Madden 18 player ratings update analysis: Week 4
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
Chris Carson, RB, Seahawks
73 overall ➔ 75 overall
Carson has surprisingly snatched the lead role in Seattle. A relatively quiet Week 3 means the running back only moves up two points, but it's still impressive considering he started the year rated 66 overall.
Demarcus Lawrence, DE, Cowboys
82 overall ➔ 85 overall
Another week, another multi-sack game for Lawrence. The pass-rusher terrorized Carson Palmer all game long, earning himself a second straight three-point jump.
Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars
77 overall ➔ 82 overall
When you score a hat trick of touchdowns in one game, against the vaunted Ravens defense no less, you deserve one of the biggest bumps of the week.
Garett Bolles, LT, Broncos
74 overall ➔ 80 overall
After two weeks of ratings drops, the Denver Broncos' first-round pick rightfully got a bump. Not only did Bolles dominate against the Bills, he did so a week after being carted off in tears with a serious-looking ankle injury.
Fallers
Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
86 overall ➔ 84 overall
What's wrong with Cam? It's the question the Panthers desperately need an answer to, and soon. Until then, the 2015 NFL MVP will continue to tumble.
Malcolm Butler, CB, Patriots
90 overall ➔ 87 overall
Butler bounced back in Week 3 with a solid performance, but he was unable to avoid a significant fall after being dropped from the starting lineup the week prior following an uneven start to the campaign.
Derek Carr, QB, Raiders
89 overall ➔ 87 overall
Fair or not, it was hard for any member of the Raiders' offense to avoid taking a hit for the embarrassing loss to the Washington Redskins. Carr's inability to push the ball downfield - he averaged 3.8 yards per attempt in Week 3 - likely led to his two-point fall.
Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
85 overall ➔ 83 overall
Outside of his one, record-breaking touchdown, Gates has been a nonfactor in 2017, with just six total catches. Until Hunter Henry finds his feet, Madden lovers should rely heavily on the Chargers' standout receiving corps.
Sean Smith, CB, Raiders
85 overall ➔ 81 overall
Smith was torched by a past-his-prime Vernon Davis during Monday night's blowout win for the Redskins to the tune of two catches for 44 yards and a touchdown before mercifully being pulled.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)