Madden NFL 09 Strategy Guide

This is the overall best conference because you have the “19-0” Patriots, the powerhouse Colts, flashy Chargers, power Steelers, up-and-coming Browns, and then a few other teams from the South not named the Texans. On any given Sunday these top teams could beat another in an AFC championship.

Key

Rating: offense + defense = overall** Key Weapons: best offensive options minus the QB; best defensive options for you to play Strength: best thing on this team Weakness: one thing far below the rest

**These will change, and I know they are not right, but teams will change  throughout the season, but at least you have some idea where a team ranks.
======== < AFC East >   ========

New England Patriots ——————–

Rating: 97 Key Weapons: Moss, Welker, Watson, Maroney; any LB, Harrison (SS) Strength: passing Weakness: secondary

Ah, the team that wears 18-1 t-shirts to work. The Pats are right up there as a top team based on talent alone. Brady and Moss will be legends of the game, and they have no flaws in their game. On top of that, Brady has Welker across from Moss and then Watson at TE. Combine that with the other WR’s and the  catching RB Faulk, you understand why this team can win games by playing the shotgun all game long.

Maroney isn’t a bad RB, he just can’t win a game for you. He’s good for short yards, draws, and screens, but he should be any player’s second option to  the passing game. He’ll see plenty to time late in games when you’re running out the clock.

The line is solid, and running a 3-4 they need to be. The linebackers are  old, not fast, but they can stop the run. So a solid line and strong LB’s, that means you’ll need to pass against the Pats. You have an old SS and  decent corners. Passing isn’t automatic, but it’s the only weak point in this defense’s armor.

New York Jets ————-

Rating: 76 Key Weapons: Coles & Cotchery, Jones; Harris (MLB), Rhodes (SS) Strength: no weaknesses Weakness: no strengths

I swear I made the strengths and weaknesses for all teams the day before the  Favre trade and this team had QB as a weakness. Favre doesn’t make them the New England Patriots in passing, but they have two good WR’s and an old legend at QB. The run game isn’t too bad with Jones and Washington, and that new line helps open up lanes. This team doesn’t have killer weapons on offense, but it’s good enough if used correctly.

Defense has a guy at each position who is solid, but not strong in any one  thing. If anything, the LB corps is very promising, and could be better as the  season rolls along. Defense isn’t a big negative, but the whole team is about average all around.
Buffalo Bills ————-

Rating: 82 Key Weapons: Evans, Lynch; Crowell (OLB), Whitner (SS) Strength: Marshawn Lynch Weakness: QB

Here is one of those up-and-coming teams that could be great down the road.  As for now, there is no QB. At least there is one good WR in Evans. Lynch is  your best weapon as he is the utili-back, capable of doing a little bit of  all the things RB’s can do.

The defense is actually pretty good. You got a few guys on the line, a couple of above-average LB’s, and then a solid secondary. Defense could be a bigger plus than the running game, but either way you know the Bills will make some  stops.
Miami Dolphins ————–

Rating: 67 Key Weapons: Brown; Porter (OLB) Strength: running Weakness: passing

At least there are a few good runners on this team, more than the Falcons have. Brown and Williams are both solid, with the nod going to Brown. Williams is  fast enough to maybe catch some passes for you. No receivers on this team,  so with no QB you’ll be using a lot of Brown on 1st and 2nd down.

The defense is average at best. Porter at LB is your best defender, but an  average line and only average CB’s. Believe it or not, this team is just a  tiny bit ahead of the Falcons, despite a 1-15 season.

========= < AFC North >   =========

Pittsburgh Steelers ——————-

Rating: 94 Key Weapons: Ward, Holmes, Parker, Miller; any LB, Polamalu (SS) Strength: defense Weakness: WR

Big Ben has the ability to run out of the pocket, which is more than either Anderson or Palmer in the next two teams can do. Unlike the next two teams, Ben has less weapons to throw to. Ward, Holmes, and Miller are good, solid options, but they aren’t gamebusters. Sure, you can move the ball with the pass, but it’s an area to improve. Fast Willie and the rookie RB provide a punishing run game.

The defense is pretty well-rounded. You have above-average corners, a great  safety, a solid LB corps, and a two great linemen. If anything, you could test those corners with better wide receivers.
Cleveland Browns —————-

Rating: 88 Key Weapons: Edwards, Winslow, Lewis Strength: passing Weakness: defense

The defense isn’t bad, but this team is certainly on the brink of having an  elite offense. Anchoring that offense is the surprise QB Derek Anderson. He’s a traditional pocket passer, but for it you have Winslow at TE and Edwards at WR, two of the best at those positions to pass to. Jamal Lewis is a power  runner, good for short yardage.

The defense has two good players on the line, but the LB’s and DB’s lack any real stars. They aren’t bad, but not great.

Cincinnati Bengals ——————

Rating: 80 Key Weapons: Johnson & TJ Strength: passing Weakness: defense

It should come as no surprise the Bengals and Browns hooked up last year for a 50+ point performance on both sides. Just like the Browns, these cats are strong in the pass, but weak on defense. The Bengals actually have a better QB in Palmer, and two superb wideouts in disgruntled Johnson and under- appreciated TJ Who’s-yo-momma. Palmer can sit in the pocket, wait for either of the two to streak up the field, and then let it fly. Both WR’s can catch almost anything.

Sadly, Rudi Johnson isn’t a blazing RB, but he can do good enough. Kenny Watson could possibly be better as the year goes on, but either way you know you got a good backup. The FB isn’t bad either. So the run game is solid at the least.

Where the Browns have an average defense, the Bengals are a step below that. A lesser line, LB corps, and secondary. At least they’re in the way of the  offense.
Baltimore Ravens —————-

Rating: 81 Key Weapons: McGahee, Mason, Heap; Lewis (MLB), Reed (FS) Strength: defense Weakness: offense

To fittingly, this team combats the better offenses in this division with the  best defense, one of the best on paper. You have two great ends, a great LB unit, two great corners, and then one of the best defenders in the game, Ed Reed at FS. It’s an older defense, but it won’t be easy to score in any way against the Ravens.

Oh yeah, there is an offense, somewhere. No QB, great RB, good TE, and at least one okay wideout. Trust me, anything you get out of the offense is a big win.  Remember, you can choose your own QB. Flacco, Boller, and Smith are all  about the same. Flacco is the rookie with a big arm; Boller is a solid backup to any other QB, but may be your best bet; and then Heisman winner Troy Smith offers more legs for ya.

========= < AFC South >   =========

Indianapolis Colts ——————

Rating: 95 Key Weapons: Wayne, Harrison, Addai, Clark; Brackett (MLB), either safety Strength: offense Weakness: running defense

A team on level with the Patriots, so it’s not surprising the two teams have  such a good rivalry going. Peyton can carve up any defense with stellar  wideout Wayne, veteran Harrison, slot guy Gonzalez, and TE Clark. On top of  the pass attack, you can hand the ball off to Addai, a borderline top-tier RB. Rhodes is back as a backup runner, a good RB on his own.

The secondary is great with the best defender Bob Sanders at FS, then you have Bethea at SS, and two above-average corners. The LB’s are average as a whole, and despite two great defensive ends, those two are great pass rushers. This  means you have your best bet running the ball against the Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars ——————–

Rating: 93 Key Weapons: Taylor & Drew; Peterson/Smith (LB), Nelson (FS) Strength: running Weakness: WR

Here your have one of the best running attacks in football. Fred Taylor offers you speed and power, while Jones-Drew offers speed and elusiveness. You could  play either one at any time, but Taylor has a slight edge over Pocket Hercules, Drew.

On top of the great run attack you have a pretty solid QB in Garrard and a  few good wideouts. You don’t have any great guys, but all of them are about  in the middle of the road, and Reggie Williams is pretty good.

The defense is very good. The only weak point is where the line where you  still have a great DT. Stellar LB’s in Peterson and Smith, and then you have  two good players in the secondary in Mathis and Nelson. It’s not an awesome defense, but it’s certainly above average.

Tennessee Titans —————-

Rating: 89 Key Weapons: Chris Johnson, White, Crumpler; Bulluck (OLB), either safety Strength: defense Weakness: WR

A team that stays in games on its defense. Vince Young is the top running QB in all of football. Sure, he can pass, but he has magic feet. Of course all defenses will know this, so you must plan on passing first, then run. Notice how I really haven’t talked about this QB’s weapons, it’s because he has  none except for old TE Crumpler. When your best wideout has average speed, time to rethink the pass attack.

Thankfully, this team is built on running. You have LenDale White, a very  solid RB who can get short yards. Then you have the rookie Chris Johnson who is possibly the fastest runner in the game, so don’t be afraid to see if he can turn a few corners for ya in HB Sub packages.

Of course a good d-line with two great players, an above-average LB corps, and then a solid secondary. Hope is a great player if you play SS, and then Bulluck is great for you linebacker players. This is a team hard to throw and pass on.
Houston Texans ————–

Rating: 78 Key Weapons: Johnson; Ryans (MLB) Strength: Andre Johnson Weakness: running

There isn’t much to this team, but this isn’t a bad team. Schaub has a few  good options to throw to in Davis, Walter, and Daniels. Let us not forget  Andre Johnson, a gamebusting wideout who is your main option. You will not win many games unless you’re throwing to this guy. The run game is average at the very best.

The d-line is very good with Okoye and Williams. You even have a good MLB, but sadly there are no big playmakers in the secondary.

======== < AFC West >   ========

San Diego Chargers ——————

Rating: 95 Key Weapons: LT, Chambers, Gates; Merriman/Phillips (OLB) Strength: LaDainian Tomlinson Weakness: WR

The AFC West is the Chargers and a bunch of used-to-be-good teams. The weakest point of the offense is the QB Rivers, and he cracks 90 overall. He’s a  traditional pocket passer, but he has good weapons in Chambers and Gates, and Gates is your best receiver. Heck, you could put him out at WR and he would still be elite.

Now for the good part, LT. Tomlinson is the best player in the game – on  offense for sure. Feel free to run goal line’s with LT and just cause major havoc. But everyone will load up for LT, so you’ll have to pass to open up his running lanes.

The defense is just as great as LT. When your weakest point is the safety position, you can do a lot more right than wrong. You have the two great d- linemen, two great LB’s, and two solid corners. Remember, this team uses a  3-4 defense, with only three linemen and 4 LB’s.
Denver Broncos ————–

Rating: 84 Key Weapons: Marshall; Williams (OLB) Strength: passing Weakness: running defense

Here is a team that is kinda hard to figure out. For one, they have one of the biggest QB arms in Cutler, and lucky for you EA has looked kindly upon Brandon Marshall and gave him a very nice rating. You also have an above average TE in Scheffler.

Secondly, the o-line is kinda weak, and worst the RB’s are all at par or less. Young is the best option, but the two backups aren’t too far off. The run game isn’t terrible, but you won’t win many games on these guys alone.

The defense could be an overall weakness, especially after the departure of  overrated SS John Lynch. That doesn’t help the weak d-line, average LB corps, and now weaker secondary. The two corners are your best defenders, and you have one good LB in D.J. Williams. With solid corners, you’re forcing the other teams to run on your weak line.

Oakland Raiders —————

Rating: 71 Key Weapons: Walker, McFadden; Morrison/Howard (LB), either safety Strength: defense Weakness: passing

Raider Nation finally can say with confidence, “We might have a good team.”  Promising QB Russell (no relation) can scramble and pass with his rocket arm, but he’s not accurate at the moment. Walker and Curry are average receivers, but at least you have something to throw to.

Most interesting is the run game with rookie McFadden and Justin Fargas. Both are about equal now, but it’s very possible McFadden will turn into a junior Adrian Peterson.

You got the standard two good d-linemen, two great LB’s, and then a very solid secondary. The secondary is the strongest with two above-average safeties and then two great corners. The Raiders have a defense, now it’s just a  question of whether the offense can score enough points.
Kansas City Chiefs ——————

Rating: 71 Key Weapons: Johnson, Bowe, Gonzalez; Johnson/Edwards (OLB) Strength: offense except QB Weakness: defense

Basically you have a good WR in Dwayne Bowe and a great RB in Larry Johnson. However, you have no QB, so good luck with that. Don’t forget about future HOF TE Tony Gonzalez.

This defense losing Jared Allen means it’s weaker than it already was. You have no d-line, so accept it. You actually have a good LB corps of guys I’ve never heard of but have good stats. You don’t have a secondary, so accept that too.