Following the end of the season, the Ravens redesigned their offensive strategy, centering it around Jackson’s skill set. Throughout the season into the next, Jackson set even more records, including being the youngest starting quarterback in a playoff game. In his debut game as an NFL starting quarterback, Jackson rushed 117 yards, setting a franchise record for the Ravens. Serving as relief for starting quarterback Joe Flacco, Jackson eventually moved to the starting position once Flacco was injured. Lamar Jackson started his NFL career in 2018, selected as the 32nd pick of the first round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Madden NFL 21Ĭover athlete: Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens) The road to the cover
Rob Gronkowski has had a career full of injuries, so his inconsistent playtime is something Brady is used to. Meanwhile, in Tampa Bay, Brady’s favorite weapon has been dealing with a rib injury since week 3. While physical injuries haven’t plagued the Chief’s superstar, his reputation as a magic-maker has taken a hit. Mahomes (as of week 10) has the third-most interceptions in the league behind Joe Burrow and Sam Darnold. In the 2021/22 season, Kansas City has (so far) looked like a shell of their former selves. Injuries to the Chief’s offensive line allowed Tampa Bay’s pass rush to have a field day against Mahomes.
It was here that, perhaps, the Madden NFL 20 curse finally bit Patrick Mahomes. Their meeting in Super Bowl 55 culminated in Brady throwing three touchdown passes while Mahomes ran for his life in the backfield. Both made their way onto the cover, but both are having very different seasons in 2022. Meanwhile, Mahomes proved that nobody could keep up with the 2020/21 Chief’s offensive firepower. Brady proved he wasn’t just a system quarterback as he led the Tamp Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl win over Mahomes’ Chiefs. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes is routinely inserted into the G.O.A.T conversation, often referred to as the “mini-goat.” There is no superstar combo more deserving of a shared Madden cover than Brady/Mahomes. Madden NFL 22Ĭover athletes: Tom Brady (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Patrick Mahomes II (Kansas City Chiefs) The road to the coverīrady’s record-setting career speaks for itself. Instead, he was bitten with the Season MVP curse, an award that cost him Super Bowl wins against the Giants during the 07/08 season and the Eagles during the 2017/18 season. Tom Brady appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 18, The Goat Edition. However, Madden NFL 22 is the first game to feature two cover players who’ve been previously featured on Madden covers. Madden NFL 22 marks the first time since Madden NFL 10 that two players shared the cover. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes survived his first cover appearance in Madden NFL 20, but things haven’t looked too bright in the 2021/22 season.
Lamar Jackson seemingly passed the test, but the injury bug has plagued the Ravens backfield a season later in the form of season-ending injuries to all their running backs. Madden NFL 21gave us another chance to test the curse. Fitbit Versa 3ĮA Sports continues to dismiss any serious talk of a curse hovering over its wildly successful franchise and attributed the rash of injuries and other negative, post-cover issues to an athlete’s natural regression after a season of peak performance.