10:33 AM
The problem for whoever he lines up against is that Cleveland's defensive end, Myles Garrett, has been a force on the field. He has enough fun with it to create his own quarterback graveyard on Halloween.
He has become one of the best defensive players in the NFL and now can add another honor to the list, he is the first Cleveland player to ever be given a 99 rating in Madden in the three decades the game has been a yearly staple of video game and NFL culture.
Left tackle Joe Thomas peaked at 98 overall. But never a 99.
This week, the shift happened for the highest-rated defensive end in the game, who was 98 overall. The ascents of both the NFL and Madden have been the same, with the same starting point as a rookies in Madden 18. He was given a 93 rating to start the game in Madden 20 and moved up to an 88 in Madden 19. He has had double-digit sacks in each of the past four seasons, and this year has had a career-high 15 sacks in 13 games.
The Rams and 99 Club stalwart, Aaron Donald, have both rated that high in this year's game. The 99 Club gives the potential of starting Madden 23 for the 99 Club.
It's not certain that will happen. There's a good chance that if he finishes out this season as he's been playing, there will be a chance. He would be the first defensive end/outside linebacker to start the season with a rating of 99.
The first player to reach the 99 Club wasGarrett.
>
Madden NFL 22 is out on December 16, 2021.
