Madden NFL 2008 shipped in summer 2007 for the 2007 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 08 released August 14, 2007 with Titans quarterback Vince Young on the cover. Brian Urlacher, Champ Bailey, Ed Reed, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Peyton Manning were the launch 99s.
The Giants stunned New England 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII, ending the Patriots' 18-0 bid, Eli Manning named game MVP. Tom Brady won regular-season MVP and Offensive Player of the Year with a then-record 50 touchdown passes in a 16-0 regular season. Bob Sanders won Defensive Player of the Year, and Adrian Peterson and Patrick Willis won the rookie awards.
Cover man Vince Young slumped to nine touchdowns against 17 interceptions, the curse story of the year. Randy Moss was the over-delivery, catching a record 23 touchdowns in New England's perfect regular season.