The question was how to represent those players who find a way to step up late in games or in the postseason, when the pressure is highest.
The “Clutch” trait was meant to be the answer to that dilemma. Players who are designated as “clutch” receive ratings boosts in the final minutes of close games. Offensive and defensive linemen are not eligible for the trait.MADDEN 18 REVIEW: New story mode a success
For the first four years, the trait was handed out to only a select few players. Since then, however, the developers at EA Sports have somewhat relaxed the definition of what makes a player “clutch,” seemingly handing out the designation to many individuals who are simply rated highly and considered among the best at their positions. That includes players who have never even appeared in a postseason game, and even rookies Jameis Winston (“Madden NFL 16”) and Roberto Aguayo (“Madden NFL 17”).
The choice to do so for the latter last year backfired, as kicker Roberto Aguayo had such a poor rookie season and awful training camp that he was recently cut despite the Buccaneers having spent a second-round pick on him.
The biggest head-scratcher with “Madden NFL 18” when it comes to clutch players is once again a rookie for Tampa Bay.
Tight end O.J. Howard, taken 19th in the draft, is the only rookie to have received the trait. Howard had big games in the last two college foortball national championships, but again, he has never taken a regular-season snap in the NFL and is being grouped in with the league’s most proven performers.
All the other clutch players have firmly established themselves in the league.
62 players return as “clutch” from last year’s game out of 70 total.
(*Making debut as a “Clutch” player)
Quarterbacks Tom Brady, Patriots Aaron Rodgers, Packers Matt Ryan, Falcons* Drew Brees, Saints Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers Russell Wilson, Seahawks Andrew Luck, Colts Derek Carr, Raiders* Cam Newton, Panthers Matt Stafford, Lions* Jameis Winston, Buccaneers
Running Backs Le’Veon Bell, Steelers Marshawn Lynch, Raiders C.J. Anderson, Broncos
Tight Ends Rob Gronkowski, Patriots Delanie Walker, Titans Greg Olsen, Panthers Jordan Reed, Redskins Tyler Eifert, Bengals Jason Witten, Cowboys Antonio Gates, Chargers O.J. Howard, Buccaneers*
Wide Receivers Julio Jones, Falcons Antonio Brown, Steelers A.J. Green, Bengals Odell Beckham Jr., Giants Jordy Nelson, Packers Dez Bryant, Cowboys DeAndre Hopkins, Texans Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals Julian Edelman, Patriots Doug Baldwin, Seahawks Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos Jermaine Kearse, Seahawks*
Linebackers Von Miller, Broncos Luke Kuechly, Panthers Khalil Mack, Raiders Bobby Wagner, Seahawks Justin Houston, Chiefs Sean Lee, Cowboys NaVorro Bowman, 49ers Thomas Davis, Panthers Terrell Suggs, Ravens Brandon Marshall, Broncos Lavonte David, Buccaneers Derrick Johnson, Chiefs
Cornerbacks Aqib Talib, Broncos* Chris Harris Jr., Broncos Malcolm Butler, Patriots Patrick Peterson, Cardinals Josh Norman, Redskins Richard Sherman, Seahawks
Safeties Earl Thomas, Seahawks Eric Berry, Chiefs Eric Weddle, Ravens Harrison Smith, Vikings Devin McCourty, Patriots Reshad Jones, Dolphins Tyrann Mathieu, Cardinals Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles T.J. Ward, Broncos Kurt Coleman, Panthers
Kickers Justin Tucker, Ravens Matt Bryant, Falcons* Dan Bailey, Cowboys Adam Vinatieri, Colts Steven Hauschka, Bills
Punters Bryan Anger, Buccaneers* Sam Koch, Ravens Chris Jones, Cowboys
Lost “Clutch” status this year: Tony Romo (retired), Adrian Peterson, Jonathan Stewart, Jimmy Graham, Brandon Marshall, Steve Smith (retired), Demaryius Thomas, Clay Matthews, Darrelle Revis, Vontae Davis, Graham Gano, Stephen Gostkowski, Josh Brown, Roberto Aguayo, Pat McAfee (retired), Dustin Colquitt
MADDEN 18 PLAYER RATINGS:QB | RB | WR/TEDL | LB | DB | Rookies
Leading the way with the most clutch players, a whopping seven of them, is the Broncos. They’re followed by the Seahawks with six and the Cowboys, Patriots and Panthers all with five.
The only teams without any clutch players are the Jets, Browns, Jaguars, Rams and Bears.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, is co-founder of the sports gaming site HitThePass.com, hosts the “Press Row Podcast” and can be reached on [email protected].
