Madden 18 player ratings update analysis: Week 3
Every week, theScore's football editors will take a deep dive into the rating changes from the Madden 18 video game, looking at the most notable risers and fallers based on the previous week's action.
Risers
Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs
77 overall ➔ 79 overall
For the second week in a row, Hunt's overall rating jumped two points - and it's arguably less than he deserves after a ridiculous start to his NFL career.
The Kansas City Chiefs' running back added another two touchdowns and over 100 scrimmage yards in Week 2 following his historic performance against the New England Patriots in the season opener.
Expect to see him in this section often.
Shaquil Barrett, LB, Broncos
82 overall ➔ 86 overall
The Denver Broncos sorely needed someone to emerge next to Von Miller following DeMarcus Ware's retirement and an injury to Shane Ray, and Barrett has done just that.
The pass-rusher didn't record a sack in Week 2 - though he did in Week 1 - but he did rack up an impressive seven combined tackles as the Broncos' front seven held Ezekiel Elliott to eight yards on nine carries, earning himself a much-deserved four-point bump.
Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Cowboys
79 overall ➔ 82 overall
Only Calais Campbell has more sacks through two games than Lawrence, who's single-handily keeping the Cowboys' pass rush alive. Only two other Cowboys have recorded a sack and none have more than one.
Injuries and suspensions have kept Lawrence from reaching his potential early in his career, but now the defensive end is wrecking havoc, and thanks to his three-point increase, Madden lovers will have another option to play on the Cowboys' defense other than Sean Lee.
Chris Thompson, RB, Redskins
77 overall ➔ 79 overall
When you average 25.7 yards per tote and score a 61-yard touchdown, a substantial bump is inevitable.
Thompson was an underrated change-of-pace back prior to this season, but he's finally getting his due after scoring three times in two weeks with a leap to 79 overall. A further expansion of his role should only lead to more bumps for the dynamic playmaker.
Jordan Poyer, S, Bills
75 overall ➔ 78 overall
Few players have seen their overall rating skyrocket like Poyer since Madden 18 launched, jumping from 75 to 78 for Week 3 after starting out at 67.
The Buffalo Bills' safety has been making plays all over the field. He's been a highly efficient tackler, totaling 11 in Week 2 alone, and has also made key plays in the passing game in the loss to the Carolina Panthers, including two pass breakups of sure touchdowns.
Fallers
Kirk Cousins, QB, Redskins
84 overall ➔ 82 overall
As Sean McVay makes a star out of Jared Goff, his former pupil, Cousins, is struggling without his ex-offensive coordinator.
The Redskins' quarterback drops from 84 to 82 despite Washington pulling out the win against McVay's Rams. Cousins has struggled to find chemistry with his new targets, and his downfield passing and fumble issues have reemerged.
Unless Washington's offense makes a miraculous turnaround, Cousins' fall might not be over.
Jimmy Graham, TE, Seahawks
89 overall ➔ 88 overall
After struggling to cement his role in the Seattle Seahawks' offense following a 2015 trade, Graham looked to have finally found his rhythm last season.
However, the tight end has looked a shell of his former self this campaign, catching one pass in Week 2 after a three-catch, eight-yard performance in the season opener.
Graham started the season with a 93 rating, but gamers should look elsewhere when on offense for Seattle as the pass-catcher fell to 88 this week.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Titans
89 overall ➔ 87 overall
Even before a hamstring injury forced Murray to the sidelines in Week 2, he looked set for his second consecutive rating drop.
The Tennessee Titans' running back has lacked explosion over the first two games of the season, and it's been reflected in his overall score, dropping from 91 to 89 before Week 2 and falling further to 87 this week.
Like the real-life Titans, you should be phasing to Derrick Henry.
Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, Giants
88 overall ➔ 85 overall
Fair or not, a lot of Giants' defensive players have taken a hit due to the offense's inability to keep them in games - and none more so than Pierre-Paul.
The pass-rusher even had a sack and a forced fumble in Week 2's loss to the Detroit Lions, but couldn't avoid a drop from 88 to 85. Pierre-Paul's lackluster run defense - usually his specialty - could be the cause.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills
92 overall ➔ 90 overall
McCoy's 202-yard performance in Week 1 didn't give him enough goodwill to avoid a drop after being held to just nine yards on 12 attempts by the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
The Bills are heavily relying on their star running back, as usual, so McCoy has a shot to claw back the lost two points to his overall score, though he may end up being a victim of Buffalo's stagnant passing game.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)