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
Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles
81 overall ➔ 84 overall
Four touchdowns, 304 passing yards, and a 70 percent completion percentage. Wentz torched the Arizona Cardinals in Week 5, and his career day earned him one of the week's most significant leaps. If this is any indication, he'll be in for another bump following his Week 6 performance against the Carolina Panthers.
DeForest Buckner, DT, 49ers
87 overall ➔ 89 overall
Buckner's stats might not be eye-popping, but the second-year defensive tackle has made a gargantuan leap in his performance, consistently wreaking havoc against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5. The former first-rounder is becoming one of Madden's underrated gems on defense.
A.J. Bouye, CB, Jaguars
85 overall ➔ 87 overall
Jalen Ramsey may be the Jaguars' star playmaker in the secondary, but free-agent addition Bouye has been just as impressive over the first five weeks of the season. With Bouye's latest bump, it may not be wise to try and throw on the Jaguars (who thought that sentence would ever be seriously written?).
Ed Dickson, TE, Panthers
70 overall ➔ 73 overall
Dickson came out of nowhere to rack up 175 yards on five catches in Week 5. Due to the lack of consistent receiving options on the Panthers, the 30-year-old tight end should get enough looks to bump up his rating further and become a viable Madden weapon.
Leonard Fournette, RB, Jaguars
82 overall ➔ 84 overall
Fournette is dragging a Blake Bortles-led offense to shocking success. For that, the rookie more than deserves his latest bump. His epic 90-yard touchdown run probably didn't hurt, either.
Fallers
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
88 overall ➔ 86 overall
Big Ben has not been himself all season long, and he hit a new low in Week 5 by throwing five interceptions and averaging 5.7 yards per pass. The veteran quarterback should count himself lucky that he only dropped by two points.
Tyron Smith, LT, Cowboys
87 overall ➔ 85 overall
Arguably the top left tackle in football over the past few seasons, Smith has been making uncharacteristic errors of late, likely caused by lingering back issues. Nevertheless, Smith continues to fall after starting the season rated 94 overall.
Amari Cooper, WR, Raiders
86 overall ➔ 85 overall
During the Raiders' three-game losing streak, Cooper has caught just four passes for 23 yards and no touchdowns. The cause of his regression is a mystery, and Madden players might be best served to look to Michael Crabtree (rated 86) until Cooper rebounds.
Sam Bradford, QB, Vikings
84 overall ➔ 82 overall
Bradford clearly wasn't healthy enough to perform up to his usual standards in his Week 5 return, prompting him to be benched in favor of Case Keenum at halftime. After an elite performance in Week 1, Bradford looked set for a career year, but will again leave real and virtual football fans wondering "what if?"
Stephon Gilmore, CB, Patriots
84 overall ➔ 82 overall
Gilmore rebounded nicely against Mike Evans following a poor performance in Week 4, but the highly-priced free agent couldn't avoid a two-point drop. The cornerback will need to prove he can play at a top level every week to boost his rating back up.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
