The start of the 2026 NFL season is right around the corner, and one of the best things about the summer is the release of EA Sports’ latest edition of Madden. Before Madden NFL 27 becomes available, we decided to highlight a few teams we can’t wait to play with upon its release.
For the sake of this exercise, we’re going to exclude the obvious picks like the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Chicago Bears. Instead, we’re highlighting a few other clubs who deserve a little more love.
Madden NFL 27 is available to preorder on Amazon ahead of its release.
Check Out EA Sports’ Madden NFL 27 Arcade Edition in Apple Arcade on August 6
Detroit Lions
Madden NFL 27, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5), center, celebrates a touchdown pass against Cincinnati Bengals with wide receiver Jameson Williams (1), left, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) during the first half at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.
The only true limitation when using the Detroit Lions offense in Madden is Jared Goff’s limited mobility. He ranked 90th among all quarterbacks in speed (74) in Madden last year, and that doesn’t figure to change this year. With that said, we’re looking at a Lions offense with two of the fastest players in football, Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs, with an excellent pass-catching tight end in Sam LaPorta, an All-Pro wide receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown, and an emerging red-zone threat with great hands in Isaac TeSlaa. This is one of the best offenses in the NFL, and there are playmakers on defense to balance it out.
Related: Predicting Fastest Players in Madden NFL 27
New Orleans Saints
Madden NFL 27, , New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) celebrates his touchdown against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025.
Don’t sleep on the New Orleans Saints in 2027. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough is an underrated dual threat (87 speed and 77 agility). Chris Olave is coming off a career-best season (100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns) and there’s now a 1B receiver in 6-foot-2 rookie Jordyn Tyson. Plus, the Saints’ ground game will be more explosive now with the addition of Travis Etienne, and this offense has a very good, young offensive line to lead the way. Defensively there aren’t any marquee names, but it’s a respectable unit that played well in 2025. The youth and talent on this Saints roster makes them a great pick to have some fun with in Madden NFL 27, either in dynasty or single games.
Las Vegas Raiders
Madden NFL 27, Las Vegas Raiders
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
We’ll start with this: Playing with the Las Vegas Raiders in Madden NFL 27 means getting into a lot of high-scoring games. The defense, even with Maxx Crosby, Nakobe Dean, and Quay Walker, isn’t good. What excites us about this Las Vegas team is operating an offense with Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, two outstanding talents who a game plan can be centered around. We’d also highlight the fact that Las Vegas has speed at wide receiver (Tre Tucker and Dont’e Thornton Jr.), while Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech are solid underneath weapons. If you have the confidence in executing the offense with either Kirk Cousins or Fernando Mendoza as your quarterback, the Raiders are a sneaky team to build with this year in Madden.
Read More: Dynasty TE Rankings
New England Patriots
Madden NFL 27, New England Patriots
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
It’s not just the arrival of A.J. Brown. Yes, we’re excited about a New England Patriots‘ passing game that finally has a bonafide No. 1 receiver who can both stretch the field and make outstanding catches in traffic. It’s also the complementary No. 2 receiver added in Romeo Doubs, who is perfect for that role, and our expectations for running back TreVeyon Henderson in his second season. All of those weapons for Drake Maye can make this one of the league’s most explosive offenses. On top of that, the Patriots’ defense has high-end talent at every level. Whether you’re playing a single season or want to build a perennial Super Bowl contender, the Patriots are a great pick.
Minnesota Vikings
Madden NFL 27, Minnesota Vikings
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Kyler Murray is one of the fastest quarterbacks in Madden 27, and one thing that could never be questioned is his arm strength. We no longer have to talk about a Minnesota Vikings‘ offense with an elite supporting cast—Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Jauan Jennings—that is anchored by J.J. McCarthy. Plus, Kevin O’Connell has one of the best playbooks in football, and half the Vikings’ games are played indoors. Maybe Murray’s limitations will put a ceiling on Minnesota in real life, but those problems don’t really exist with the right person behind the sticks in Madden.
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Matt Johnson is Senior Editor of NFL and College Football for Sportsnaut. His work, including weekly NFL and college ... More about Matt Johnson