The Flow Check

Tuesday, September 26, 2006.
Madden Curse and the NFL Power Rankings: Week 3

RyanMcBain.com

The Best Damn Sports Forum...Period!

First off I have to give a shout out to my boy Brian Westbrook for saving my ass in my fantasy league. 117 yards rushing, 47 yards receiving and three touchdowns. For those stats Brian, you have earn the coveted RyanMcBain.com Fantasy Player Of The Week Award.

Remember when I said that drafting Shaun Alexander was risky because of the Madden Curse? (I believe I said that here) Before my fantasy draft I was asked if I would draft Alexander given the chance. I replied, "Oh Hell no!!" I was called crazy and then the people in my league laughed when I drafted Maurice Morris later on. Well well well, whose laughing now slap dicks?!!?!?

The Madden Curse is for real. Here is the history.

Eddie George Madden 2001
3.4 yds per Att.
After George appeared on the cover of Madden 2001, Tennessee was upset in the AFC playoffs at home by the Baltimore Ravens. Hampered by injuries and perhaps shaken by a concussive hit from Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, George rushed for just 939 yards and averaged just three yards per carry.

Daunte Culpepper Madden 2002
78.5 QB Rating
This time it was Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper's turn to feel the hurt. After a Pro Bowl campaign in 2001 that saw Culpepper throw for 33 touchdowns and nearly 4,000 yards while leading the Vikings to the NFC title game, he was put on the cover of Madden 2002. The Vikings promptly dropped to 5-11, while Culpepper struggled his way to a season ending knee injury and a 78.5 QB rating.

Marshal Faulk Madden 2003
Ankle Injury
Marshall Faulk entered the season as the featured weapon on a Rams squad expected to atone for a Super Bowl upset loss to the New England Patriots. Instead, the Rams finished 7-9 and Faulk rushed for less than 1,000 yards in an injury-riddled season.

Michael Vick Madden 2004
Broken Leg
The flashy QB started to grow in popularity after the Falcons upset the Packers at Lambeau Field in the playoffs the season before. But while playing against the Ravens in a preseason game he breaks his leg while being tackled. Vick misses most of the season and the Falcons fail to make it to the playoffs. Oh and just so you know, the coach at the time Dan Reeves was "fired" during the end of the season.

Ray Lewis Madden 2005
Broken Wrist
I know some people that thought Lewis was going to break the curse. Well he didn't!! Yes he had 146 tackles (which is actually below is career average) but Lewis broke his wrist during the last game of the regular season and the Ravens failed to make it to the playoffs.

Donovan McNabb Madden 2006
Sports Hernia
Donovan McNabb had a tear in his abdominal area (sports hernia) and needed surgery. He also had a bruised chest and a shin contusion. The Terrell Owens drama just added to the Eagles finishing 6-12 for the season.

Shaun Alexander Madden 2007
Foot Fracture
Click here for the story.

And now it is time for the only rankings that matter.

2006 RyanMcBain.com Power Rankings: Week 3
	RK (LW)	TEAM	REC	COMMENTS
	1 (1)	Colts	3-0-0	Indy did beat a good defensive team, but they still can't stop the run.
	2 (2)	Seahawks	3-0-0	The Madden Curse has struck.
	3 (5)	Bengals	3-0-0	The Bengals keep doing well on the field. But off the field is another story. The rate things are going I wouldn't be surprised if Marvin Lewis got caught with a little boy.
	4 (8)	Bears	3-0-0	Rex Grossman might be the Bears' savior after all.
	5 (9)	Ravens	3-0-0	The Ravens are winning and Steve McNair is rusty. When he catches on this team might go a long way.
	6 (14)	Eagles	2-1-0	The Eagles recovered well after last weeks choke job. Philly better pray that Westbrook stays healthy.
	7 (6)	Jaguars	2-1-0	The Jags running game is on point but they are still having trouble using their WRs effectively.
	8 (15)	Broncos	2-1-0	As long as the running game is fine Plummer will be as well.
	9 (3)	Falcons	2-1-0	If the Falcons can't run they're done. Why? Cause Vick sucks as a pocket QB.
	10 (10)	Chargers	2-0-0	Lets see if the Bolts can keep the magic going after their bye week.
	11 (16)	Panthers	1-2-0	Steve Smith is back. I'm sure Jake Delhomme is thanking God.
	12 (12)	Cowboys	2-1-0	Terrell Owens might not miss any games. Dallas can relax.
	13 (7)	Steelers	1-2-0	So how many Steeler fans are on the Charlie Batch bandwagon? Big Ben better snap out of it.
	14 (17)	Saints	3-0-0	Great win for the Saints. But their emotional high isn't going to last for the entire season.
	15 (4)	Patriots	2-1-0	Looks like the Pats have lost too many players and too many coaches.
	16 (11)	Vikings	2-1-0	Even with their injuries the Viks played well.
	17 (13)	Giants	1-2-0	The Giants should be 0-3.
	18 (19)	Jets	2-1-0	Chad Pennington is still healthy??!?
	19 (20)	Rams	2-1-0	Is Kurt Warner still on the Rams payroll?
	20 (25)	Redskins	1-2-0	With Portis back, the Skins will be ok.
	21 (18)	49ers	1-2-0	Injuries are going to make this bad team even worse.
	22 (22)	Chiefs	0-2-0	Trent Green is still out. And so is KC.
	23 (26)	Dolphins	1-2-0	What if Chris Chambers changed his name to "Randy Moss"...hmmm.
	24 (23)	Cardinals	1-2-0	So let me get this straight. Kurt Warner is still the starter? Hahahaaahaahahaa.
	25 (31)	Packers	1-2-0	The Packers need playmakers. Favre can't do it himself.
	26 (24)	Bills	1-2-0	The good news: You are in a weak divison. The bad news: You're weaker.
	27 (28)	Browns	0-3-0	Still rebuilding.
	28 (21)	Buccaneers	0-3-0	John Gruden says that he thinks Chris Simms will be healthy enough to play this season. Is that a good thing?
	29 (27)	Lions	0-3-0	How did that guarantee work out for ya Roy?
	30 (29)	Titans	0-3-0	Is the Vince Young era ready to begin?
	31 (30)	Texans	0-3-0	Reggie Bush > Mario Willams
	32 (32)	Raiders	0-2-0	And with the first overall pick in the 2007-2010 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders select...