NFL Jam: Who would have the best team if there was a football version of ‘NBA Jam’?

Football video games have gone downhill ever since EA Sports took over the full rights to the NFL in the virtual world, kicking the fan-favorite “NFL 2K” series to the curb and crushing football fans’ dreams around the globe.

The gaming world thrives on competition, and EA Sports has caught some flack over the years for “phoning it in” at times, knowing they’re the only way for fans to enjoy the action on the field on their Playstation, Xbox, PC or phone.

>>RELATED: ‘Madden NFL 20’ ratings: How did your favorite players and teams turn out?

But, what if there was a way to spark some interest in football video games again? What if there was a way to tackle the industry head on and add a new flavor to the gaming world?

Enter a touchdown of an idea: NFL Jam.

This idea was sparked by a recent SportsCenter tweet about the best one-two punches when it comes to linebacker-cornerback duos in the NFL, highlighting the new team of Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey out in Los Angeles for the Rams.

Everyone misses playing the classic, 2-on-2 “NBA Jam” games. Now, it’s time to reinvent the football video game as we know it, and trade in the hardwood for some turf.

>>RELATED: Pick-Six: Best NBA video games of all time

Too much work, you may say? Well, we’ve got it all covered like Stephon Gilmore for the Patriots. Too hard to think of the rules for a 2-on-2 football game? It’s time to make it simple.

Each team will get two offensive players and two defensive players in four quarters of any length the user wants. A center will be automatically factored in as a third offensive player to snap the ball and serve as a blocker.

Then, it’s on the player to decide how they want to prioritize each side of the ball. Do you want a running back that can juke out the defenders? How about a tall receiver to throw jump balls to, or a fast receiver to send on streaks against the lone defensive player covering him?

On defense, do you pick a solid pass rusher and a lockdown corner? Or, do you double up the receiver, and force a slower quarterback to make the player?

>>RELATED: ‘Madden NFL 20’ tips: Complete guide to succeed in Ultimate Team

Now that the rules are set, it’s time to take a stab at the rosters. Since this game is still in its “early development” stages, if you will, and there’s not a lot of money in the budget to dive in on in-depth rosters, we kept it simple.

Each team’s two best current offensive players and two best current defensive players made it into the game, with some liberties taken on some duos. Then, three legends (with one team featuring four) make it into the game for each team, allowing the player to pick whatever positions they want. There are two legends on one side of the ball, and one on the other, showcasing the historic priorities of each team.

Without further adieu, here’s the roster for “NFL Jam.” Who do you think would come out on top if there was a full season played?

>>RELATED: Pick-Six: Top sports video games of all time

Arizona Cardinals

Offense: Kyler Murray, Larry Fitzgerald

Defense: Chandler Jones, Patrick Peterson

Legends include: Kurt Warner, Aeneas Williams, Larry Wilson

Atlanta Falcons

Offense: Matt Ryan, Julio Jones

Defense: Isaiah Oliver, Vic Beasley

Legends include: Michael Vick, Roddy White, Deion Sanders

Baltimore Ravens

Offense: Lamar Jackson, Marquise Brown

Defense: Matt Judon, Earl Thomas

Legends include: Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Todd Heap

Buffalo Bills

Offense: Josh Allen, Frank Gore

Defense: Lorenzo Alexander, Tre’Davious White

Legends include: Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas

Carolina Panthers

Offense: Cam Newton, Christian McCaffrey

Defense: Luke Kuechly, James Bradberry

Legends include: Steve Smith, Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad

Chicago Bears

Offense: Mitchell Trubisky, Tarik Cohen

Defense: Khalil Mack, Eddie Jackson

Legends include: Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, Brian Urlacher

>>RELATED: “He’s a franchise quarterback”: Could Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky be the one to shock the NFL in 2019?

Cincinnati Bengals

Offense: Andy Dalton, A.J. Green

Defense: Geno Atkins, Dre Kirkpatrick

Legends include: Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, Lemar Parrish

Cleveland Browns

Offense: Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry

Defense: Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward

Legends include: Jim Brown, Ozzie Newsome, Otto Graham

Dallas Cowboys

Offense: Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott

Defense: DeMarcus Lawrence, Leighton Vander Esch

Legends include: Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Troy Aikman

Denver Broncos

Offense: Joe Flacco, Phillip Lindsay

Defense: Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr.

Legends include: John Elway, Terrell Davis, Champ Bailey

Detroit Lions

Offense: Matthew Stafford, Kenny Golladay

Defense: Trey Flowers, Darius Slay

Legends include: Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson, Lem Barney

Green Bay Packers

Offense: Aaron Rodgers, Davonte Adams

Defense: Za’Darius Smith, Jaire Alexander

Legends include: Brett Favre, Don Hutson, Reggie White

Houston Texans

Offense: Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins

Defense: J.J. Watt, Johnathan Joseph

Legends include: Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, Matt Schaub

Indianapolis Colts

Offense: Jacoby Brissett, T.Y. Hilton

Defense: Darius Leonard, Malik Hooker

Legends include: Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck (A special circumstance to allow a fourth legend), Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney

>>RELATED: The Patriots Wolf Pack: Evaluating Tom Brady, Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo as they look to take over the NFL in 2019

Jacksonville Jaguars

Offense: Gardner Minshew, Leonard Fournette

Defense: Calais Campbell, Marcus Peters

Legends include: Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, John Henderson

Kansas City Chiefs

Offense: Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill

Defense: Frank Clark, Tyrann Mathieu

Legends include: Tony Gonzales, Derrick Thomas, Priest Holmes

Los Angeles Chargers

Offense: Philip Rivers, Keenan Allen

Defense: Nick Bosa, Derwin James

Legends include: LaDainian Tomlinson, Kellen Winslow, Junior Seau

Los Angeles Rams

Offense: Jared Goff, Todd Gurley

Defense: Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey

Legends include: Marshall Faulk, Deacon Jones, Isaac Bruce

Miami Dolphins

Offense: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kenyan Drake

Defense: Raekwon McMillan, Xavien Howard

Legends include: Dan Marino, Larry Csonka, Jason Taylor

Minnesota Vikings

Offense: Kirk Cousins, Stefon Diggs

Defense: Danielle Hunter, Harrison Smith

Legends include: Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Alan Page

>>RELATED: Is Antonio Brown the next Randy Moss? Former Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi doesn’t agree as he and Moss react to Brown’s new deal

New England Patriots

Offense: Tom Brady, Julian Edelman

Defense: Stephon Gilmore, Jamie Collins/Dont’a Hightower (Pick your poison)

Legends include: Randy Moss, Tedy Bruschi, Ty Law

>>RELATED: New England Patriots All-Time Draft: Team reporters, NFL writers take their pick of historic Pats players

New Orleans Saints

Offense: Drew Brees, Alvin Kamara

Defense: Cameron Jordan, Marshon Lattimore

Legends include: Deuce McAllister, Joe Horn, Rickey Jackson

New York Giants

Offense: Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley

Defense: Alec Ogletree, Jabrill Peppers

Legends include: Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan, Frank Gifford

New York Jets

Offense: Sam Darnold, Le’Veon Bell

Defense: C.J. Mosley, Jamal Adams

Legends include: Joe Namath, Darrelle Revis, Curtis Martin

Oakland Raiders

Offense: Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs

Defense: Tahir Whitehead, Lamarcus Joyner

Legends include: Marcus Allen, Tim Brown, Willie Brown

>>RELATED: ‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Oakland Raiders’ Episode 5 synopsis/review: Don’t cry because the season’s over, smile because it happened

Philadelphia Eagles

Offense: Carson Wentz, Alshon Jeffery

Defense: Fletcher Cox, Malcolm Jenkins

Legends include: Reggie White, Brian Dawkins, Steve Van Buren

Pittsburgh Steelers

Offense: Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster

Defense: Devin Bush, Minkah Fitzpatrick

Legends include: Terry Bradshaw, “Mean” Joe Greene, Jack Lambert

>>RELATED: Out of Business: The full timeline of Antonio Brown’s 11-day tenure with the Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Offense: Jimmy Garoppolo, George Kittle

Defense: Joey Bosa, Richard Sherman

Legends include: Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott

Seattle Seahawks

Offense: Russell Wilson, Tyler Lockett

Defense: Jadaveon Clowney, Bobby Wagner

Legends include: Steve Largent, Marshawn Lynch, Cortez Kennedy

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Offense: Jameis Winston, Mike Evans

Defense: Shaquil Barrett, Vernon Hargreaves III

Legends include: Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, Warrick Dunn

Tennessee Titans

Offense: Marcus Mariota, Derrick Henry

Defense: Cameron Wake, Malcolm Butler

Legends include: Earl Campbell, Steve McNair, Jevon Kearse

Washington Redskins

Offense: Colt McCoy, Terry McLaurin

Defense: Jonathan Allen, Landon Collins

Legends include: Darrell Green, John Riggins, Art Monk

Like this story? Agree or disagree on the rosters? Who would have the best team? Let us know what you think on Twitter by following @SOTSports, or by heading to our Facebook page!