#1 - The Seahawks will win the Super Bowl.
Phil Varckette: Fact. Their defense, especially their secondary is just too good. If Russell Wilson has an average game that's all they will need. Sure, Tom Brady is one of the best of all time, but even he will be shown to be a mere mortal against this Seahawks defense.
Ben Vollmer: Fact. Do the Patriots have a better offense than the Packers? Probably not. If the Patriots somehow manage to put up a similar point total, is sub-25 points enough to win the game? I don't think so. The emergence of Blount in the Patriot's offense definitely helps, and Gronkowski poses a unique problem for a defense that specialized in locking down good wide receivers (which the Patriots don't have).
Chris Sanner: Fiction. As a general rule, when one team is a heavy favorite or popular pick in a championship game, its always wise to look at the other side to make sure that confidence in the favorite is founded. The Patriots have improved immensely over the second half of the season and they do pose some matchup problems for the Seahawks. We'll see if I'm right, but I wouldn't bet against New England so quickly.
#2 - Madden's greatest need on the field is improved defensive back play.
Phil Varckette: Fact. Madden's greatest on-field need is wide receiver/defensive back interaction. There needs to be hand fighting, grabbing, hooking, penalties, etc. Until this is fixed everything else should come second.
Ben Vollmer: Fact. Like Phil mentioned, the interaction between the defensive backs and wide receivers is likely the game's greatest need. It makes the passing game so much less interesting and creates a frustrating atmosphere on the defensive end. With the defensive line/offensive line interaction so much better than it's been in the past, this seems like the logical next step.
Chris Sanner: Fiction. I promise I'm not being antagonistic -- defensive back play is important -- but creating an even better NFL atmosphere along with a better experience in the popular modes within the game is just as important. With that in mind, I can't say defensive back play is the most important thing the series needs -- as there are even more pressing needs within the game. But there is no doubt big changes are needed for next season.
#3 - The NFL overtime rules are horrendous.
Phil Varckette: Fact. You can't have it both ways, NFL. Both teams have a chance to get the ball, but not really. It's time for a college-style overtime to make its way to the NFL. Both teams should get possession. You can even do kickoffs if you must, but both teams deserve a chance after earning that overtime spot. I also think ties are ridiculous. Every game should have a winner.
Ben Vollmer: Fact. The college rules for overtime are not only more exciting, but more fair to both teams. If the NFL is stubborn on paving their own path, then each overtime should be given at least 15 minutes with everything after that (in the case of a tie) being sudden-death.
Chris Sanner: Fact. As it is, if you are going to have such a horrible set of overtime rules, you might as well have games that end in regulation as ties stay that way. At least then teams won't feel slighted for being given a bad case of luck at the coin toss. A college model is more preferable, just with a start at midfield being more preferred.
#4 - Madden NFL 16 will compete for Sports Game of the Year on OS.
Phil Varckette: Fact. I predicted this in our 2015 bold predictions piece. The Madden team is finally getting to a place where realistic football takes precedence over everything else. If they work on the WR/DB interactions, and fix the challenge and penalty system this year, we will have a winner on our hands.
Ben Vollmer: Fiction. I loved Madden 15 but I'm not sure it can cover the gap that games like FIFA, NBA 2K, and MLB: The Show own over it. That said, it's possible. There needs to be an overhaul for a lot of the animations, including the dynamic between two competing players on both sides of the ball. Not to mention, there can't be anything like the sack issue in this year's iteration.
Chris Sanner: Fact. Madden 15 already competed for this award, finishing as the Bronze finisher in our staff poll. The reader's thought pretty highly of Madden as well, so it is nowhere near as far as its detractors may make you think. Last year's game was easily the best playing football game of all time, and a new commentary team and even more polished DB play would take the series to new heights quality-wise. The big thing standing in front of Madden is the fact NBA 2K is such a well thought out series sans the online issues. Plus, Madden's modes are clearly a step back at this point.
#5 - The playbooks in Madden need a dramatic overhaul this upcoming year.
Phil Varckette: Fact. I don't like the playbooks. I find them boring. I usually end up using coaches suggestions because they are so bland anyway. What we really need is a create a play feature. Then be able to share our plays. This would go a long way in increasing the authenticity of the game.
Ben Vollmer: Fact. An easy fix for this would be a playbook creator matched with the ability to create your own plays. It seems relatively simple, especially if Madden limits the users to all of the most well known routes.
Chris Sanner: Fact. Both the offensive and defensive playbooks are huge stumbling blocks for the franchise and many plays haven't changed in years. Its obvious the game depends on the playbooks staying relatively static to be balanced, but this is something where some added variety probably wouldn't hurt in the future.