Madden NFL 2006 shipped in summer 2005 for the 2005 NFL season. Launch ratings are set before the season is played, so they reflect the previous year’s performance - a player’s breakout shows up in the next year’s game.
Madden NFL 06 released August 8, 2005 with Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb on the cover. EA's 99 tier ran deep: Adam Vinatieri, David Akers, Ed Reed, Jonathan Ogden, Peyton Manning, Randy Moss, Ray Lewis, and Shane Lechler.
Pittsburgh won Super Bowl XL, 21-10 over Seattle, Hines Ward named game MVP. Shaun Alexander won regular-season MVP and Offensive Player of the Year with 1,880 rushing yards and a then-record 27 rushing touchdowns. Brian Urlacher won Defensive Player of the Year, and Cadillac Williams and Shawne Merriman won the rookie awards.
Cover man McNabb tore a sports hernia, played nine games, and watched the Eagles fall to 6-10, the curse in full effect. Alexander was the season's over-delivery and earned the next year's cover, where the curse would find him too.