Madden 17 Ratings: Rob Gronkowski, Patriots Earn High Marks From EA Sports

EA Sports released its player and team ratings for the “Madden 17” video game, and the New England Patriots are highly regarded, to say the least.

The Patriots are the AFC’s top-ranked team with an 87 overall rating, which is two points higher than the 85 rating given to the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers. New England was awarded an 89 rating on offense and a 91 rating on defense.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, who’s on the cover of this year’s version of the “Madden” series, is one of just four players to receive a perfect 99 rating. He’s the only offensive player to earn such praise, as he’s joined in the exclusive 99 club by Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly.

Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is considered the NFL’s best quarterback with a 96 rating. Patriots QB Tom Brady and Panthers signal caller Cam Newton sit a notch below, each with a 94.

A few other Patriots players are among the top five at their respective positions: Stephen Gostkowski is tied with two others as the best kicker at 85 overall, Patrick Chung is the third-best strong safety at 85 overall, Dont’a Hightower is the fifth-best outside linebacker at 90 overall and Jamie Collins is the fifth-best middle linebacker at 88 overall.