Madden 23, and the NFL on the whole, is probably the most aggressive it’s been in a very long time. Neither convention has a transparent front-runner, and most divisions are evenly matched. That stated, there are nonetheless some groups which can be clearly higher geared up than others. For instance, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ought to mop the ground with the New York Jets 10 instances out of 10.
With most groups in Madden 23 hovering within the mid-to-high 80s, deciding that are greatest may be tough. Some gamers take the sting over others. Some items are constructed to run, whereas others are made to move. Players have a number of playstyle choices to decide on between pocket passers, scrambling QBs, bruising RBs, and hard-hitting defenders. So, in our opinion, listed here are the very best groups in Madden 23.

L.A. Rams (88 OVR)

It’s solely truthful to kick issues off with the defending Super Bowl Champions when discussing the very best groups in Madden 23. Matthew Stafford and Odell Beckham Jr. discovered a welcome dwelling within the City of Angels and hoisted the Lombardi trophy with the assistance of Sean McVay’s genius offensive playstyle. Cooper Kupp made mince meat of each CB within the league, whereas Aaron Donald made opposing QBs tremble of their cleats.
The Ram’s offensive playbook retains issues fairly easy relating to formations. There are solely 5, and also you’ll solely ever use two of them: Singleback and Gun. Within these formations, you may have 28 completely different alignments (14 in every) to present selection to your playcalling. If you’re somebody who likes to line up in Shotgun all recreation, Sean McVay’s playbook may be calling your identify.
Things are completely different on the defensive facet of the ball. The Rams can line up in all three run-stopping formations (3-4, 4-3, and 4-4) together with Nickel, Dime, and Quarter to cease the move. The 3-3-5 defensive meta from Madden 21 and Madden 22 has been changed by 3-3 Cub, which is obtainable in The Rams’ defensive playbook.
As for personnel, the Rams have 4 gamers with X-Factor skills. Aaron Donald’s Blitz skill is ideal for speeding the QB because it depletes the resistance bars of on-field defenders. Jalen Ramsey can go toe to toe with the very best WRs within the recreation together with his Bottleneck skill, urgent them on the line and throwing them off their routes. Cooper Kupp will win all 1v1 RAC catches when he’s within the zone, and Bobby Wagner can pressure fumbles when he connects with a downhill hit stick.
Matthew Stafford isn’t a foul QB to have beneath heart, both. Even although he doesn’t have an X-Factor skill, his passive expertise make him an elite deep passer.
Cincinnati Bengals (85 OVR)

Where there’s a Super Bowl winner, there have to be a Super Bowl loser. Joe “Joey Cool” Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals put the AFC on discover after being the convention laughingstock for a few years. They’re now not Tom Brady’s revenge workforce (“We’re onto Cincinnati”) and must be a pressure to reckon with if Joey Cool and Ja’Marr Chase keep wholesome.
The Bengal’s offensive playbook isn’t overly difficult to study, both. You’ll have a strong mixture of run and move performs, together with 18 RPOs (largely RPO Peek performs). While within the Gun, you’ll have three completely different unfold offensive formations (empty backfield) to run. Bunch Quads offers you all the advantages of Bunch whereas maintaining your RB cut up broad to occupy the flat defender. However, you possibly can’t transfer that RB into the backfield with out altering the formation.
The Bengals’ protection can come out within the 46 formation, which is supposed to plug the gaps and shut down the run. Their Nickel packages will all the time rush 4 defensive linemen, permitting you to play the run and move on the identical time. However, having quicker LBs on the DE place may give you higher move protection. Their Dollar formation comes with distinctive blitzes, permitting you to ship fast stress whereas protecting the center of the sector.
Joe Burrow is the one Bengal with an X-Factor, however don’t let that dissuade you from utilizing the Super Bowl runner-ups this 12 months. Run and Gun grants Burrow excellent passing whereas on the run. You can consider Burrow as a standard QB who can scramble if he desires to. Call a designed rollout play to burn them with one thing deep when your opponent will get comfy with Burrow standing within the pocket.
While he’s within the pocket, his Fearless passive makes him resistant to defensive stress. Pass rush is ruthless in Madden 23. With defenders in his face all recreation, Joe Burrow will do what he does greatest: preserve his cool.
Meanwhile, Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase can have defenders chasing him all around the discipline whereas Joe Mixon vans and stiff-arms his technique to first downs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (90 OVR)

Tom Brady retired, then he unretired, then he disappeared, and now he’s coming again. Little has modified in Tampa, and whereas Kyle Rudolf isn’t any Rob Gronkowski, he’ll be a welcomed weapon for Brady and firm. Even although they’re the highest-rated workforce in Madden 23, we couldn’t name Tampa Bay the “best.” Brady could also be stellar within the pocket, however he nonetheless runs like a Clydesdale.
Like the Rams, the Bucs run every thing out of Singleback and Gun formations. You’ll nonetheless have loads of strategic choices inside these formations, particularly because the Bucs pleasure themselves on proficient TE duos (like Tom’s Patriot groups of previous).
For instance, Singleback Ace places Cameron Brate and Kyle Rudolf on both facet of the road to dam within the run recreation or catch passes. Don’t hassle having them move shield, as most TEs in Madden 23 can’t block to avoid wasting their pores and skin. No matter the play, Brady can sizzling route into flood ideas, including an additional layer to each offensive formation.
The Bucs’ defensive scheme has all the very best Nickel formations within the recreation, together with 3-3 Cub, 2-4 DBL Mug, and 2-4-5 Odd. The latter two are nice for faking your opponent with blitzes, whereas the previous spreads your protection in move safety. Just watch out in 3-3 Cub — the one LB isn’t nice at stopping inside runs. Remember, in most defensive packages, you possibly can all the time sub an SS on the MLB place for added pace. However, that leaves you much more weak within the working recreation.
The Bucs have three X-Factor gamers: Brady, Mike Evans, and Lavonte David. As if Brady didn’t want any extra assist, his Pro Reads skill highlights the primary open receiver and ignores all move rush stress. Meanwhile, he sports activities the very best QB passive skill in Madden 23, Hot Route Master, permitting Brady to name 4 different sizzling routes on the line of scrimmage, together with posts, corners, and stop-and-go routes. Regarding base QBs in Madden 23, Brady is the one one with Hot Route Master.
Lavonte David’s Run Stuffer X-Factor makes him more practical within the run recreation, whereas Mike Evans will all the time win aggressive catches in 1v1 protection. Coupled together with his Red Zone Threat passive, a sizzling Mike Evans may be probably the most harmful WR within the RedZone in Madden 23. Mega-stars apart, The Bucs virtually have passive famous person skills at each significant place.
Kansas City Chiefs (86 OVR)

Patrick Mahomes and the Chief’s redefined leisure over the previous few seasons. Nobody throws a no-look move like Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce formally grew to become the very best TE within the recreation after Gronk retired (once more). Even with out Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs have sufficient residual firepower to place up a combat in a highly-competitive AFC West. They’ll must, particularly now that Russel Wilson’s come to rescue the Denver Broncos.
On offense, the Chiefs are a strong passing and RPO workforce. Out of the Gun Deuce Close formation, the play RPO Read Flat Wheel offers you the long-lasting shovel move play to Kelce when he runs behind the road and catches somewhat underhand toss. Unfortunately, there are solely eight Play Action Passes (PA Passes) within the playbook, they usually’re all mainly the identical play. You commit your self to the passing recreation when taking part in Kansas City.
You’ll get the Big Nickel Over G formation on protection, offering first rate run assist whereas maintaining 5 speedy corners on the sector. Meanwhile, the Dollar Normal formation retains seven DBs on the sector, in the end forgoing a move rush to blanket the turf in protection.
The Chiefs have Mahomes and Kelce to hold their offense. Meanwhile, Chris Jones can knock offensive opponents out of the zone together with his Momentum Shift X-Factor. They say to by no means throw throughout your physique, however Mahomes is the one particular person allowed to interrupt that rule. His No-Look Deadeye grants him 20 yards of excellent throw accuracy on cross-body throws, which means he can hit 20-yard crossers heading left whereas he’s working proper.
Travis Kelce shall be each Chiefs fan’s favourite goal. Like Mike Evans, he’ll win aggressive 1v1 catches whereas within the zone. He additionally has 4 further sizzling routes when lined up at TE and may hurdle over defenders with out fumbling.
Green Bay Packers (88 OVR)

Aaron Rodgers continues to be among the many prime quarterbacks within the NFL. Unfortunately, he’ll should discover a new favourite goal now that Davante Adams is catching passes from Derrek Carr in Las Vegas. He’ll have a number of teammates to lean on, together with Jaire Alexander within the defensive backfield and David Bakhtiari watching his blind spot at LT.
Green Bay’s offensive playbook options everybody’s favourite formation from Madden 22, the dreaded Bunch TE. Bunch TE will get the CPU to return out in heavier packages. Sub Sammy Watkins on the slot place (both manually or by choosing the Slot WR bundle from the Play name menu), and also you’ll get a 91-speed receiver working throughout the sector. As lengthy as you place Robert Tonyan (the TE) on a streak, Watkins ought to get open on his crosser. It’s not excellent, however it works more often than not.
On protection, Green Bay’s 3-4 Bear formation offers you an fascinating means of hiding Cover 2 whereas maintaining a run-stopping bundle on the sector. The play is named 2 Invert Hard Flat and reveals a single-high security, the telltale signal of single-high man or Cover 3. Your opponent would possibly audible right into a Cover 3 beater after which make an errant throw after they understand what’s taking place.
Once Rodgers will get within the zone, there’s virtually no stopping him. His Dots X-Factor skill grants him excellent move accuracy on each throw, whereas his Gunslinger passive grants him quicker passing pace. Coupled with Pass Lead Elite, Rodgers can hit and lead a receiver the second they get open. On the opposite facet of the ball, Jaire Alexander and his Shutdown X-Factor will erase one other workforce’s greatest WR.
Tennessee Titans (82 OVR)

Derrick Henry is the Tennessee Titans. Even although they’re an 82 OVR, Henry can singlehandedly beat any workforce he performs. But let’s not discredit the remainder of the group. Ryan Tannehill is a good quarterback. He’s no Tom Brady or Joe Burrow, however he can nonetheless do his job. Meanwhile, the Titan’s protection isn’t any joke with Kevin Byard at FS and Jeffery Simmons on the line of defense.
On offense, the Titans have one in all our favourite formation combos from Madden 22. Out of the Strong formation, you possibly can swap between Y Off and Close to leverage a ton of protection beaters. Swapping between these formations can be fairly fast, as your outdoors receivers will cut up broad or shut in tight. You can shortly again up into Gun Split Twins for those who really feel a blitz coming.
Don’t be tempted by the Wildcat formation to get direct snaps to Derrick Henry. When the protection picks a play, they’ll see you’re lining up in Wildcat and simply name a run-stuffing play. You can also’t audible out of Wildcat, so that you’re caught working no matter play you referred to as.
The Titan’s defensive playbook consists of a mixture of run and pass-stopping performs. 3-4 Under places 5 defenders on the road of scrimmage, permitting you to combine up your blitzes to maintain your opponent guessing. You’re additionally getting Nickel 3-3 Cub and Dollar 3-2 Mug from Coach Vrabel’s playbook.
Derrick Henry’s Freight Train X-Factor will increase his probabilities of breaking the subsequent sort out try. We’ve discovered that this performs in another way than it reads on the sector. While within the zone, Henry will break the primary sort out try on any play. So, when working a stretch play on the purpose line, don’t hesitate to run farther outdoors with Henry. If he’s obtained one man to beat, simply run by him. Perhaps Henry’s stats and passive skills enhance his break sort out RNGs so drastically. But hey, we’re not complaining.
Buffalo Bills (89 OVR)

Move over New England; there’s a brand new juggernaut within the AFC East. With Brady gone and Mac Jones in his second 12 months, the longer term appears brilliant for Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. They had been a coin flip away from the AFC Championship recreation in 2021, and their deadly secondary may have saved a brief leash on Matthew Stafford and the Rams within the Super Bowl (assuming they beat Joey Cool).
The Bills’ offensive playbook has top-of-the-line RPOs within the recreation. Out of the Pistol Open Flex Close formation, the play RPO Read Flat Wheel will get somebody open 70-plus p.c of the time. We ran this play repeatedly towards random Nickel defenses and obtained a primary down or landing seven out of 10 instances. Don’t ever hand it off or run with Allen; simply await Davis to get open on his wheel route or Knox to get open within the flat. Because Allen begins working by default, the protection performs the QB run. You may flip the play to place Diggs on the wheel route.
The Bills’ defensive playbook retains issues easy. 4-3 Under crowds the road of scrimmage with 4 down linemen and an LB, and also you’re nonetheless getting the very best Nickel formations with 2-4 DBL Mug and 3-3 Cub. The Dime Normal rushes 4 on each play, so that you don’t completely negate your move rush everytime you come out in Dime (six DBs on the sector).
The Bills have 4 X-Factor gamers: Diggs, Allen, Tre’Davious White, and Von Miller. Allen to Diggs may be the brand new Brady to Moss this 12 months, given Allen’s Bazooka and Diggs’ RAC ’Em Up X-Factors. Meanwhile, White, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer will preserve guys like Mike Evans, Tyreek Hill, and Ja’Marr Chase beneath management. Von Miller’s Fearmonger skill will pressure inaccurate throws, even when engaged with a blocker. And a awful throw into that secondary is certain to finish in catastrophe.
Baltimore Ravens (87)

Lamar Jackson redefined the phrase Madden Rage since his NFL debut in 2018. Ever since, gamers have been rolling out and gauging defenses for large yards, rivaled solely by the Michael Vick days of previous. But Lamar has extra weapons than his ft. He’s nonetheless a top-tier quarterback with a proficient TE and speedy WRs. What else may he need apart from a wholesome backfield?
The Play Action Passing recreation is your greatest buddy when utilizing Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Once you combine in sufficient RPOs and browse possibility performs, these rollout (Bootleg) PA Passes will create huge holes for Lamar or straightforward passing lanes to hit receivers downfield. Plays like PA Boot Slide (and all its variants between formations) work wonders. Don’t get too comfy, although. Madden 23 made a degree to finish the scrambling QB meta.
Defensively, the Ravens have 5 Nickel Packages, together with 3-3 Cub and 3-3 Odd. Nickel Triple is sweet for complicated opposing QBs relating to who’s speeding as a number of LBs crowd the road after which drop again into protection relying on the play. You may sizzling route these LBs to blitz another person when you management somebody in protection.
Lamar’s Truzz X-Factor prevents him from fumbling whereas within the zone. Otherwise, quarterbacks will fumble after most arduous tackles, even guys like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Since you’ll run with Jackson typically, get him within the zone earlier than taking up defenders within the open discipline. Meanwhile, Mark Andrews is a lethal TE vying for that “best in the league” moniker held by Travis Kelce. His Matchup Nightmare passive makes him particularly lethal towards LBs. Motion him inside to get the mismatches you want.

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