whopping 92 catch, and reliable 85 catch in traffic ratings make him the ideal TE for those of you who like the play action passing game. Factor in rookie RB Dalvin Cook’s potential as a 3rd Down Running Back, or 3DRB, and the Vikings have potential to keep your opponents guessing on defense all game long. 

Speaking of defense, let’s not forget about the Minnesota defense. The Vikings front seven has players who can rush the passer with DE Everson Griffen and DT Sharrif Floyd. Add in talented players in the secondary such as the game’s top rated FS Harrison Smith (94 ovr), and the Minnesota Vikings are certainly considered one of the possible sleeper teams in Madden 18.

Jacksonville Jaguars

There has been a lot of talk about the Jacksonville Jaguars during the Madden off season. They’re an intriguing team. Defensive additions such as DE/DT Calais Campbell and CB AJ Bouye will both boost the Jacksonville defensive rating in Madden 18.

Considering rookie RB Leonard Fournette’s potential as a Madden beast, the two “Allens” playing receiver, and the Jacksonville Jaguars could be a dangerous team to face in Madden 18. The only thing holding Jacksonville back is QB Blake Bortles and his dismal, and very disappointing 76 overall rating to end the season. If Bortles’ rating can come up just a few points, then the Jaguars offense has the potential to really put up some points.

One area of concern for Madden 18 players is Jacksonville’s offensive line. The O-line was absolutely awful the past couple of Madden seasons, and that allows opponents with good pass rushers to just tee-off on Bortles, especially when they know you’re throwing. But drafting Cam Robinson at LT will hopefully help bring the O-line’s ability up a little bit.

Interesting note, and you may have seen this on the bottom ticker if you’re still playing Madden 17 regularly, teams that take a RB with a top 5 draft pick historically finish 8-8 or better the following season. We’ll see about that, but until then, the Jaguars have earned a spot as one of the possible sleeper teams in Madden 18.

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia wasted no time getting Carson Wentz some weapons at receiver, thankfully. Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith will join Jordan Matthews on Philadelphia’s depth chart at receiver. Jeffery finished the season with a high 89 overall rating, Torrey Smith with a 78 overall rating, and Matthews with an 81 overall rating.

Also, the Philly defense started strong last season and definitely have potential. The Eagle defense ultimately fell off due to a lack of playmakers in the secondary. If you like to use the Eagles, then you know that their group of corners were perhaps the worst in last year’s game as their highest rated player was Nolan Carroll at a 76 overall. Not good.

Hopefully, the Eagles 2nd round pick CB Sidney Jones from Washington University can help bring that units ratings up just a little bit. Good news, though, is that they do have Malcolm Jenkins at SS with an 85 overall rating to go with Rodney McCleod Jr at FS who is an 81 overall. The two safeties can at least help you slow down high powered passing offenses in Madden 18. 

Regardless of the Eagles struggles in their secondary, Madden players are going to choose them. You’ll come across them mostly due to their potential on offense. If Carson Wentz can get off to good start, and boost his overall rating a few points, then you will see Philadelphia more and more as the season progresses. Factor it all together and the Philadelphia Eagles are near the top of possible sleeper teams in Madden 18.

Houston Texans

Houston is the only team on our list to have made the playoffs last season. That said, you still won’t see many Madden players using the Texans. The Texans have the worst QB ratings in the game. That’s hard to believe given the Browns current QB situation, but it’s true. Brock Osweiler disappointed you if you like rolling with the Texans as he finished the season with dismal 74 overall rating. 

There is hope as Houston drafted an extremely interesting QB in Deshaun Watson. Watson doesn’t have the throw power that Osweiler has, but he’ll have him beat in every other important ratings category–at least to start with. Watson will have the speedy Will Fuller IV and deadly Deandre Hopkins to throw to in Houston. Hopkins finished with a 91 overall, and he’s definitely on the list of top WR’s in Madden.  

Staying with the offense, Houston also has an underrated RB in Lamar Miller. Miller finished the season rated an 86 overall. The versatile Miller presents some problems for your opponents with his 93 speed, 95 agility, and 89 vision ratings. 

Keep in mind also that Houston’s D-line is more than capable of winning you some games all on their own. JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney alone put the Houston Texans in the category of possible sleeper teams in Madden 18.

That just about does it for our 5 sleeper teams in Madden 18. What do you think about our choices? Are there any teams you think we may have missed? Maybe San Francisco, or the seemingly forgotten about Indianapolis Colts made your list? Let us know what you think by sharing your thoughts in the comments section below.

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