The 25 Greatest Madden Teams of All Time

When you pop in any Madden NFL title, you always go into the game with one, particular team in mind. Maybe it's the 2004 Atlanta Falcons. Or the Drew Brees-led 2011 New Orleans Saints. Whoever it may be, the fact is, every Madden gamer has that one team with which they've always felt completely unbeatable.

Since Madden NFL 25 is dropping next week, we decided to take a look at all those teams that could be considered as the "best ever." Who could forget the days when the Greatest Show on Turf was everyone's weapon of choice in Madden 2003? But were they better than any of the teams that Peyton Manning put out on the field during his days with the Indianapolis Colts? Click through and find out for yourself. Oh, but just so we're clear on one thing: having Peyton Hillis on the cover of Madden 12 didn't make the Cleveland Browns good enough to have a place on this list. We apologize to the Browns faithful, but no one player could ever save that team. That's just a fact.

RELATED: Preview: Everything You Can Expect From "Madden NFL 25"

RELATED: 25 Reasons Why Madden NFL Has Lasted 25 Years

RELATED: "Madden 13" Will Let Everyone Tebow

Notable players: Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Julian Peterson

Before LaDainian Tomlinson would break the record just a year later, Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander was the NFL record holder for most rushing TDs in a single season. Alexander was a powerful, explosive back with the ability to lay down a nasty stiff arm when necessary, and, in case you're wondering if that skill set carries over well in the Madden world, here's a little hint: it does. Alexander, along with passer Matt Hasselbeck, set the foundation for a Seahawks team that regularly contended for the top spot in the NFC throughout the mid-2000s. Their days running the show in Seattle might be over now, but their glory will always live on in Madden 07.

Notable players: Darrius Heyward-Bey, Darren McFadden, Nnamdi Asomugha

One of the most underrated aspects of any Madden team is its pure speed. Peel yourself away from the "Overall" ratings for a minute to dissect the finer details of a player, and you'll find that quickness and breakaway ability can be a huge difference-makers for a squad that's looking to score. With the Oakland Raiders, though, no analysis or tinkering was needed to get their fastest unit out on the field. With guys like running back Darren McFadden, or the blazing wide receiver, Darrius Heyward-Bey, it was easy to get these Raiders confused with the U.S. Olympic track team. Find a hole in the defense with one of them and then put on the Turbo. They're as good as gone.

Notable players: Frank Gore, Patrick Willis, Aldon Smith

Colin Kaepernick wasn't quite yet the beast in this Madden that he would become during the actual 2012-13 season, but even without his versatile talents on the field, players found that an imposing defense and a reliable rushing attack were enough to make San Francisco their primary option in 13. You really can't understate how intimidating this defense was, though. Navarro Bowman and Patrick Willis at the linebacker spots, Aldon and Justin Smith on the line, and then Carlos Rogers and Donte Whitner in the backfield? Good luck scoring against San Francisco here, much less gaining a first down.

Notable players: Antonio Freeman, Brett Favre, Donald Driver

IRL, Green Bay would have one its most disappointing seasons ever with Brett Favre at the helm during the 1999-00 season, as the team finished a middling 8-8. In the virtual world, though, the Packers were an absolute juggernaut. This was back when Brett Favre was in his gunslinging prime, unafraid to make any throw, no matter how far down the field it was. Favre-to-Freeman spelled out one thing for most Madden NFL 2000 gamers: touchdown.

Notable players: Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, LeSean McCoy

Michael Vick will probably never be able to lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl title but, back when he first joined the team, expectations were sky-high for the Eagles, as they boasted speedy role players like DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy, as well as All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel. For whatever reason, the actual product wasn't able to come through, but when you're the one directing everybody, things were be a little bit different. Vick still isn't a great passer in this version of Madden but, as we all know, that was never really the point with him. Flanked by Jackson and McCoy, Vick was the spearhead for an offense that loved to get in footraces with the D. Mainly because they'd almost always win.

Notable players: Emmett Smith, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin

Back in the '90s, Dallas had a Big Three that could rival any trio ever assembled in sports: Emmett Smith, Troy Aikman, and Michael Irvin. Three Hall of Fame talents, each one of the best ever in their respective positions. If there was an NFL version of NBA Jam these are the guys you would choose every single time. There were certainly other great players to recognize on this Cowboys team (we all remember Charles Haley, right?), but the offense was what defined this squad. They were a ready-made cheat code.

Notable players: Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Ndamukong Suh

Three words: Megatron. Megatron. Megatron. Okay, so that was more like one word, three times, but you get what we're saying, right? Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is the only guy you need on this team, as his once-in-generation talents and physical prowess create mismatches the likes of which the league has rarely seen. This isn't to say that Matthew Stafford, and the bruising defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh, don't help out, but with Megatron, you feel like you could field a team of scarecrows and a passing machine around him and he'd still come out on top.

Notable players: Daunte Culpepper, Randy Moss, Michael Bennett

Cover boys were always given an extra edge in their player ratings, and Daunte Culpepper was certainly no exception to that rule. With him under center, the Vikings had a mobile, deep-throwing QB who was also able to target one of the greatest deep-threat wide receivers of all time in Randy Moss. Add in a quick, versatile running back like Michael Bennett, and you had yourself an offense that was guaranteed to put points up on the board.

Notable players: Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith

You will fear Bruce Smith. And if you're not going to fear him, then we suggest you respect him. The Hall of Fame defensive end was a sack machine during his days with Buffalo and, even in its early forms, Madden developers took notice of his one-of-a-kind abilities to find the quarterback. With playmaking passer Jim Kelly, thundering running back Thurman Thomas, and the sure-handed wide receiver Andre Reed regularly taking it to the house, the Buffalo Bills were not a team that you wanted to mess with back in the day. That sound you just heard? It was the collective, nostalgic sigh of every Bills fan reading this post.

Notable players: Tony Romo, DeMarcus Ware, Felix Jones

Dallas has been a perennially disappointing team basically since Tony Romo was first handed the ball, and never is that fact more apparent than when you play as his Cowboys team in Madden 09. There's just so much potential on the field. You have the two-headed attack of Marion Barber III and Felix Jones. Then there's Roy Williams and Terence Newman shutting down opposing wide receivers. Or Marcus Spears and Chris Canty shredding would-be pass protection like tissue paper. Most of all, though, video game Romo doesn't have the ability to choke like his real-life counterpart. Gun it to Terrell Owens or Patrick Crayton, and you were automatically in business for an easy W.

Notable players: Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, LaDainian Tomlinson

The Chargers just couldn't not be unstoppable in Madden during the time when Philip Rives, Antonio Gates, and LaDainian Tomlinson formed a football-focused hydra, set on snapping oncoming defenses in half. Gates is one of the best pass-catching tight ends that football has ever seen, and when you've got him supported by guys like Vincent Jackson and Chris Chambers, that spells out a lot of trouble for any cornerbacks trying to figure out which player to cover. Oh, and let's not forget to mention their lightning-in-a-bottle scatback, Darren Sproles. If you ever needed to spell Tomlinson for a series, Sproles brought a totally unique skill set to the field that was useful out of the backfield, as well as on kick returning duties.

Notable players: Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens, Brian Dawkins

During Donovan McNabb's Madden cover season, nothing could go right for the actual Philadelphia Eagles, as the mercurial, but hyper-talented, Terrell Owens engaged in a messy, public dispute with McNabb for much of the season. Unfortunately for McNabb, he couldn't silence Owens with his play on the field either, as the QB was sidelined by injuries for much of the season. Thankfully, though, none of these soap-opera dramatics could seep into the fabric of the Madden universe, allowing Philadelphia to live up to their game-breaking potential. McNabb and Owens were a surefire TD connection, while Philly's steadfast defense, headed by hard-hitting playmakers like Brian Dawkins and Jeremiah Trotter, was more than adequate at keeping your opponent from crossing the goal-line.

Notable players: Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, Kurt Warner

This year was what many consider to be the last hurrah for the core of the Greatest Show on Turf, as quarterback Kurt Warner would see himself replaced by the up-and-coming Marc Bulger by season's end. In this Madden, though, Warner was still in his MVP form. And with Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce lining up alongside each other, and a Hall of Famer like Marshall Faulk in the backfield, you would've had better luck stopping a charging bull than you would trying to keep these Rams out of the end zone. Their defense was fairly ordinary, but that wasn't a huge concern when they could easily score 60 to 70 points in any given contest.

Notable players: Michael Vick, Peerless Price, Warrick Dunn

Of course the greatest Madden player of all time was going to head one of the best Madden teams ever. We all know that Michael Vick could stretch a defense in ways absolutely unprecedented, but you can't ignore the fact that he wasn't the only guy on the field, either. Warrick Dunn was a two-way back who gave defenses fits, while hulking defenders like Keith Brooking and Patrick Kearney brought some added muscle and swagger to Atlanta's identity. Play as the Falcons in Madden 2004, and you were more than likely looking at a W.

Notable players: Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu, James Harrison

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always been one of the most stalwart defensive franchises in the NFL, and there were only a very few times in their history when that was more true than in the late 2000s, when they had Pro Bowl stars like James Harrison and Troy Polamalu locking down their opponents every Sunday. You'll find as well that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is surprisingly mobile for someone sporting such a doughy physique, and that receivers Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are more than capable of coming down with anything that Big Ben tosses their way. Stun your opponent with a few quick scores, and then bring in the D to deliever the KO.

Notable players: Steve McNair, Eddie George, Jevon Kearse

Steve McNair tragically passed away back in 2009, but the former Titans and Ravens signal-caller will always live on in our memories as Air McNair, one of the league's best dual threat quarterbacks of the late '90s and early 2000s. Backed by the powerful, and dependable, Eddie George, McNair led a Titans offense that was uber-efficient and very, nearly championship material. Don't sleep on the fact that you had Jevon Kearse terrorizing the edges on D-line too. The Freak gave quarterbacks nightmares back in his prime.

Notable players: Tom Brady, Corey Dillon, Rodney Harrison

The Patriots of today have gained their fearsome reputation for their fast-paced, high-octane offense, but back in the days when they were picking up Super Bowl trophies left and right, the defense was actually the team's major calling card. Anchored by franchise heroes like safety Rodney Harrison and linebacker Tedy Bruschi, New England played a rough, hard-nosed style of ball that few teams could truly step up against. With a defense this loaded, and the steady hand of a younger Tom Brady guiding the offense, the 2005 Patriots were one of the most well-balanced teams that Madden has ever put out on to the field.

Notable players: Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, Julius Peppers

Hard to believe today that any team that let Jake Delhomme handle quarterback duties could be considered one of Madden's best, but during the mid-2000s, when Carolina was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball, Delhomme was putting up serious number for the Panthers. With a speedy, sure-handed target like Steve Smith, and a stout defense keeping opposing teams out of the end zone, Carolina managed to blend a gritty, head-down identity with a long-ball, high-flying attack to considerable success. Play against them at your own risk.

Notable players: Eli Manning, Sinorice Moss, Justin Tuck

Eli Manning has led his Giants to two Super Bowl titles during his 10-year career in New York, but that on-the-field success has never really seemed like something that could translate to a Madden dynasty. Manning has always been a productive quarterback, but never as prolific or impressive as his older brother, and the supporting cast around him have never been particularly eye-catching. In Madden 09, though, Eli & Co. would no longer be denied virtual greatness. Take the field with New York in this version, and you'll have the bull-rushing Justin Tuck on your side, as well as a strong and dependable receiving corps featuring players like Amani Toomer, Sinorice Moss, and Mario Manningham. A group like that is more than enough to get the job done.

Notable players: Aaron Rodgers, Greg Jennings, Clay Matthews

Now that Aaron Rodgers has become, arguably, the best pure-passing quarterback in the league, it's time that he got a Madden team that reflects those capabilities. He can turn to the Madden 12 version of the Green Bay Packers for his answer. With a speedy pass-rusher like Clay Matthews coming around the edges on defense, and a go-to downfield threat like Greg Jennings ready to fight for any deep ball, Rodgers had the supporting cast in 12 necessary to be considered one of Madden's best ever teams. Don't sleep on Pro Bowl cornerback, Charles Woodson, either. Line that guy up against your opponent's top receiver, and you could be finding yourself with one or two INTs in the stat sheet by game's end.

Notable players: Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey

New Orleans' offense was given a major facelift when Sean Payton and Drew Brees came to town, and not only did that result in Super Bowl success, but it also made them one of our favorite franchises in Madden. A pass-happy style of play like the one that the Saints employ is exactly what we look for in a team, allowing for a greater range of play-calling options, and a higher success rate for those crucial, long third down plays. The Saints under Drew Brees have been one of those rare teams that, when you watch them, you almost can't believe that they aren't a video game.

Notable players: LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman

LaDainian Tomlinson could do it all as a running back, putting up monster pass-catching and rushing totals during his nine-season tenure with the San Diego Chargers. Facilitated by the oft-dependable and occasionally flashy, Philip Rivers, the Chargers could come at you in a variety of ways, frustrating opponents with their stacked receiving corps and All-Pro talents. On top of that, Madden 2006 featured linebacker Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman during his rookie year—a season in which he would claim top honors for all first-year defensive players—giving the Chargers' D the pass-rushing abilities it needed to be considered elite. San Diego was famous for choking in the playoffs during this era, but when you were in control, victory was almost certain.

Notable players: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Ray Rice

With a two, defensive superstars like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed on their side, the Ravens were guaranteed to field at least one of Madden's greatest ever teams. Shoddy quarterback play often kept the team from capitalizing on all the hard-hitting talent they had gathered, but when Joe Flacco came to town, things changed for the better. Like a lot better. Does anyone else remember trying to play as Baltimore when they had a guy like Kyle Boller under center? Gives us hives just thinking about it. Reed and Lewis may have been a little past their primes by Madden 12 but, thankfully, the team's offense had been upgraded significantly by then, which allowed for the occasional defensive misstep every now and again.

Notable players: Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Marvin Harrison

With a Hall of Fame talent like Peyton Manning calling the shots, it wasn't really a question that a Colts team would make this list, it was just a matter of which one we would choose. Eventually, we settled on the finest, offensive attack that Indianapolis ever assembled, when they had Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne streaking down the field, Edgerrin James pounding it out in the backfield, and Manning directing the whole show. Defense was always an afterthought for the Colts during Manning's hey-day, but when you had one of the most efficient offenses of all time on your side, you didn't need to worry too much about a couple stray TDs here and there for the other team. Play as the Colts during this time and you'd best prepare yourself for a bit of a shootout. Luckily, you have all the tools you need to come out on top.

Notable players: Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Asante Samuel

Is it any surprise that one of the best teams to never win a Super Bowl would make this list? New England's season may have ended as one of the biggest heartbreaks in the history of the NFL, but most any Madden player could avoid that same fate, so long as they had the sense to throw the ball to Randy Moss. "Beast" doesn't even begin to describe Moss during this the 2007-08 year, as he would go on to set the record for most receiving TDs in a single season while reinvigorating an All-Pro career that had taken a slight decline during his time in Oakland. With Tom Brady on your side, you too could make Moss look like Jerry Rice—or better. Sound good to you? We thought so.