Madden 20: Four teams to rebuild in Connected Franchise

Honorable Mention – Cleveland Browns (83 OVR, 82 DEF, 83 OFF)

After an eventful offseason in which the Cleveland Browns traded for Odell Beckham Jr. (96 OVR), a top-five WR in Madden 20, and signed HB Kareem Hunt (90 OVR), they are no longer considered a joke. In fact, despite falling in the middle of the pack for team ratings, many consider the Browns to be a dark horse to make the playoffs.

With RE Myles Garrett (91 OVR), CB Denzel Ward (88 OVR), WR Jarvis Landry (84 OVR) and more, much of the rebuilding has been done already. It would now be up to you to put it all together on the field.

But with all of this talent, including the outspoken QB Baker Mayfield (83 OVR), comes ego. Madden 20’s new Scenario Engine could mean some midseason drama for the team if they don’t get off to a good start, or if a player’s stats aren’t where they want them to be.

The Browns finished with a record of 7-8-1, an improvement over 2017’s 0-16 and 2016’s 1-15 records. But it has still been 11 seasons since they had a record better than .500; they last accomplished the feat in 2007 when they went 10-6 and finished 2nd in the AFC North. The goal this year is playoffs, especially with all of the talent they’ve acquired the past two seasons.

It won’t be easy, though. The Browns still have the Ravens and Steelers atop the AFC North. Technically, the Browns are rated better than the Ravens, but still trail the Steelers in terms of team overall rating. In any case, it’s the closest the division has been in years.