Thu. Jan 1st, 2026

The Digital Gridiron Referendum: Stafford’s 97 OVR Ascent Challenges Mahomes in Madden NFL 26

The weekly ratings updates in Madden NFL 26 are less about minor numerical adjustments and more about a constant, volatile referendum on real-world NFL performance. Week 14 delivered a seismic shift, questioning the established digital hierarchy and confirming that even the greatest virtual icons are not immune to decline. The defining story is the dramatic elevation of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has surged past perennial rating king Patrick Mahomes.

Stafford, following a commanding real-world performance (which notably included a game against the Philadelphia Eagles), saw his Overall Rating (OVR) jump by two points, hitting a staggering 97 OVR. This places the veteran quarterback firmly on the doorstep of the coveted 99 Club. Starting the season at 88 OVR, Stafford’s nine-point ascension represents one of the most significant season-long gains in the game, rivaling the trajectory of players like Jonathan Taylor.

The Unusual Downturn of Kansas City’s Elite

While Stafford`s stock is soaring, the digital fortunes of the Kansas City Chiefs` star duo have taken a rare, painful dip. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, long considered the baseline standard for digital dominance, suffered a three-point reduction, settling at 94 OVR. Simultaneously, tight end Travis Kelce dropped two points, barely holding onto a 90 OVR rating.

For a tandem that has set virtual benchmarks for years, these are the lowest OVR ratings they have seen in quite some time. The technical implication for Madden players is immediate: the game`s established meta, revolving around the absolute dominance of a max-rated Mahomes, is being fundamentally challenged. Ratings volatility, it seems, spares no one, even future Hall of Famers.

The Week`s Unsung Heroes: Brewer and Witherspoon

Beyond the quarterback drama, Week 14 highlighted crucial movements across other positions, proving that consistency in the trenches pays massive digital dividends.

The biggest OVR jump of the week belongs to Miami Dolphins center Aaron Brewer. Brewer earned a massive six-point gain, rocketing him to a career-high of 84 OVR. For dedicated Madden players, a six-point bump on the offensive line is perhaps more strategically valuable than minor shifts at skill positions, significantly improving pocket presence and run blocking efficiency.

On the defensive side, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon made a strong claim for elite status, gaining two points and officially crossing the threshold into the 90 OVR club. His ascent underscores the game`s sensitivity to high-impact defensive plays.

Conversely, not every player fared well. Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. dropped two points to 88 OVR, and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fell one point to 93 OVR, maintaining the rigorous standard of the weekly update.

Full Madden NFL 26 Week 14 Ratings Adjustments

The following technical data details the complete roster changes following the Week 14 performance analysis:

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

  • Reggie Gilliam: 83 OVR (+1)
  • Cole Bishop: 80 OVR (+1)
  • David Edwards: 79 OVR (+1)
  • Dawson Knox: 75 OVR (+1)

New York Jets

  • Jowon Briggs: 72 OVR (+1)
  • Andrew Beck: 68 OVR (-1)
  • Kiko Mauigoa: 67 OVR (+1)

New England Patriots

  • Jack Westover: 72 OVR (+1)
  • Joshua Dobbs: 68 OVR (-1)

Miami Dolphins

  • Aaron Brewer: 84 OVR (+6) (Biggest Gainer)
  • Jordyn Brooks: 82 OVR (+1)
  • Matthew Judon: 76 OVR (-1)
  • Jaylen Wright: 73 OVR (+2)
  • Greg Dulcich: 69 OVR (+2)

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Orlando Brown Jr: 78 OVR (+1)
  • Samaje Perine: 76 OVR (-1)
  • Dalton Risner: 73 OVR (+1)
  • Erick All Jr: 68 OVR (-1)

Cleveland Browns

  • Devin Bush: 86 OVR (+2)
  • Carson Schwesinger: 81 OVR (+1)
  • Harold Fannin Jr: 79 OVR (+2)
  • Shedeur Sanders: 69 OVR (+1)

Baltimore Ravens

  • Lamar Jackson: 93 OVR (-1)
  • Patrick Ricard: 82 OVR (-1)
  • Ar`Darius Washington: 79 OVR (-1)
  • Emery Jones Jr: 71 OVR (+1)

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Aaron Rodgers: 79 OVR (+1)
  • James Pierre: 77 OVR (+3)
  • Jonnu Smith: 77 OVR (-1)
  • Donald Parham Jr.: 67 OVR (-1)

AFC South

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Foyesade Oluokun: 85 OVR (-1)
  • Ezra Cleveland: 80 OVR (+1)
  • Trevor Lawrence: 78 OVR (+1)
  • Antonio Johnson: 74 OVR (+2)
  • Cole Van Lanen: 66 OVR (+2)

Tennessee Titans

  • Peter Skoronski: 81 OVR (+1)
  • Chig Okonkwo: 74 OVR (-1)
  • Kevin Winston Jr: 73 OVR (+2)

Indianapolis Colts

  • Michael Pittman Jr: 84 OVR (+1)
  • Alec Pierce: 83 OVR (+1)
  • Daniel Jones: 79 OVR (-2)
  • Jaylon Jones: 74 OVR (-1)
  • Drew Ogletree: 66 OVR (+1)

Houston Texans

  • Nico Collins: 89 OVR (+1)
  • Jalen Pitre: 84 OVR (+1)
  • Tytus Howard: 80 OVR (+2)
  • Sheldon Rankins: 79 OVR (+1)
  • Tommy Togiai: 72 OVR (+3)
  • Jake Andrews: 68 OVR (+1)

AFC West

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Ladd McConkey: 83 OVR (-1)
  • Tony Jefferson: 80 OVR (+1)
  • Quentin Johnston: 79 OVR (-1)
  • Kimani Vidal: 77 OVR (+1)
  • Mekhi Becton: 75 OVR (-1)
  • Jamaree Salyer: 70 OVR (+1)

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Raheem Mostert: 75 OVR (-1)
  • Caleb Rogers: 70 OVR (+1)

Denver Broncos

  • Bo Nix: 81 OVR (+1)
  • RJ Harvey: 78 OVR (+1)
  • Adam Prentice: 69 OVR (+1)
  • Nate Adkins: 62 OVR (+1)

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Patrick Mahomes: 94 OVR (-3) (Significant Drop)
  • Travis Kelce: 90 OVR (-2) (Significant Drop)
  • Drue Tranquill: 88 OVR (+1)
  • Nick Bolton: 81 OVR (-1)
  • Noah Gray: 75 OVR (+1)

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles

  • Cooper DeJean: 85 OVR (+1)
  • Jalen Hurts: 85 OVR (-1)
  • Jordan Davis: 82 OVR (+1)

Dallas Cowboys

  • George Pickens: 88 OVR (-1)
  • Ryan Flournoy: 75 OVR (+3)
  • Jalen Tolbert: 74 OVR (-1)
  • Markquese Bell: 72 OVR (-1)
  • Shavon Revel Jr: 72 OVR (-1)
  • Jonathan Mingo: 71 OVR (-1)
  • Kenneth Murray Jr: 67 OVR (-1)
  • Brevyn Spann-Ford: 65 OVR (+1)

Washington Commanders

  • Deebo Samuel: 82 OVR (-1)

New York Giants

  • Dexter Lawrence II: 93 OVR (-1)

NFC North

Detroit Lions

  • Jameson Williams: 84 OVR (+1)
  • Al-Quadin Muhammad: 76 OVR (+1)
  • Avonte Maddox: 73 OVR (+1)

Minnesota Vikings

  • Ryan Kelly: 91 OVR (+1)

Green Bay Packers

  • Jordan Love: 86 OVR (+1)
  • Christian Watson: 79 OVR (+1)
  • Romeo Doubs: 78 OVR (-1)

Chicago Bears

  • Joe Thuney: 95 OVR (+2)
  • Cole Kmet: 78 OVR (-1)

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • Vita Vea: 94 OVR (+1)
  • Luke Goedeke: 84 OVR (+2)
  • Christian Izien: 73 OVR (-1)

Atlanta Falcons

  • A.J. Terrell Jr: 88 OVR (-2)
  • James Pearce Jr: 77 OVR (+1)
  • Kirk Cousins: 72 OVR (-1)
  • David Sills V: 68 OVR (+3)
  • LaCale London: 67 OVR (+1)

New Orleans Saints

  • Alontae Taylor: 76 OVR (+1)
  • Taysom Hill: 74 OVR (-1)
  • Devaughn Vele: 73 OVR (+1)
  • Jordan Howden: 73 OVR (+1)
  • Tyler Shough: 73 OVR (+1)

Carolina Panthers

  • Mitchell Evans: 69 OVR (+1)

NFC West

Los Angeles Rams

  • Matthew Stafford: 97 OVR (+2) (Main Feature)
  • Kevin Dotson: 86 OVR (+1)
  • Nate Landman: 86 OVR (+2)
  • Alaric Jackson: 82 OVR (+1)
  • Poona Ford: 81 OVR (-1)
  • Steve Avila: 79 OVR (+1)
  • Coleman Shelton: 78 OVR (+3)
  • Ahkello Witherspoon: 77 OVR (-1)
  • Blake Corum: 77 OVR (+2)
  • Darious Williams: 76 OVR (-3)
  • Josaiah Stewart: 73 OVR (+1)
  • Warren McClendon Jr: 71 OVR (+3)
  • Davis Allen: 67 OVR (+1)

Seattle Seahawks

  • Devon Witherspoon: 90 OVR (+2) (Enters 90s Club)
  • Charles Cross: 83 OVR (-1)
  • Jarran Reed: 78 OVR (-1)
  • Nick Emmanwori: 78 OVR (+1)

Arizona Cardinals

  • Hjalte Froholdt: 83 OVR (-1)
  • Michael Wilson: 80 OVR (+1)
  • Will Johnson: 77 OVR (-1)
  • Darius Robinson: 70 OVR (-1)
  • PJ Mustipher: 64 OVR (+1)

San Francisco 49ers

  • None

By Oliver Brampton

Oliver Brampton, 29, originally from Bristol. Started his career with a small Counter-Strike tournament blog that he maintained in the evenings after his job at an electronics store. Now a staff journalist at ESports Daily, covering the European esports scene.

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