Buffalo Bills Among NFL's Least Popular Madden Franchises

by Brian Galliford on Feb 10, 2011 4:00 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

On August 10, 2010, Madden 11 was released for rabid football fans around the world. From that date until the final whistle in Super Bowl XLV, about 290 million games of Madden were played online, according to data compiled by The New York Times.

Despite the best efforts of wide receiver Stevie Johnson - who frequently invites fans and friends to play Madden with him on Twitter - the Buffalo Bills, unsurprisingly, were not one of the more popular teams to use while playing Madden last year. In fact, according to the Times, only five NFL teams - Arizona, Seattle, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and Carolina - were a less popular option than Buffalo. Cleveland, St. Louis and Detroit immediately precede the Bills on the list.

Even if you don't play Madden, and are not into video games at all, this data is intriguing. As NFL stories developed - say, for example, the arrival of Michael Vick as Philly's starter, or Randy Moss changing teams twice - gamers changed their Madden team preferences. Game results mattered, too; Seattle, for example, saw a spike in Madden popularity after their Wild Card playoff victory over New Orleans. Green Bay and Pittsburgh finished the year as the two most-often used teams in Madden.

Here's to bigger and better things from Madden, and from the Bills, in 2011.

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Comments

I’m not very up to date on the latest Madden games. If your console has an internet connection, does the game update the rosters and talent of teams/players as the real NFL season takes place?

by LetsGoBflo on Feb 10, 2011 4:04 PM EST reply actions

Usually every week or 2 they have a roster update, during the season.

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Feb 10, 2011 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Gotta use Buffalo… it feels weird using anyone else. Packers are fun to use, because of their passing game and D… but 95% of the time Im the Bills.

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Feb 10, 2011 4:06 PM EST reply actions

i did not buy the latest one,

but updated the 2010 version as best as possible, either way i crush the computer with the bills.

this is on the all-pro setting, if you go to all-madden, it just maked you fumble the ball 10 times a game.

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 10, 2011 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

The fumbles are ridiculous on all-madden… I hate that. Thats one thing they need to fix, big time on ’12.

Lets Go Buff a lo!!!

by bflo on Feb 10, 2011 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

You just need more practice young cricket. All Madden all day.

by FKNGVNA on Feb 10, 2011 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

i dunno

i crush on allpro, but as soon as i put it on allmadden i fumble on punt returns and kick returns like crazy and just dumb stuff happens, its not like the teams are any better, i can still win sometime, but they make you fumble the ball the the most Inopportune moments

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 10, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

the fumbling is ridiculous at times...

I only have a problem with it when I play on “My Skill”, it changes after every other game or so, but for the most part, im in the 18s to 20s, while the All-MAdden setting is capped at 15. I fumble like crazy on My Skill, but I dont have that problem on All-Madden. Try using the “cover-the-ball” button, it doesn’t work all the time, bit def helps.

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 7:20 PM EST up reply actions

I usually just make my own fantasy team. I really like using the Packers when I go online though.

The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.

by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

This is, as you say, unsurprising.

The Bills are not very good, so they are difficult to use sometimes. Also, it’s a small market, without a large fan base. That is why they’re ahead of teams like Tampa Bay, but behind teams like Cleveland.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Feb 10, 2011 4:15 PM EST reply actions

you're right

As soon as I get them, I start scouring the free agents for lineman and trading away my lower round picks.

by telka on Feb 10, 2011 4:18 PM EST up reply actions

Madden is weak when it comes to the Bills...

I love Madden, but when they dont even put players we freak’n drafted on the team or even available as FAs, its stupid. Danny Batten isn’t even on the game and this pissed me off when I first got it. I also think the Madden guys do a great job on most of the skills, but the drop off between players who are regarded as good and those that aren’t is way too much.

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

I play with the Bills when I’m playing franchise mode or just playing around with the computer. But if I’m playing head to head I wouldn’t touch them if my life depended on it!

by telka on Feb 10, 2011 4:15 PM EST reply actions

I look at it this way.

If I can win with Buffalo, then I’m sick at Madden!

Only problem is, I can’t win with Buffalo. :)

by The Adam Bomb on Feb 10, 2011 4:27 PM EST reply actions

it is so easy,

as long as you know the playbook and can use audibles, i can beat most people and always the computer

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 10, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions

EXACTLY. Know your team and know your opponents’ weaknesses.

by FKNGVNA on Feb 10, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

Except that Buffalo's line lets the Defense in ASAP

I still have no used any other team except the Bills…and I wouldn’t have any other way

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 7:23 PM EST up reply actions

Up to a certain difficulty, I can beat anyone with Buffalo. All-Madden… no.

Except, weirdly enough, if I play HoF mode with a left-handed Peyton Manning who can run. (85 speed, 81 accuracy and 92-93 power.) Just have to remember to sim the first pre-season until it doesn’t glitch. (I’m still using ’08, thus my typical call “The Madden Roscoe showed up today!” this season.)

Plus I’d bet D. Bell would be an excellent LT in that game. (Bugs me that it doesn’t flip LT and RT, but in that game Brad Butler gets hella good hella quick.)

"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk

by Orlando John on Feb 10, 2011 5:26 PM EST up reply actions

Playing online with the Buffalo Bills is always fun!

On offense I tend to use four receivers and a single back with Parrish and Spiller in the slot. Short slants or Stevie running fade routes and deep posts works best. Evans is basically a decoy taking away the other teams best corner.

Also using Spiller at the fullback and having run into the flats works extremely well.

Defense got a big boost with Merriman, and the Williams and Moats upgrade. I can actually get a pass rush, but still can’t stop the run. And the corners work really well in man.

Special teams you have to use Brian Moorman on kickoffs. I make a bunch of tackles with #8.

But the best part is people show me a ton of hate when I beat them, and all I reply with is “The Bills =)”

by Baron Hashimoto on Feb 10, 2011 4:32 PM EST reply actions

i think im gunna hols off till the newest version, i still play 2010

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 10, 2011 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Might as well. It’s only a few months away.

by Baron Hashimoto on Feb 10, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Tha BIlls. Pay up pay up pay up.

by FKNGVNA on Feb 10, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

My personal favorite is when you see the blitz coming and the corners are playing up at the line. Switch it to a fly route with Evans and just heave it. Money every single time. Unfortunately, real teams aren’t that stupid. :-(

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Feb 10, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

I also like to put Evans in the slot

But I only do this when Parrish gets hurt.

Playing online I seem to get him hurt every other game.

by Baron Hashimoto on Feb 10, 2011 11:41 PM EST up reply actions

i have never used anybody else other than buffalo gotta make a few tweaks to get them how i like then people laugh until i beat them

my current madden 11 record havnt played it that much online ranked match is 1 win 1 loss avg 26 points per game and triple the opponents T.O.P since the game is crap is but since madden 04 i avg 4 wins vs every loss

where oh where has aaron maybin gone oh where can he be
was picked so high and not one has seen oh where can maybin be
seriously where the hell is he ?

by Gpluehri on Feb 10, 2011 4:34 PM EST reply actions

Same here ROCK ON!

by FKNGVNA on Feb 10, 2011 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

It's the ONLY team I play with

I LOVE to see peoples reaction when they see me pick the Bills. I’ve played with the Bills since ‘92 Madden, Gameday, 2K, WHATEVER. Ever since the long lob pass to Lofton down the right sideline to the wildcat with Marshawn. I played ’11 but didn’t get too much into it after the 3 rings of death on 360. I got a new one but I’m waiting to play the NEW MADDEN after another Chan Gailey draft. I represent the Bills on Quckhit.com too.

http://www.quickhit.com/coach/fkn_gvna

by FKNGVNA on Feb 10, 2011 4:45 PM EST reply actions

Good to know I’m not the only one to have used the Bills wildcat.
Power is actually a really good play.

by Xaviermw on Feb 10, 2011 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

Oh well

The question I have is: Do I buy Madden 11 at this point, or wait it out for 12?

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 10, 2011 4:53 PM EST reply actions

gamefly it. Or rent it and take it back when you’re done. Gamestop still wants full price.

by FKNGVNA on Feb 10, 2011 4:54 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, gamestop is insane. I have a giftcard there but no desire to spend full price on a now-old game. Even their used one is still 48 bucks! EAsports.com had a sale of all games $29.95 but I missed out.

I know that if you have Forza 3, you can rent the new ultimate collection and install it over your current save, getting all the content without having to buy anything.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 10, 2011 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

I learned something new watching G4. Buy your games during he Black Friday weekend. People were getting games like 3 for 1.

by FKNGVNA on Feb 10, 2011 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I saw some good deals, but I was buying a DSLR and needed all the funds going there.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 10, 2011 6:13 PM EST up reply actions

You’re buying the Double-Stuff Racing League? Wow!

by Krenn on Feb 10, 2011 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

No I don’t have FORZA, I used to play it back in the day. I got to get a PS3, that Gran Turismo has me drooling.

by FKNGVNA on Feb 10, 2011 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

Just to warn you, GT5 is all looks, no substance. If you want to race, enjoy building and modifying cars, and so on, get FM3.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 10, 2011 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

I love GT5

I use all the possible mods and test all of my favorites to get them geared just right. Its a lot of fun to me, but I have an inner “gear-head”.

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 7:31 PM EST up reply actions

Have you played FM3?

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 11, 2011 5:37 PM EST up reply actions

Wait for 2012.

The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.

by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

I had it on wii for a while....

I played the entire 2010 season on rookie with the Bills… Needless to say I found great joy in stomping a mudhole in the Jets and Patriots Twice… Muahahahahaha!

"There's always next year..." -- Rip Van Winkle--

by Hayze on Feb 10, 2011 5:27 PM EST reply actions

fun game, but franchise mode sucks.

just not well designed, counter intuitive and no fun drills/offseason activities.

best part about it though is building-up the bills through the draft so you can actually win simmed games…. beating the comp is easy (other than, yes, on all-madden), but it’s a nice make-believe when you can build a bills team that is actually good. :tear:

by beatlebum on Feb 10, 2011 5:32 PM EST reply actions

Yea franchise has gone down hill, still my favorite aspect of the game tho. Always rebuild the Bills. Spiller is great fun once you get an O-line and he progresses a bit. He has shattered all the rushing records and even holds the single game receiving yards record on all-pro. Wish you could build a new stadium with out have to relocate the team the Manhattan Bills just ain’t the same.

by Robot Nixon on Feb 10, 2011 7:08 PM EST up reply actions

Some of my favorite stuff about the Madden Franchise was removed permanently and put into

NFL Head Coach, but then they expanded on those features and made them no-fun. I still love the Madden Franchise setting though, and I always play on least “All-Madden” because beating the Comp by 80 pts is no fun. Plus, I like to use Rex Ryan’s defensive playbook, it has a bunch of 3-4 under and over looks as well as 4-6 alignment that is great when playing running teams.

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 7:34 PM EST up reply actions

Madden?

What’s this game you call Madden?

And Buffalo selects "God only knows" in rd. 1 pick 3. Bank on it!

by buffalobacker on Feb 10, 2011 5:44 PM EST reply actions

Not very surprising, the Bills are (unfairly) atrocious on Madden.

I mean I play Madden all the time and even I don’t use the Bills, they are that bad in the game. But I think that says more about the people at EA than the gamers who play Madden.

The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.

by CanadianBillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 5:59 PM EST reply actions

I agree, they do a good job with 80% of players and teams, but they hold the Bills as an afterthought.

But I think that says more about the people at EA than the gamers who play Madden.

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 10, 2011 7:36 PM EST up reply actions

try replacing Fred Jackson with Spiller. Much better Madden team with Spiller in there…. ironically.

Ryan FitZpatrick - The Inconvenient Truth.

by kgun201 on Feb 10, 2011 7:52 PM EST up reply actions

Weird

I use my Bills on Madden

by Jeremy Galton on Feb 10, 2011 6:26 PM EST reply actions

I Use the Bills

Funny, I am at 99 wins for on ‘11 and I’m looking forward to #100 tonight after dinner. I usually use the Bills with Spiller in the #1 RB slot as well as KR and PR.

Alternatively, against very strong players I use Tenessee. Anyone beyond that is cheezing out in my view.

Ryan FitZpatrick - The Inconvenient Truth.

by kgun201 on Feb 10, 2011 7:51 PM EST reply actions

Really?!

Who would’ve thought, the Bills are one of the lowest rated teams in the game.

Do you think I’m going to play against a similar skill level player with a low rated team like Buffalo while they take Green Bay or Pittsburgh?

I personally take New Orleans. Speedy receivers, speedy running back, accurate QB, and a decent-enough defense.

I must say though, the Bills became more useable throughout the year, kudos to the Madden ratings team.

by Doc Souce on Feb 10, 2011 10:19 PM EST reply actions

my biggest complaint with madden is

The jog animation when you’re on offense and should score but the defender chases spiller from behind then when your on defense and trying to take the correct line the computer makes your defender do a jog backpedel combo and the bs with sure picks hitting the cbs in the hands and those onehanded over the shoulder dlineman ints are realistic

where oh where has aaron maybin gone oh where can he be
was picked so high and not one has seen oh where can maybin be
seriously where the hell is he ?

by Gpluehri on Feb 11, 2011 12:08 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I don't use the Bills either

I mean every time I play using the Bills Donte Whitner stops mid-play to send a tweet…it is that life like anymore.

No weekend spent pantsless is a wasted weekend.

by sireric on Feb 11, 2011 12:49 AM EST reply actions

The Bills have gotten a lot better as the season progressed. I noticed Fitz did much better and Steve Johnson improved a ton too. He couldn’t catch anything over the summer, but as he broke out, he became a much improved player in the game. The O-line does OK , it’s just the defense that tends to kill you.

by legendmaker53 on Feb 11, 2011 1:47 AM EST reply actions

Adjust your defense they’ll kill you less. Don’t use anything with only three down lineman. Merriman and Moats at DE. Williams and Edwards at DT. Replace Whitner with Wilson and put Scott at ROLB.

That’s the defense I go with and I find a bunch of success with.

by Baron Hashimoto on Feb 11, 2011 5:12 AM EST up reply actions

I usually do 1 franchise with the Bills for about a season or 2 and that's it

I like doing fantasy drafts much more in the game as well as online franchises that way you get to play actual people with your drafted team instead of smoking the computer every time.

"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes

by panekattack on Feb 11, 2011 9:21 AM EST reply actions