Is Josh Allen the Latest Victim of “The Madden Curse”?

The Madden NFL video game series has captivated sports fans for years with its immersive gameplay. However, hidden behind the honor of appearing on its cover is an intriguing superstition known as the “Madden Curse”. Supposedly, athletes chosen to grace the game’s cover experience a decline in performance or unexpected misfortunes the next season. Despite doubts, the sequence of events involving cover athletes raises intriguing suspicions about the curse’s potential influence.

Among the players whose careers seemingly took a turn for the worse following their cover appearances, is our very own Josh Allen. Earlier this year, he became the first Buffalo Bills player to ever receive this honor. Allen earned praise as a top NFL talent over the past several years, showcasing outstanding skills, leadership, and the ability to lead his team effectively on and off the field. This year, however, has been a different story. Fans and experts alike have been questioning Allen’s performance this season, especially following Buffalo’s disappointing loss to the Denver Broncos.

History of the Madden Curse

In recent years, we haven’t really seen the effects of the Madden Curse. The latest faces to grace the Madden cover have been NFL stars like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Lamar Jackson, and even John Madden himself. But, before that, there have been numerous instances that have led people to believe in the power of the curse.

In 2016, former New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski (Gronk) was the face of Madden 17. While injuries had been a recurring issue for the Buffalo native, he faced even more after appearing on the cover. Gronk missed the the first couple games that season with a hamstring injury, returned briefly for a few games, and then took a hard hit soon after that caused a pulmonary contusion. He missed the following game due to another injury (back), which led to season-ending herniated disk surgery. The Patriots may have won the Super Bowl that year, but it was truly the start of an uphill battle for Gronk; one that would eventually end his NFL career.

In 2013, former Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson took the special edition Madden NFL 25 cover. Despite a promising start to the 2013 season, marked by a 78-yard rushing touchdown on his first carry, he grappled with a persistent foot injury throughout the first half of the season. He managed to play only 14 games, and the team’s performance declined to a 5-10-1 record after he was sidelined for the rest of the season in December due to the aggravated foot injury.

In 2012, former Cleveland Browns FB Peyton Hillis graced the Madden cover. Hillis faced early challenges before the 2011 season, dealing with contract disputes that soured relations in the Cleveland locker room. He battled health issues like strep throat and a hamstring injury, resulting in multiple game absences and a struggle to find synergy with the team. Playing only 10 games that season, he managed just 587 rushing yards, a stark decline from his impressive 2010 performance. The Browns chose not to renew his contract, and he departed as a free agent after the season’s conclusion.

In 2010, former New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees was the face of Madden 11. Although the season wasn’t a complete disappointment, Brees experienced one of his least impressive seasons. Known for his precision, the typically accurate quarterback threw twice as many interceptions as in prior years. The team’s underwhelming performance culminated in a playoff loss in the postseason’s opening week. This defeat was particularly disheartening as New Orleans fell to Seattle, marking the NFL’s first instance of a playoff appearance by a team with a losing record.

Let’s rewind to the very beginning. In 1999, former San Francisco 49ers RB Garrison Hearst was the cover of Madden NFL ‘99. Hearst established franchise records for his team, and even accomplished one of the most longspun runs in the NFL. After becoming the inaugural cover athlete for the forthcoming Madden edition, Hearst led his team straight to the playoffs. However, his fortunes took a dire turn when he sustained a severe broken ankle during the second-round game against the Atlanta Falcons. Complications after surgery resulted in the death of one of his foot bones, and initial assessments suggested a potential end to his football career. Hearst faced a two-season absence while recuperating from this unfortunate injury.

Get the picture?

Josh Allen Reawakens the Madden Curse

Today, NFL fans around the world are pointing to Josh Allen as the Madden Curse’s latest victim. Allen’s inconsistent performance this season is a definite contributing factor to the team’s 5-5 record. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback has amassed an alarming 14 turnovers in just 10 games. With three losses in the last four games, Buffalo finds itself on the periphery of the AFC playoff picture.

Josh Allen is truly playing his worst football since 2019. The Bills QB may be boasting an excellent completion percentage, but he’s turning the ball over at an alarming rating. Allen is on pace for 19 interceptions in 2023 (a career-high), while also having fumbled four times so far this season, losing three of them.

Where Can the Bills Go From Here?

If you’ve made it this far, it’s safe to assume you already heard the news of the Buffalo Bills firing Offensive Coordinator Ken Dorsey Tuesday morning. With Quarterbacks Coach Joe Brady filling in as interim OC, some believe there is still hope for the team making the playoffs this season, while others think the season is already over.

Either way, Josh Allen admitted himself following Monday night’s game that he’s “gotta play better football”. And ain’t that the truth. Whether you believe in the Madden Curse or not, the choice is yours. But, it is obvious that Josh Allen is not playing great football this season, and I’m sure we’d all love to know why.

Anyways, the clock is ticking and the playoffs are drawing nearer. Here’s to a better rest of the season, and let’s hope we can beat the Jets this time…

As always, Go Bills.

Featured Image Credit: EA Sports