Bengals: Joe Mixon still cracks top ten Madden 22 RB ratings

2020 was rough for Cincinnati Bengals fans, but heads up. Running back Joe Mixon is primed to have a great year in 2021, and even the virtual NFL world is rooting for him.

Despite playing just six games last season, Mixon was included in Madden NFL 22’s top ten running backs, tied with Ezekiel Elliott for ninth at 88 overall. This places him pretty much in the same spot as last year’s rating, when Mixon was tied for seventh at 89 overall.

Mixon was one of the two injured Joe’s last season, and the fact that his rating only dropped one point suggests Madden still believes in his potential. As do we.

In 2020, Mixon recorded 428 yards and three touchdowns on 119 carries, but those numbers don’t show the extent of what Mixon can do.

Ever since joining the Bengals in 2017, Mixon has gradually risen into the premier running back club and is now considered one of the top ten backs in the league.

The most spectacular part of Mixon’s success is that it doesn’t depend on the Bengals’ team form. Whereas Alvin Kamara has Drew Brees, and Aaron Jones has a perennial Super Bowl-contending lineup behind him, Mixon has…. a weak O-line. And only recently, a promising rookie signal-caller.

Good news, Joe Mixon is still a top ten RB in latest Madden ratings

Yet Mixon remains as consistent as ever and produces team-leading numbers year after year.

When Cincinnati won just two games in 2019 (led by a revolving door of underwhelming QBs in Dalton, Finley, Driskel, and Dolegala), Mixon rushed for over 1,000 yards and five touchdowns.

In Madden 22, Mixon’s ball-carrying abilities is tied with McCaffrey at 96, and he also earned top marks in speed, acceleration, and agility. One must always take video game ratings with a heaping of salt, though. McCaffrey earned the first place RB rating and he only played in three games last season, which means injuries may not carry that much weight in Madden’s objective rating metric.

Still, Mixon’s healthy form in 2021 should be a shining beacon of light for Bengals fans. Not just a rushing threat, Mixon has also impressed in the passing game with over 1,000 career receiving yards.

With Cincinnati’s triple receiver threat of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Boyd, Mixon likely won’t need to catch the ball all that much in 2021. That suits him just fine.

Hopefully, Mixon (and Burrows) stay off the injured list this season, and Mixon’s virtual elite running back ratings will translate into his on-field success for the Bengals.