10 Best Teams in Madden NFL 26

Your team matters, not just in Madden NFL 26 but in all sports simulation games. It’s so important, it could be the determining factor in winning or losing a match. You can use the team rankings as a guide. Most of the time, they are quite accurate in predicting your likelihood of breezing through a full season. 

However, the algorithm can surprise you at times, with some lower-ranking teams performing shockingly well in the virtual sim world. Even the Super Bowl winners aren’t necessarily the best team to pick. Below, we round up the best teams in Madden NFL 26, identifying the teams you want in your corner.

10. San Francisco 49ers – 86

Five San Francisco 49ers rank among the top ten players overall at their respective positions, much to the pleasure of fans. And I guess that would speak to the high 86 overall rating of the whole team. Such strong players definitely factor into how well the team performs against opponents. 

And with players like Mykel Williams at a 78 rating and among the top ten rookies, you can rest assured of victory. So, yes, ignore the dismal six wins and 11 losses that placed the team last in the NFC West 2023 Regular Season. Madden NFL 26 is definitely seeing something we aren’t, a spectacular rebound as in past years.

9. Denver Broncos – 87

Among the elite best teams in Madden NFL 26 is the Denver Broncos.  Two of the team’s players have an overall rating of 90 or higher, with Pat Surtain jumping two spots from last year to 97 overall. 

You’ll find the roster well-balanced with promising rookies, rising stars, and hardcore veterans. And with their stellar performance during the 2024-25 season, you can expect them to hold up their end of the deal on the field.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers – 86

When focusing on defense, you might want to place all bets on the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have a whopping 91 rating that should favor you well through a full season. Big names like Cameron Heyward, Jalen Ramsey, and T.J. Watt make up the team’s roster. Just be cautious of your offense, which is likely to suffer under aging quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

7. Houston Texans – 87

On defense, the Houston Texans rank quite highly, among the top five. The team has notable players like Tank Dell, Christian Kirk, and C.J. Stroud. Although the roster has had some interesting shuffles, trading future Hall of Fame Laremy Tunsil and taking in underrated players, you can’t argue that the Houston Texans carry the torch in the AFC South. 

6. Detroit Lions – 88

The Detroit Lions also have a strong roster, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Penei Sewell, rated at a whopping 96. While Brown is the third-highest-rated wide receiver in Madden NFL 26 and has a perfect catch rating of 99, Sewell is one of the top-rated offensive right tackles. The Detroit Lions’ performance this season is a little tricky to predict. With a rating of 88, you should at least enjoy a strong offense. 

5. Minnesota Vikings – 88

The Minnesota Vikings are also difficult to predict in the coming season, given that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is joining the fray. Perhaps that’s why it shares the same rating as the Detroit Lions. In any case, the team has maintained a consistent defense strategy at 84. Offense, though, is still anyone’s guess, hardly in the top ten of Madden NFL 26. 

4. Buffalo Bills – 89

Up next on the best teams in Madden NFL 26 is the Buffalo Bills. Two of its offensive players make it to the top ten player rankings, i.e., quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook. Allen has definitely held the Buffalo Bills up on both shoulders as the reigning NFL MVP quarterback with a 99 player rating. Will he lose his MVP status this coming season? That remains to be seen.

There’s also the concern over the Buffalo Bills losing to the Chiefs in the playoffs, 2-5. It’s an interesting rivalry that you can play out on the field, relying on the Buffalo Bills’ relatively good balance of offense and defense.

3. Kansas City Chiefs – 90

Speaking of the Kansas City Chiefs, you’ll have access to 97-rated Chris Jones, speaking to his real-life stellar defensive tackle performance. Three more players score above 94, rounding out a pretty strong team for Franchise mode, even if you have to rotate the players after the first season. 

As the Super Bowl runners-up, you know you’re getting a strong team, which has consistently maintained high ratings in the Madden NFL series. And even if they lost to the Eagles and lost some high-rated players during the offseason, you’ll still be relying on a proven, capable team. 

2. Philadelphia Eagles – 91

The winners of the Super Bowl are also a reliable choice. Two of the team’s players start off with a 99 rating, including the cover athlete and top All-Pro NFL running back, Saquon Barkley, and right tackle Lane Johnson. They’ll certainly be unstoppable on the field. 

However, the Philadelphia Eagles may not be the best team choice for you, given the Super Bowl-winning, high-rated players who stepped off the team in the offseason. With a sweet 94 offensive rating, cultivated on a strong rushing attack, fluid passing, and overall dynamic quarterback play, you can rest assured of swiftly making it to the playoffs. 

1. Baltimore Ravens – 93

Hands-down, the Baltimore Ravens rank the highest among the best teams in Madden NFL 26. Hardly any surprise, given the Ravens’ highest team offense at 94 and fourth-best defense at 87. From quarterback Lamar Jackson (99) to eight other players rated 90+, you’ll have no problem selecting strong talent to advance the ball past the opposing team for a slick touchdown.

A whopping two points above the Philadelphia Eagles, the Baltimore Ravens are one to watch, providing you with a strong defense, powerful running game, and effective drafting, to outsmart your opponents.