Before we start, let me note that I don't care about shiny graphics, I'm an on the field guy, so if you want shiny graphics discussion find another thread because you're going to be bored in this one.
My theory has always been that the reason CG Madden wasn't running on systems that could handle the calculations needed to make the most of the pieces of the game actually work the way they were supposed to.
Seriously, if you're playing the NG, start really paying attention to what's going on. We obviously know the game is playing better, but what about it plays better? How is it different from CG?
I think the simple answer is that, because of the increased calculations and resources usable by the NG systems, we're finally seeing the Madden we were promised on CG.
Thing about the last time you hit a WR as the ball got there on CG; What was the outcome? I think we all have this pretty good notion of what would happen. It was very limited, even with sliders. With sliders, he may not ever catch the ball instead of dropping it on the hit. Now go pay close attention to the same play on the NG game; Do you notice how much more interaction their is between the defender, the receiver and the ball? Do you see how it is actually being calculated if it should be a completion or not? Don't you love how the ball can get tipped up in the air and picked off!
Think about your defenders against the TEs and backs now. In the CG game, how limited was the interaction between your LBers and CBs vs those positions? Did it not feel like that those defenders were committed to one decision after the snap of the ball? They would make an initial reaction to the TE/back and then play off that initial reaction the rest of the play would they not? Then the coverage was awful, there was a breakdown constantly on TEs and backs. Why was that? Did it not just feel like the computer couldn't handle dealing with the the multiple parts of the coverage with the defender? Then put in your NG game, and it feels like the defenders make intelligent decisions as individuals! It's awesome!
Earlier I was playing a game and a OLB was covering the interior of the field, and a WR went across the middle while a TE ran an our route. As the WR got their the OLB picked him up as he came towards the zone, I saw this and passed to the TE as he made his break. Instead of waiting for the pass to complete the OLB dropped off the WR, reacted to the pass and deflected the pass into the air and it was picked off. I was stunned! I threw the ball before it was out of his reach, and he made a play. It was great.
If this theory is indeed correct every game play guy on the planet should be super stoked for this heading forward. We might be finally seeing the game the way the devs have intended us to see it. It's not perfect by any means, but it just took a big step in the right direction IMO.