Vikings Get More Love in Madden 23
Ted Schwerzler
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Although the Minnesota Vikings are nothing short of providing fans a cardiac arrest on a weekly basis, they’ve jumped out to a 10-2 record through 13 weeks. With a spot in the playoffs and the division title on the table this weekend, there’s no sugar coating that this team has talent.
Through the weekly updates, Madden 23 has started to take notice, and the Vikings get more love in the popular video game this week. While we’re still waiting on substantial movement for a few key players, there have been incremental jumps over the past week for several Vikings contributors.
Offense
Standout tackle Brian O’Neill continues to rise the ranks as one of the best bookends in the NFL. He was given a slight awareness boost that bumped his overall to 86. That sits even with wide receiver Adam Thielen for Minnesota. More importantly, O’Neill is creeping into elite tackle territory for the game.
Because of the abilities O’Neill has provided on the line, his quarterback also benefits. Kirk Cousins gets a big four-point boost to his awareness rating and now sits at 83 overall.
It’s fair to suggest that 2022 hasn’t been the season throwing the ball that Cousins had last year. However, he continues to hold his own and orchestrate a very good offense. His late comebacks and game-winning drives have shown an ability to perform in the face of pressure. That has been something he’s been scrutinized for over the duration of his Vikings and NFL career.
Cam Bynum
After a big game last week, sealing the victory with an interception and nearly having one earlier, Cam Bynum also gets a boost. Jumps in his awareness and catch ratings take him to a respectable 73 overall.
The Vikings safety probably doesn’t get the due he is deserved but playing alongside Harrison Smith has no doubt helped to elevate his production in real life. With rookie Lewis Cine out for the year, Bynum has continued to hold down the starting role, and performed admirably most of the time.
Special Teams
It’s been a very up-and-down season for Greg Joseph, but that’s beyond expected for anyone kicking in purple. Going 5-for-5 on kicks against the Jets last week did earn him a small boost in accuracy, and that was enough to raise his overall rating back to 70.
It is somewhat surprising that rookie punter Ryan Wright hasn’t jumped up more than his 73 overall rating, but he’s inching close with a kick power now set at 94.
There are a few other small movers for Minnesota this week, and while Blake Brandel is still the 4th lowest rated Vikings player in Madden 23, a four-point boost brings him to a usable backup tally of 61 overall. We need to see Justin Jefferson hit the 99 club this year, and while he remains three rating points away, there’s plenty of time for him to pop off.
Watching how Madden evaluates on field performance continues to be an interesting endeavor.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.
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