"Madden 2005" was widely regarded as one of the finest games in the history of the franchise. With a new focus on defense and the bone-crushing hit-stick mechanic, Ray Lewis was a natural choice for the cover, curse or no curse. While Lewis did play in 15 games and recorded 145 tackles in 2004, the Ravens missed the playoffs, and Lewis suffered a broken arm and missed the final week of the season.
Though Lewis' cover season was nowhere near the disaster of Vick's, he did fail to record an interception and logged only one sack, an off year for the superstar. Still, Lewis' 145 tackles prompted some Madden fans to wonder if the curse was finally broken.