Madden NFL 12: Week 4 Recap, Week 5 Roster Update Potential Rating Changes

The Lions are 4-0, the Bills are atop the AFC East, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in last place in the AFC North.  Can someone please tell me what decade we're in?

The first quarter of the NFL season comes to a close tonight with a Monday night matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts.  In the meantime, I will bring you a summary of some of the Week 4 highlights around the league, along with potential changes that might come to Madden NFL 12 Week 5's Roster Update on Friday.

The Miami Dolphins continued their "Suck for Luck" campaign with a loss to the San Diego Chargers.  The Lions overcame a 24-point deficit to shock the Cowboys.  The Ravens whooped up on the New York Jets.  And as a result, we should see some shakeup in the Madden NFL 12 player ratings.  As the season progresses, we should be getting a more accurate depiction of player's skills and their overalls.

Let's start off with a team nobody thought would succeed.  The Detroit Lions.  This isn't the same Lions team we've grown accustomed to watching.  Against all odds, the Detroit Lions overcame adversity and a 27-3 deficit to upset the Dallas Cowboys.  The first player who should see some improvements is Lions WR Calvin Johnson.  This guy is a beast, plain and simple.  Can we all agree that he is one of the top receivers in the NFL?  It's time EA shows him some love and gives him the proper rating.  Did you see him out-jump three defenders in the endzone?  I expect a frugal 1 point increase to Johnson's overall bringing it up to a 96.  The Lions, as a team, overcame adversity and as a result I expect another team overall increase from 84 to 85.  They are 4-0 afterall.

As for the Cowboys, I think rating Tony Romo has to be one of the hardest jobs at EA Sports.  You NEVER know what you're going to get with him.  Are you going to get the 3 touchdown Romo, or the 3 interception Romo?  This week, fans got both.  Romo started off hot, but come 3rd quarter, Romo had an epic meltdown which consisted of throwing two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Romo can make or break the Cowboys with his playmaking ability or dumb mistakes.  This week the mistakes cost the Cowboys a victory and as a result I expect a decrease in overall.  On another note, Dez Bryant showed some pro-bowler potential with two impressive touchdowns which should result in an overall increase.

The Patriots took care of business, as Brady returned to his mistake-free roots.  I personally don't think he should've been booted from Club 99 last week, but I think his 2 touchdown passes should bring him back up to 99 overall.  WR Wes Welker continued his monstrous season racking up 158 receiving yards.  Welker, who received a boost last week, should see an increase to his 92 overall.

In a sad event, my boy Andre Johnson left in the second quarter with a right hamstring injury and did not return to the Texans, Steelers game.  Needless to say, I don't expect him to make it into Club 99 this week.  On another note, RB Arian Foster had a strong return with 30 carries that amounted to 155 yards.  Expect an increase in his overall.  The injury bug continued to hit the Steelers as they lost running back Rashard Mendenhall (hamstring), linebacker James Harrison (eye) and defensive end Aaron Smith (foot) during the game.

Despite another stunning performance by rookie QB Cam Newton, the Panthers suffered a close loss to the Chicago Bears.  Newton threw for a staggering 374 yards and 1 touchdown, but it wasn't enough to overcome Bears RB Matt Forte's career-high 205 rushing yards.  Newton and Forte should both see an increase in overall as a result of their impressive performances.  Let's not forget about Devin Hester.  Hester set an NFL record with his 11th punt return for a touchdown and should see a slight boost, if only in recognition to his effort.  Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith continued his solid season with 181 reception yards.  He should also see an increase in stats.

A lot of fans were clamoring for a boost in the Seahawks defense, and though they got a slight one in the Week 4 update, the Seahawks defense was put into their place by the Atlanta Falcons.  Regardless, Seahawks QB Tavaris Jackson arose to the challenge throwing for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He deserves a boost in overall after a performance like that.

As for tonight's Monday Night Football matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Indianapolis Colts, I'm expecting the Buccs to win.  I think Buccs QB Josh Freeman will play mistake free football in a close physical matchup.  My pick goes tot he Buccaneers, but who do you think will prevail tonight?

Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.  Who do you think should get an increase/decrease?