Bears Blitz

Madden 13: Julius Peppers and Top 10 Rated Defensive Players on Game

Published by Brian Mazique on August 20, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Julius Peppers will again anchor the Chicago Bears defensive line—in real life and on Madden 13. EA Sports released this video highlighting the 10 most highly-rated defensive players in this year’s game, and Peppers is one of them.

He is the only Chicago Bears player in the top 10, but the Bears should still be a solid defensive unit in the game.

The San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens are the only two teams with two players in the top 10. But the ‘Niners D takes it to the next step with two in the top five. The brothers Harbaugh will again have the nastiest defenses on the game at their disposal.

Check out the video for your own viewing pleasure, but here is a list of the top 10 defensive players, my two-cents and their ratings:

1. Darrelle Revis, New York Jets—99 overall

Revis is certainly the game’s top cover corner, but I’m not sure he should be a 99 overall. Just because he’s the game’s best corner doesn’t mean he should be maxed-out with a 99.

2. DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys—99 overall

Ware is obviously a premier pass-rusher, but a max-out in overall is a bit much for him too, in my opinion.

3. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers—98 overall

No disagreement from me here. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t have batted an eye if he was a 99.

4. Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings—98 overall

Allen deserved the 99 in my opinion. I know it’s just one point, but the 99 is like a status symbol. For Allen to do what he did last season (22 sacks and four forced fumbles for a horrible team), he deserved the maximum overall rating.

5. Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers—98 overall

Smith is definitely one of the most—if not the most—complete defensive ends in the NFL. It’s hard to argue this hefty rating.

6. Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears—97 overall

I have no problems with this rating. Peppers is the most destructive force on the Bears defense. He makes everyone else on the field better.

7. Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens—97 overall

Ngata is a beast and is one of two Ravens in the top 10. He is a very balanced run-stuffer and pass-rusher.

8. Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers—97 overall

He is one of my favorite players to control in Madden. He flies around the field, and he hits like a ton of bricks.

9. Ed Reed, Baltimore Ravens—97 overall

I love Reed, but this may be a bit too high at this stage of his career. His awareness should definitely be a 99, and he should have a high catch and spectacular-catch rating, but I wonder about this one.

10. Mario Williams, Buffalo Bills—97 overall

Williams slides in at No. 10. We’ll see if he can be the same force in Buffalo that he was in Houston. He could challenge Allen for the NFL sacks lead.

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