Madden NFL 26 predicts 2025 season: Falcons, Super Bowl champs? Move rusher with 31 sacks? Let’s get wild

The NFL common season might not kick off for just a few weeks, however right here at Yahoo Sports we’re already in full-on soccer mode. For the eighth 12 months in a row, we’re working our simulated season, with Charles McDonald and Anthony Sulla-Heffinger reprising their roles as Madden Maestros.

Usually, the outcomes are a blended bag, with final 12 months’s simulations completely nailing Jared Verse profitable Defensive Rookie of the Year and the Titans securing the No. 1 decide with a jarringly correct 3-14 report. We’ll choose to go away it at that and never point out the Dak Prescott MVP or Ravens Super Bowl title that was predicted in each of our simulations.

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If you have been with us for some time, you recognize the principles. If not, this is a refresher: McDonald and Sulla-Heffinger every ran a full simulated season in Madden NFL 26, pulling out key takeaways and Senior NFL Editor Joey Gulino deciding which consequence is extra seemingly.

Super Bowl:

Sulla-Heffinger: For the second 12 months in a row, my Madden sim has the 49ers within the Super Bowl. After final 12 months’s sim predicted a loss to the Ravens, this 12 months Kyle Shanahan lastly will get over the hump and hoists the Lombardi Trophy, even exorcising his Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid demons with a 35-30 win over the Chiefs. Brock Purdy was the standout performer on the 49ers’ aspect, throwing for 4 TDs and completely outplaying Mahomes. Christian McCaffrey added 102 yards and a rating on the bottom whereas Isiah Pacheco discovered pay filth thrice. Naturally, Ji’Ayir Brown was named Super Bowl MVP, selecting off what we’ve to imagine was an important Mahomes move.

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McDonald: Somehow, the Falcons, as a No. 6 seed, went on the street and dominated their solution to a Super Bowl victory over the No. 4 seed Texans. Atlanta went on the street to Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and San Francisco earlier than their Super Bowl victory, following an extremely sturdy efficiency from Michael Penix Jr. — who had a breakout season throwing for 38 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his first season as a starter, whereas ending third within the MVP race. The Falcons protection was center of the pack, however their elite offense kicked into overdrive they usually have been in a position to rating factors in bunches en path to a 31-24 victory over Houston, that includes Ray-Ray McCloud as an unlikely Super Bowl MVP.

More prone to occur: Charles swears his sim wasn’t simply fanfic from his personal head, besides we’ll go along with the 49ers profitable all of it

MVP

McDonald: Josh Allen gained his second straight MVP on the Madden sim, main the Bills to a 10-7 report. Allen threw for 4,074 yards, 44 touchdowns with solely 5 interceptions and he boasted a 72% completion charge. He additionally chipped in 417 yards and 6 touchdowns on the bottom for a clear 50 whole touchdowns on the 12 months. Unfortunately, his 12 months got here to an finish within the wild-card spherical on the hand of the Super Bowl runner-up Texans.

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Sulla-Heffinger: Fair or not, the NFL MVP dialogue has mainly grow to be equal elements “which QB played the best?” and “whose turn is it?” In my sim, Bengals QB Joe Burrow gained the award — justifiably — by main the league with 5,152 passing yards and 43 TDs towards simply 5 interceptions. Burrow added 493 yards on the bottom and two extra scores, main Cincinnati again to the playoffs because the No. 5 seed. Burrow led the NFL in each passing yards and TDs final 12 months however didn’t take dwelling the award, ending fourth behind Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Saquon Barkley, however Madden clearly thinks he’ll break by that barrier this 12 months.

More prone to occur: Burrow, whose Herculean efforts to maintain the Bengals aggressive (see OPOY under) will probably be rewarded this season

Offensive Player of the Year

Sulla-Heffinger: Puka Nacua was an absolute power for the Rams in my simulation. Nacua, in his third 12 months, took dwelling the triple crown with 115 receptions, 1,713 yards and 20 TDs. This was the second 12 months in a row my Madden sim predicted a large receiver to win OPOY.

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McDonald: Chase did what he does finest all season: torch defenses by the air. Chase caught 107 passes for 1,632 yards and 18 touchdowns (shockingly, solely the touchdowns could be a real-life profession excessive!). He led a receiving core that featured one other 1,000 yard receiver in Tee Higgins, 983 yards from free agent signing Amari Cooper and 826 yards from Mike Gesicki. (The Bengals protection was so unhealthy they someway missed the playoffs with all this and went 7-9-1.)

More prone to occur: Chase, as a result of Matthew Stafford’s potential again points might restrict Nacua’s manufacturing

Defensive Player of the Year

McDonald: I’ve by no means seen this in a Madden season the place each sport was simulated: Somehow, Jaguars move rusher Josh Hines-Allen was in a position to rack up an unreal 31-SACK SEASON and cleaned up on this award. For reference, Myles Garrett had the subsequent most sacks with 19.5. After a quiet begin to the season with zero sacks in Week 1, Allen had 13 sacks by Week 6 and completed with ELEVEN video games with two or extra sacks. He ought to retire and simply take his gold jacket now.

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Sulla-Heffinger: Since 2019, T.J. Watt has performed not less than 15 video games in six of seven seasons. In every of these he has completed prime 5 in DPOY voting, profitable the award as soon as. (Steelers followers might or might not need to speak about 2023’s outcomes.) In my simulation, Watt took dwelling the award by main the NFL with 20.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. He additionally added two blocked kicks en path to his second profession defensive crown.

More prone to occur: Josh Hines-Allen’s 31 sacks are so gloriously ridiculous we’re gonna go along with that

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Sulla-Heffinger: Considering Ashton Jeanty is the favorite to win this award at BetMGM (+260), Madden is taking part in it protected with this decide. Jeanty completed with 1,298 speeding yards (sixth within the NFL) and 9 touchdowns. Factoring in his comparatively gentle impression within the passing sport (233 yards, three TDs) will get him over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 12 whole TDs, making him one in all most impactful rookies in my simulation. We’ll circle again to the Raiders in a little bit bit.

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McDonald: It was a reasonably quiet 12 months on the rookie entrance, with Bears rookie extensive receiver Luther Burden III profitable the award with 801 yards and 10 touchdowns. The landing quantity is spectacular, however that’s a reasonably low variety of yards for these awards. For no matter it’s value, Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders actually struggled with 11 touchdowns to 14 interceptions whereas Cam Ward put collectively a strong season with 3,409 yards, 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

More prone to occur: Jeanty, simple peasy

Defensive Rookie of the Year

McDonald: Jalon Walker had a breakout rookie season for the Super Bowl-winning Falcons with 14 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He additionally included two extra sacks within the Super Bowl and was an enormous cause for the Falcons’ truly being a league-average protection.

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Sulla-Heffinger: 49ers linebacker Nick Martin was the winner for me right here. Martin completed with 121 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, seven move deflections and eight tackles for loss, placing collectively an entire defensive efficiency. If this involves move, Martin may very well be in line to grow to be the subsequent nice 49ers linebacker.

More prone to occur: Walker, as a result of any individual has to work out as a move rusher for the Falcons finally, proper?

Coach of the Year

Sulla-Heffinger: Pete Carroll, who turns 74 throughout the season, orchestrated a outstanding turnaround in Las Vegas in my simulation, incomes him his first Coach of the Year award. We’re nonetheless not accomplished with the Raiders.

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McDonald: Mike McDaniel was in a position to silence the haters and doubters with a bounceback 13-4 season from his Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins had the No. 2 offense when it comes to factors per sport at 27.6, solely behind Buffalo’s 27.9. While the Dolphins clinched the first-round bye for the AFC, their playoff run got here to a swift finish by the hands of the No. 4 seed Houston Texans — who have been additionally in a position to bounce Josh Allen and the Bills out within the first spherical.

More prone to occur: Carroll. More on them in Surprise Team

No. 1 decide/Worst report

Sulla-Heffinger: Just End The Season. New York followers instantly know what I’m referring to with these 4 phrases. The Jets completed tied with the Arizona Cardinals at 5-12, however earned the No. 1 total decide within the 2026 NFL Draft by tiebreaker. After bringing in head coach Aaron Glenn from Detroit, the Jets had the league’s worst protection, giving up 444 factors and disappointing everybody within the digital stands, together with Fireman Ed. It’s value noting that the Cardinals have been one in all two groups to fireside their head coach after the season, so not less than the Jets have continuity on their aspect in that division.

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McDonald: The Saints had a season that many individuals are predicting for them, solely profitable three video games and ending with the worst report within the league. Spencer Rattler began all 17 video games, however solely managed to throw for 159.4 yards per sport because the Saints have been solely in a position to muster 14.7 factors per sport. Tyler Shough was unable to push Rattler and now it appears to be like just like the Saints will probably be taking a quarterback first total.

More prone to occur: Saints, as a result of we consider in Aaron Glenn

Surprise group

McDonald: Tampa Bay completed 12-5 and held the No. 1 seed within the NFC, which is pretty stunning. The Bucs’ season ended with a house playoff loss to the Falcons within the divisional spherical, however they’d an unbelievable season from their protection to get that far. They had one of the best protection within the league, permitting solely 187 passing yards per sport and permitting 16 factors per sport. Vita Vea had a ten sack season, YaYa Diaby broke out with 12.5 sacks and Haason Reddick got here again to life with a whopping 17.5 sacks for the 12 months.

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Sulla-Heffinger: Jeanty gained OROY, Carroll gained COTY and the Raiders gained the AFC West with a 13-4 report, tied with the Ravens for one of the best within the AFC and total second-best in the whole NFL. In his first 12 months with Las Vegas, Geno Smith turned in a predictable season (3,272 yards, 24 TDs, 9 INTs, 68%) and Maxx Crosby did his typical, racking up 17.5 sacks and being an absolute wrecker on the defensive position. Beyond Jeanty, rookie CB Darien Porter was tied for the league lead with 4 interceptions. Las Vegas was the No. 2 seed coming into the postseason however misplaced to the Steelers within the wild-card spherical. Still, it will be a outstanding turnaround for a franchise that hadn’t had a profitable report since 2021 or gained its division since 2002.

More prone to occur: Rrraaaaiiidddeeerrrsss

Biggest disappointment

Sulla-Heffinger: I’m going with a tie right here. Both the defending champion Eagles and perennial AFC contending Bills completed 7-10 and out of the playoffs. For Philadelphia, the reason being quite simple: Saquon Barkley received damage. Barkley, the quilt star of Madden NFL 26, performed simply two video games, speeding for 188 yards on 22 makes an attempt. Philadelphia’s offense hinges on Barkley’s well being, so if that have been to occur in actual life it will seemingly be equally catastrophic. For the Bills, there have been no obvious accidents and Josh Allen, regardless of not reaching his 2024 MVP heights, did end with greater than 4,300 whole yards and 38 whole TDs (28 move, 10 rush). Buffalo’s protection was third-worst within the league, nonetheless, permitting 416 factors.

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McDonald: There have been a pair groups to select from right here, together with the Eagles who scraped by to a 9-8 report, however nobody had a extra dastardly season in comparison with expectations than the Bears on this sim. They completed 4-12-1 (their tie got here towards Cincinnati) and the Bears protection simply fell off an absolute cliff of their first 12 months beneath Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen. Caleb Williams truly had a strong sophomore season, finishing 68% of his passes and throwing for 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. However, it wasn’t sufficient to beat one of many worst defenses within the league that allowed roughly 26 factors per sport.

More prone to occur: Sorry, Bears followers. We do not essentially consider Chicago will disappoint beneath Ben Johnson, however *gestures at Bears for many of Super Bowl period*