It’s tough to compete with the NFL’s heavy hitters when you’re using the Lions or Rams. So if you’re a die-hard fan in Detroit or St. Louis, here’s your early chance to scout out which teams you’ll be facing online in Madden 2010. After all, the games begin on August 14.

5. Atlanta Falcons - One of the most underrated acquisitions this offseason was the Tony Gonzalez pickup by the Falcons. Not only is he the best tight end in recent history, he joins a team poised to make noise this season.

He joins the NFL’s second leading rusher, Michael Turner, and deep threat Roddy White. Matt Ryan is the face of a Falcons team on the way up, and he is equipped with every weapon needed for success. A sophomore slump is not out of the question, but regardless, Madden 10 will still feature plenty of Matty Ice.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers - The defending champions will have a tough time winning a second straight title this season, but their defense should be up for the challenge. Ben Roethlisberger proved the critics wrong last year, and Santonio Holmes emerged as a true number one receiver. Fast Willie Parker will be back, and Rashard Mendenhall’s broken shoulder should be healed for 2010.

It also helps that the vaunted Steel Curtain defense should be strong once again in 2010. We all know about James Harrison’s aversion to high-profile appearances, but he’ll still be there on Sundays -- he can no-show Obama but Harrison won’t pull the same nonsense on John Madden.

3. Arizona Cardinals - After watching Super Bowl XLIII, I assume plenty of people want to toss the ball to Larry Fitzgerald; he can catch anything in his path and break it off for 70 yards. Anquan Boldin may or may not be on the squad by the time Madden 10 releases, but he definitely helps on the offensive end as well.

It’s very easy to forget that this is the same team that lost 49-7 to New England, barely finished 9-7 and had plenty of people calling for a different playoff system in the NFL. But those memories were erased by Larry Fitzgerald’s 64-yard touchdown run. If you’re a person who enjoys tossing the long ball, the Arizona Cardinals should be your number one choice.

2. Minnesota Vikings - This is a conditional choice based on one thing: Brett Favre. If he joins the team, he does not necessarily make the Vikings better, but he will make Minnesota much more popular. Adrian Peterson, Bernard Berrian, rookie Percy Harvin and, of course, the Williams "brothers" on defense certainly don't hurt either on the popularity front.

Either way, the world seems to have a thing for Brett Favre, and his appearance will be a big deal if it happens. If he does come back for the Minnesota Vikings, expect a lot of "gun-slinging" in Madden 10. If he stays retired, bump the Vikings out and move the Tennessee Titans to the five spot.

1. New England Patriots - When you look at the list of teams on this list, it is strange that a non-playoff team would be number one. Nevertheless, the Patriots played quite well despite a season-ending injury to Tom Brady last season. New England has also added the sure-handed Joey Galloway and the shifty Fred Taylor. Both of those guys may be up there in age, but they should still be able to make a solid contribution.

I don’t need to go into what else the Patriots have going for them (like the core of a team that went 18-1 in 2007-2008). The Patriots are just as balanced as Pittsburgh, except they have a much more explosive offense than the Steelers. Madden 10’s number one online team this year should perform like it did during its near-perfect season.


Can you beat these teams with the team you like to run with? Will New England return to dominance? Do you want Brett Favre back in the NFL?