EA Sports’ Madden franchise has the daunting task of ranking all NFL players and their attributes. While they have the ability to correct these rankings with in-season roster updates, there are some issues with the initial rankings of players. So, The Game Haus will be analyzing the most questionable ratings for players on every NFL team.
Here are the most questionable Madden 21 ratings for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ben Roethlisberger – 81
Anyone can probably assume that Roethlisberger’s rating is so low because he spent the 2019 season on the sidelines due to injury.
(Photo by John Kuntz, cleveland.com)
An 81 rating would make sense if we were only focused on injuries. However, the rating puts him at 15th in the league out of all quarterbacks. Roethlisberger has proven time and time again that he is easily one of the top ten quarterbacks in the league.
In 2018, Roethlisberger threw for 5,129 yards and 34 touchdowns, the most in a single season in his career. Even after that season, Roethlisberger was only given an 85 rating on Madden 20.
Aside from struggling with injuries, the veteran quarterback is statistically comparable to players like Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, who both received significantly higher ratings.
Adjusted Rating – 85
T.J. Watt – 86
Out of all the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Madden 21 ratings, this one seems particularly low. The ratings completely disregard the talent that fans, teammates and experts see in T.J. Watt.
The outside linebacker had a MVP-caliber season with 14.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and 36 quarterback hits. This is following a 2018 season in which Watt recorded 13.0 sacks and 50 solo tackles.
Watt finished third in the race for Defensive Player of the Year. Yet, somehow, he is not even rated in the top three at the linebacker position. Actually, he is only 13th among linebackers according to Madden 21.
For years now, Watt has proven that his capabilities make him one of the best defensive players in the league, and therefore deserving of a much higher rating on Madden 21.
Adjusted Rating – 90
Steven Nelson – 81
Despite the Steelers finishing the 2019 regular season 8-8, players like Nelson are still be underestimated.
Nelson was acquired by Pittsburgh during the 2019 offseason. The former Kansas City Chiefs cornerback was not talked about much during games in 2019. However, his numbers from last season show that he is up there with the best cornerbacks in the league.
Many experts have been comparing Nelson’s stats to those of Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year. Nelson allowed zero touchdowns in over 900 defensive snaps. Only Gilmore and Tre’Davious White can say the same.
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Nelson might not be the flashiest cornerback around, but he deserves more respect for having a high-caliber 2019 season.
Adjusted Rating – 84
Eric Ebron – 84
Although the former Indianapolis Colt has yet to play a season with the Steelers, this rating seems a bit too high. The 84 rating puts Ebron eight points above the Steelers’ next tight end, Vance McDonald.
Ebron’s 2019 season started out well, but was cut short when he decided to get surgery on an existing ankle injury.
In 2018, Ebron had a Pro Bowl year. He totaled 66 receptions for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Steelers’ decision to sign Ebron seems like a good one, especially in the eyes of Madden 21. However, with Roethlisberger having such a low rating, it seems questionable to have the tight end at a 84. We also have yet to see whether or not his return from injury will be successful.
Adjusted Rating – 82
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