Breathe easy Ravens fans, Ray Rice was knocked out of the pool for the cover of Madden 13.  I don’t consider myself a to be a very superstitious person, but I certainly buy into the Madden Curse.  Last year’s curse on Peyton Hillis was so strong that it effected Peyton Manning and Sean Payton too.

You have to assume that a curse on Ray Rice could only do bad things to future hall of famer Ray Lewis.

Rice was edged by Aaron Rodgers in the Madden cover tournament on ESPN.com.  Rodgers takes on Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson in the semi-finals.

Panthers QB Cam Newton and 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis also remain contenders for this year’s curse cover.