The EA Sports "Madden NFL 13" cover vote is down to 16 players after more than 8.5 million votes were cast since the start of the bracket phase on March 21. Fan voting continues this week to determine the final eight players. The following are the Round of 16 matchups (ESPN).
|
ROUND TWO MATCHUPS
|
| Panthers QB Cam Newton |
vs.
|
Chargers TE Antonio Gates |
| Eagles RB LeSean McCoy |
vs.
|
Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald |
| 49ers LB Patrick Willis |
vs.
|
Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew |
| Jets CB Darrelle Revis |
vs.
|
Giants WR Victor Cruz |
| Packers QB Aaron Rodgers |
vs.
|
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch |
| Ravens RB Ray Rice |
vs.
|
Saints QB Drew Brees |
| Lions WR Calvin Johnson |
vs.
|
Texans RB Arian Foster |
| Vikings DE Jared Allen |
vs.
|
Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski |
TALKING TRASH: Jets CB Darrelle Revis and Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski made the rounds on various ESPN shows yesterday to promote the latest phase of the "Madden" tournament. Revis said he needs to beat Giants WR Victor Cruz because “we lost in the regular season to them. I gotta win” (
“First Take,” ESPN2, 3/28). Revis said of his matchup with Cruz, “Here we go again with the New York versus the New York teams.” Meanwhile, Gronkowski said, "Everybody always talks about that curse, too. I believe I had my curse already, and it was my injured ankle going into the Super Bowl. I’m done with injuries for awhile.” ESPN’s Hannah Storm said, “This is a twist: The first curse-free cover guy, that’s what he’s saying here” (
“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 3/28). Meanwhile, Texans RB Arian Foster defeated Jets QB Tim Tebow in the Round of 32 matchup. ESPN's Skip Bayless said he is "bombarded" by fans who do not like Tebow, and "those are the kind of people -- the gamers, the haters if you will -- who voted for the EA competition." Bayless: "They either say he can’t play or, ‘We’re sick of him!’ So it’s no real upset." ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith: "This is about football, and clearly, if it’s about football, (Tebow) should have lost" (
"First Take," ESPN2, 3/28).
