The 2013 NFL regular season has come to a close. That's a sad statement to write. For 20 teams, their season has come to a close, meaning much of the Madden Next Gen team will be watching the postseason from their couches. However, there is still time to vote for players based on their Week 17 performances, which are recapped below. The race is far from over, and you can view the whole Next Gen team here for a refresher before reading on.
Top Performers
After being sidelined with a broken leg for 10 weeks, Randall Cobb returned to the starting lineup for the Green Bay Packers and made an immediate impact. He was targeted only twice, but both of those targets went for touchdowns, including the game-winner with only 38 seconds left on the clock. It was a big day for Cobb and the Packers, and his performance should help him build confidence going into the postseason, where he will face another Next Gen player who delivered in Week 17. Colin Kaepernick continued his ascent since the return of Michael Crabtree, as he threw for 310 passing yards and two touchdowns. Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers are the NFL's hottest team, having won their last six games. They'll look to continue that pace in Green Bay this Sunday. In case you forgot, the last time these two teams faced off in the playoffs Kaepernick made history by rushing for 181 yards -- the most ever by a quarterback in a game. This will be a playoff game to watch. Lastly, T.Y. Hilton is back on track to make his case as a true No. 1 wide receiver, as he hauled in 11 passes for 155 yards on Sunday. Hilton consistently found the holes in the Jacksonville Jaguars secondary, and will look to stay hot in the postseason so he and Andrew Luck can avoid being bounced in the first round for the second year in a row.
Solid Effort
Out of commission
Tavon Austin, Casey Hayward, Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Jacquizz Rodgers, Doug Martin - INJURY.
Not their best Sunday
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After his arrow seemed firmly pointed up, Ryan Tannehill struggled for the second straight week, throwing three interceptions and just one touchdown in the loss to the Jets. The Cardinals had everything to play for on Sunday against the 49ers, but Patrick Peterson only collected two tackles in the loss. Granted, the Saints won so the Cardinals' playoff future was out of their hands, but I'm sure Peterson would have like to get in on a little more of the action. Similarly, Stephon Gilmore only managed two tackles in a loss to the Patriots, after a few weeks of playing really solid football. He'll be one to keep an eye on once the 2014 NFL season rolls around.
Be sure to vote for the "Madden NFL 25" Next Gen champ! Voting for this week will open at 11:59 p.m. ET Monday, Dec. 30.
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