The Madden Curse is the name given to the phenomenon where many professional players, such as Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson, who were considered to be certainties for the NFL draft, have seen their careers derailed by injuries.
Lamar Jackson has suddenly become the latest victim of the infamous Madden curse. The madden cover list is a list that ranks who will be on the cover of Madden in each year.
Lamar Jackson didn’t waste any time proving his detractors wrong. He rapidly rose to prominence in the NFL after winning MVP honors in just his second season with the Baltimore Ravens. To no one’s surprise, the uber-talented dual-threat quarterback went on to be featured on the cover of Madden NFL 21.
Jackson, unfortunately, has become the latest victim of the notorious curse connected with being on the cover of one of the most successful video games of all time.
After being a Madden NFL cover player, a number of NFL stars suffered difficulties.
The Madden NFL series has featured some of the league’s most well-known players on its covers. However, many athletes have experienced sorrow after being highlighted in such a prominent manner.
Do you need proof that the Madden curse exists?
The year they featured on the cover, Donovan McNabb (Madden NFL 06), Shaun Alexander (Madden NFL 07), and Troy Polamalu (Madden NFL 10) all lost substantial time due to injury.
Peyton Hillis was placed on the cover of Madden 12 after a breakthrough 2010 season that includes 1,177 running yards and 13 total touchdowns. He ran for 587 yards and three more years in the league after an injury-plagued 2011 season.
The cover athlete for Madden NFL 17, which was published in August 2016, was Rob Gronkowski. He sustained a season-ending back injury three months later. Despite a heroic performance from the famous tight end, the Patriots were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 52 the following year.
Antonio Brown was featured on the cover of Madden NFL 19. That 2018 season, ironically, marked the start of his decline. He pushed his way out of Pittsburgh after leading the league with 15 touchdown catches and became a nuisance for the Steelers. He had brief spells with the Las Vegas Raiders and the New England Patriots.
The Madden curse has struck again, with Lamar Jackson being the latest victim.
It didn’t happen immediately away, but Lamar Jackson seems to have succumbed to the Madden curse.
While the 24-year-old hasn’t suffered a severe injury like some other ex-cover sportsmen, it’s difficult to overlook Baltimore’s recent string of poor luck. J.K. Dobbins, the Ravens’ primary running back, tore his ACL. The former Ohio State star seemed to be a potential breakthrough prospect, but he will not get the opportunity to show off his abilities this season.
To make things worse, Baltimore will be without two more players at the position for the remainder of the season. In the next months, Justice Hill (torn Achilles) and Gus Edwards (torn ACL) will have to deal with arduous rehab sessions rather than NFL defenders. The Ravens had to sign Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Latavius Murray after their running back depth chart was devastated by injuries.
In yet another sad turn of events, Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters tore his ACL during practice on Thursday. His absence may create significant difficulties for a Baltimore defense that lacks a strong pass rush.
So, what does this mean for Jackson?
Moving ahead, he will have to bear a greater share of the burden. Of course, he’ll have to do it without the services of Rashod Bateman, a potential first-round selection, and Miles Boykin, who has started 24 games in the last two seasons. Both receivers are now on injured reserve and will not return until Week 4.
Without a doubt, Jackson’s prospects of earning a Super Bowl championship in 2021 are little to none. The Ravens didn’t have the best roster to begin with, and losing three of their top running backs as well as a ball-hawking corner makes them much less likely to represent the AFC.
What does the future hold for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco?
Lamar Jackson will have a difficult time leading a Ravens offense that has already lost three running backs due to season-ending injuries. | Getty Images/Todd Olszewski
What does Jackson’s future hold for him? It’s difficult to predict how the great quarterback will do this season right now.
On the one side, he has a lot of experience, so he should be able to develop and become more intellectual. At the same time, Baltimore’s offensive personnel issues may spell catastrophe. Defenses will have a much easier job slowing down Jackson and the passing game if the rushing game can’t get going.
The Ravens may have a chance to reach the playoffs as a wild card club in the end. However, in terms of skill, they still behind the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills. Even the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers might be ranked higher than John Harbaugh’s club. So it wouldn’t be surprising if Jackson and the rest of the team watched the playoffs from home.
Don’t forget that the Ravens must also decide what to do with their quarterback’s contract. With just one year left on his rookie contract, the 2019 MVP seems to be on the verge of breaking the bank and entering Patrick Mahomes’ financial zone.
But, unless he takes the Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore, Lamar Jackson will never be able to garner the same respect as his well-paid counterpart.
Pro Football Reference provided all statistics.
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The madden cover 2019 is a curse that has been present for years. Lamar Jackson, the latest victim of the Madden Curse, has lost his job to Joe Flacco, who was also cursed in 2010.
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