Our theme teams are no longer a viable option in H2H, WL, HR etc

Theme teams always improve as the year progresses.  Better players, less holes.  Patience.

Probably depends on what you mean by compete.  With the right matchups and solid play you can get 12-14 WL wins without much trouble regardless of your team (to a point).  The higher up the ladder you mean as being competitive then yea you need a better team.  Personally if I win more than I lose I'm happy, but that is each person's personal preference.

Quote from Charmingjmor >> Quote from Coldbuckets2 >> This not necessarily true.. I’m had 2 top 100’s and I have 91 Steve Young at QB with 35/50 49ers and Barry Sanders is my RB. Don’t even have LT powered up all the way at OLB. I agree that 100% 52/52 theme teams can’t compete but a mostly theme team with other pieces definitely can. And you surely can do it without Lamar or Dickerson. Dickerson is the best for sure though

My 91 ovr team competed the same as my 94 ovr team for the Most part. I had the god squad of all god squads.. sold my team to sit on a nice coin stack for the upcoming promos.. and I still compete. Probably won’t go back to having a god squad

This is the least diversity ever.

You're a true cuck if you invest into mut21.

Quote from DjMischiefManaged >> I usually pick a theme team that makes sense for the added speed (25/50). Last year it was the falcons and this year it is the rams. After the new NFL 100 Wideouts come out, I will go (25/50) with the 49ers too. Unfortunately the Pats are never viable, because they always lack speed.

 Moss and Cooks lack speed?

Quote from Lawrence11 >> Your qb doesn’t have to be Lamar. He’s not even the best qb in mut. You can easily use Vick, Cunningham, Luck or Wilson 

 Agreed! I actually went back to Young and I like him more.

Your qb doesn’t have to be Lamar. He’s not even the best qb in mut. You can easily use Vick, Cunningham, Luck or Wilson

I usually pick a theme team that makes sense for the added speed (25/50). Last year it was the falcons and this year it is the rams. After the new NFL 100 Wideouts come out, I will go (25/50) with the 49ers too. Unfortunately the Pats are never viable, because they always lack speed.

While I agree theme is not as competitive I dont agree on the "god squad" make up.  Lamar Jackson isnt as big of a pain as he use to be as other players speed has caught up.  Also while stretch is annoying it doesnt seem as brutal as it use to be as players level up.

Disagree. My 50\50 cowboys theme team is very much competitive. 97 emmitt, 97 Irvin, and 96 cunningham cause quits before we even start sometimes lol. Defense has some holes, but if you know what you're doing you can make it work. 

I still believe in scheme over team.

I can see a theme being competitive just based on particular schemes, but it will always be a bit more of a challenge. It's odd that they started off the year with some theme focuses (extra team chems on theme builders / theme diamonds) and then nothing since then.

They don’t want you complacent with your theme team. They want you constantly chasing the beat cards. That’s why they neutered the boosts you get. That’s why they don’t give power ups to new player as frequently.

It’s by design

Quote from Im_Talkin_Trash >> With the help of DDA, I can win 12-14 WL games with my 83 (now 84) overall Bengals theme team.  You can still compete.

With the help of DDA, I can win 12-14 WL games with my 83 (now 84) overall Bengals theme team.  You can still compete.

That's false. I'm very competitive with my bucs theme team. And before I switched to bucs I was doing a redskins theme team (switching back to them this week) My RB is still clinton portis. And I still win 13-16 games. It's all about how you play and skill. Yes abilities is broken. Yes everybody runs stretch. But you can adjust and adapt. If you cant do so you shouldnt be online

Quote from Steenius >> Last year, I felt like the theme teams could keep up with the god squads with those extra boosts. 

This year, it's god squad or die. And not just any god squad. It HAS to be this god squad

QB HAS to be Lamar Jackson RB HAS to be Eric Dickerson WR don't matter because people don't use them Rushing ends HAVE to be LT + fill in your 94 CB's HAVE to be NTL and Deion

Taking all the fun out of building your own team when they made these players far better than their counterparts despite stats that can easily compare.

Tech issues, content issues, lies.

This^^^^ op hit it head on. I’m 35/50 Ravens but have Barry at RB and obviously Lamar but my Lamar is better than yours with boosts :) I’m having fun this year but have yet to win a Super Bowl. I usually have a few by December in years past but I’m really focusing on WL and solo battles atm. I play h2h like a crackhead from March through August or when they stop WL

Quote from Coldbuckets2 >> This not necessarily true.. I’m had 2 top 100’s and I have 91 Steve Young at QB with 35/50 49ers and Barry Sanders is my RB. Don’t even have LT powered up all the way at OLB. I agree that 100% 52/52 theme teams can’t compete but a mostly theme team with other pieces definitely can. And you surely can do it without Lamar or Dickerson. Dickerson is the best for sure though

 Try a dual theme team.  My main team is the Pats, but I realized early on that would not cut it, so I am now running a Pats/Rams(after running through Eagles and Lions).  93(almost 94) OVR. 25/50 on both teams to get the +1 speed.  Haven’t invested in Coach Madden, but have full Pats Balanced O to get another +1 speed for Pats Players.  Was able to fill in gaps where I am weak and still maintain at least 25/50 of each - that is my only rule..  You should try it.

Quote from grandad78 >> Quote from Uncommittedgamer >> Quote from grandad78