Madden 18 player ratings update analysis: Week 5

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

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions

79 overall ➔ 82 overall

Abdullah's coming off his best game of the season in which he racked up 94 rushing yards on a season high of 20 carries. He was able to find the end zone for the first time all season and added an additional 15 yards on three receptions. A 29-yard run was his third play of more than 20 yards in the past three weeks.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs

81 overall ➔ 84 overall

Hunt has topped 100 total yards in all four games thus far, with Week 4 being his third 100-yard rushing game of the season. He was kept without a touchdown for the first game all year, but that's of little concern as he continues to defy opposing defenses in all areas of the field.

Tyvon Branch, S, Cardinals

82 overall ➔ 87 overall

Branch recorded another nine combined tackles in Week 4, bringing his season total to a monstrous 39. He's the highest ranked of all qualified safeties, according to Pro Football Focus.

Ken Crawley, CB, Saints

74 overall ➔ 78 overall

Crawley's been a major part of an improving Saints defense, compiling 12 combined tackles over the past two weeks and snatching his first interception of the season against Miami Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler in Week 4. The Saints held the Dolphins and Carolina Panthers to a total of 13 points in Crawley's first two games of the season.

Ryan Grant, WR, Washington

70 overall ➔ 73 overall

Grant's second touchdown of the season showed the trust quarterback Kirk Cousins has - and gamers should have - in the 6-foot receiver. While Grant has caught just 10 of 15 targets on the season, he's matched the touchdown total of all other Washington wide receivers.

Fallers

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Raiders

87 overall ➔ 84 overall

Lynch has been held below 20 rushing yards in each of his past two games, and he remains with just one touchdown on the season. He also amassed only 15 rushing attempts over the past two weeks, but his usage should spike with EJ Manuel now under center for the Raiders.

Joey Bosa, DE, Chargers

86 overall ➔ 82 overall

Expected to be the focal point of what was supposed to be a strong Chargers defense this season, Bosa is representative of the unit's struggles through four games. His 2.5 sacks through the quarter pole of the season have him on pace to match his rookie total, but he ranks just 61st among all qualified PFF edge defenders.

Vontae Davis, CB, Colts

86 ➔ 82

Davis failed to make an impact on the Colts' defense in his first game of the season. He made six tackles but did little else while being part of a unit that allowed 46 points to the Seattle Seahawks.

Paul Posluszny, LB, Jaguars

85 overall ➔ 80 overall

After racking up more than 130 combined tackles in each of the past two seasons, Posluszny is at just 12 through four games. The improved play of the Jaguars' defense as a whole is lessening the workload of the longtime stalwart, but it's having a negative impact on his rating.

Keanu Neal, S, Falcons

80 overall ➔ 77 overall

Neal is rightfully being punished with his share of the blame for the underperforming Falcons defense. The second-year safety has defended just one pass while on a 16-game pace for 96 combined tackles.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)