By now you've already had the chance to check out all the new Madden NFL 21 game modes, from The Yard to all the new content in Madden Ultimate Team. But you may be looking to play against one of your friends for a quick online game. You need to come prepared, and using a good team is a perfect way to get started on the right foot. Here are the six best Madden 21 teams that will help you dominate and rise to fame!

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 88 Overall Rating

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This one may come as a surprise to some of you who own Madden 21. You will notice that the Chiefs are not among the highest-rated teams, even though they were the Super Bowl 54 champions. Nevertheless, they're still one of the best teams to use in Madden 21 for the following reasons:

Kansas City Chiefs Offense Rating: 92

This Super Bowl 54-winning team has one of the best QBs to use in Madden 20: Patrick Mahomes. With his 99 OVR rating and X-Factor of Bazooka, Mahomes throws out-of-this-world passes.

Kansas City Chiefs Defense Rating: 77

Kansas City does not have one of the best defenses, but they showed improvements during the 2020 and 2019 seasons compared to their abysmal performance during the 2018 season. During the 2018 season, the Chiefs were known to be the team that would get into high-scoring matches with other teams. This was a constant battle as their defense could not hold on to any lead that Mahomes and his offense got for them.

This is undoubtedly why their rating is leaning towards the lower side, as it's a 15 point difference between the offense and defense rating. However, if you're playing against one of your friends, using the Chiefs offense is one of the best feelings.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 85 Overall Rating

Electronic Arts Inc.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed victory at Super Bowl 55 at their home venue against the heavily favored Kansas City Chiefs. The team bolsters one of the league’s scariest defenses we’ve seen in quite some time, and this was put on display during Super Bowl 55. Here’s an in-depth look at how the team stacks within Madden 21:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense Rating: 87

This team is led by the greatest Quarterback of all time, 96 OVR QB Tom Brady. The former New England Patriot was for the most part excellent during the course of the regular season. Brady is not the only former Patriot in this lineup, as 86 OVR TE Rob Gronkowski displayed his former self during Super Bowl 55, making two exceptional catches. On the wideout side, you also have the option to throw to 91 OVR WR Mike Evans, 88 OVR WR Chris Godwin, and 86 OVR WR Antonio Brown. This team’s offense is no joke, and they’re easily one of the best teams to use in Madden 21.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense Rating: 83

The real star of this team is the Buccaneers defense. They’re easily one of the best we’ve seen in recent memory. The defense was ranked number one in the league during the 2020 NFL season and was undoubtedly the reason they came out on top during Super Bowl 55. Some notable names on defense who you can use to wreak havoc on the opposing team include: 85 OVR RE Ndamukong Suh, 85 OVR ROLB Jason Pierre-Paul, 84 OVR MLB Devin White, and 83 OVR FS Antoine Winfield Jr. The team you’re facing off against isn’t going to have a good time when you’re on the defensive side of the ball.

3. Los Angeles Rams: 78 Overall Rating

Electronic Arts Inc.

Although the Rams fell flat during the 2020 NFL season, they still have one of the best rosters in the league. This was only made better with the trading of rocky 77 OVR QB Jared Goff for a reliable veteran in 81 OVR QB Matthew Stafford. Now, the Rams are going into the new 2021 NFL season as one of the clear-cut contenders and are a team to be terrified of.

Los Angeles Rams Offensive Rating: 74

A new look at the QB position is perhaps the biggest reason the Rams are now on our list of the best teams to use in Madden 21. QB Matthew Stafford has been consistent since he was selected with the number one pick by the Lions, but has never really had a stable team around him. Now, Stafford will look to bolster the team’s offensive output with passes to star 86 OVR WR Cooper Kupp. In addition, 80 OVR HB Cam Akers showed in the playoffs that he has become a viable option on the team.

Los Angeles Rams Defensive Rating: 82

Similar to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Ram’s star side of the ball is on the defensive side. Led by one of the highest rated players in Madden 21, 99 OVR RE Aaron Donald, the Ram's defense is always a threat to the opposing team’s offense. 97 OVR CB Jalen Ramsey in the secondary is also one of the best options when it comes to CBs in the league and will make it a nightmare for teams trying to throw the deep ball against him. This team is a lot of fun to use and should strike fear within any team you’re playing against.

4. New Orleans Saints: 93 Overall Rating

Electronic Arts Inc.

To many people’s surprise, the New Orleans Saints are actually the highest-rated team in Madden 21. We know some of you did not expect this, but let’s take a closer look at their offense and defense to see why.

New Orleans Saints Offense Rating: 96

It should come as no surprise that the Saints have one of the best-rated offenses in Madden 21. Simply look at the players they have, from 99 OVR WR Michael Thomas who is the premier WR of Madden NFL 21, to 94 OVR HB Alvin Kamara who has proven himself as one of the most consistent and versatile HBs in the league. All of this combined with 86 OVR QB Drew Brees who we all know is going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. This offensive group is just scary from the Saints, and your opponents will feel the same when using them.

New Orleans Saints Defense Rating: 86

The Saints have one of the most balanced groups in the entire NFL. They're led on the defensive side of the ball by 93 OVR LE Cameron Jordan, and they have some of the best corners in the league, with 87 OVR CB Marshon Lattimore and 83 OVR SS Malcolm Jenkins. It’s going to be quite the task to get the ball to a defender with this defense.

5. San Francisco 49ers: 89 Overall Rating

Electronic Arts Inc./RealSport101

Although the 49ers lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 54, they're still one of the best teams to use in Madden NFL 21. The 49ers have had a resurgence in recent years, and their dynamic group of players going into this new season has the potential to make it back to the Super Bowl. Be on the lookout throughout the season, as we're sure some of their players are going to get a ratings boost.

San Francisco 49ers Offense Rating: 84

The most notable offensive player the 49ers have is without a doubt 97 OVR TE George Kittle. He's always a threat in the pocket and can catch any pass, good or bad. 75 OVR QB Jimmy Garoppolo has proven he can be a reliable QB on this team's offense, but they're lacking some weapons on the wings.

San Francisco 49ers Defense Rating: 87

Although statistically the 49ers shine in the offense category, the majority of their high-rated players come from the defensive side of the ball. Led by the dynamic duo of 87 OVR CB Richard Sherman and 90 OVR RE Nick Bosa, the pair have been the focal point of this amazing defense. The 49ers also have 92 OVR MLB Fred Warner who is no pushover down the middle for the defense. While this side of the ball may not be the best to play, this team will make the best out of it for you.

6. Baltimore Ravens: 87 Overall Rating

Electronic Arts Inc.

Next on our list is perhaps the biggest surprise of the 2019 NFL season: the Baltimore Ravens. Coming into 2019, not many people knew what to expect from the Ravens. We all know what transpired over the course of the season, and with 91 OVR QB Lamar Jackson gracing the cover of Madden 21, it's no surprise they're on this list.

Baltimore Ravens Offense Rating: 89

We're all well aware of the raw talent and athleticism that Lamar Jackson has, and last year was the best showcase we could have received. Not only do the Ravens have the reigning MVP, but they also field 78 OVR HB Mark Ingram II and 88 OVR TE Mark Andrews — two monster options for Lamar should he be in the mood to throw the ball or pass it off to Ingram II. This dynamic offense is one of the best defensive teams to use in Madden 21, and we're sure you'll pull off some insane clips with Lamar at the helm.

Baltimore Ravens Defense Rating: 86

92 OVR RE Calais Campbell leads the way on the defensive side for the Ravens, and he has cemented himself as one of the best at his position. The Ravens have been touted as one of the most balanced teams. The Ravens are one of the best combinations of offense and defense, which makes them a team that players must try out in Madden 21.

Madden 21 Team Ratings

Want to see the Madden 21 team ratings for all 32 NFL teams?

Here’s the Madden 21 teams list and ratings sorted by Overall Rating (OVR):

TEAM	OVERALL RATING	OFFENSE RATING	DEFENSE RATING
1. New Orleans Saints	93	96	86
2. San Francisco 49ers	89	84	87
3. Kansas City Chiefs	88	92	77
4. Baltimore Ravens	87	89	86
5. Dallas Cowboys	86	87	82
6. Green Bay Packers	86	89	80
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	85	87	83
8. Seattle Seahawks	85	88	80
9. Philadelphia Eagles	84	80	76
10. Pittsburgh Steelers	84	79	84
11. Houston Texans	84	78	79
12. Indianapolis Colts	83	83	76
13. Buffalo Bills	83	77	84
14. Minnesota Vikings	83	80	81
15. Cleveland Browns	82	82	76
16. Chicago Bears	82	73	88
17. Los Angeles Chargers	81	74	83
18. Atlanta Falcons	81	85	72
19. Las Vegas Raiders	80	81	74
20. Tennessee Titans	80	77	81
21. Arizona Cardinals	80	76	79
22. New England Patriots	79	75	85
23. Denver Broncos	79	69	84
24. Los Angeles Rams	78	74	82
25. Detroit Lions	78	76	78
26. Carolina Panthers	77	75	72
27. New York Giants	76	83	74
28. Miami Dolphins	76	69	78
29. Cincinnati Bengals	75	71	85
30. New York Jets	75	67	75
21. Jacksonville Jaguars	74	71	72
32. Washington Football Team	74	66	77

 

Now it's your turn:

What teams do you think should be on this list?

What team are you having the most fun using in Madden 21?

Let us know in the comments section below!

Read more:

12 Best Madden 22 Teams [With Official Team Ratings!]

4 Best Teams To Use In Madden 20 [With Ratings]

Best Madden 20 Offensive And Defensive Playbooks [With Videos]

 

Top image via Electronic Arts Inc./Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC

This article was written by Nick Farrell, an experienced journalist who aims to provide insightful and proactive articles daily.