There are plenty of people who think the Madden Curse is fake. Yet somehow every year fate finds a way to prove those people wrong. It could have something to do with repeatedly putting oneself in harm’s way for sport. Maybe it’s bad luck. Either way, we’re half way to fulfillment this year, as Troy Palamalu is sitting a few games. Will Larry Fitzgerald share that fate? Why not bet on it?

That’s what Playblackjack.com is asking. The site takes sportsbetting to a new level,` giving users a chance to pick the game in which Fitzgerald will meet his fate. Get it right and the payout is 9 to 1. There are quite a few games left in the season, but your cut’s pretty nice if you pick the right date. If Fitz makes it through the season, (I can’t believe I’m going to write this in its original context) all bets are off. You’ll get your money back if Fitzgerald somehow makes it through the season injury free.

Just like clockwork, the annual installment of Electronic Arts’ hugely popular “Madden” football series was released today for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii with a slew of new features. At the top of the list is an online franchise mode that lets you play a ten-season NFL schedule with up to 31 other friends, and, for the first time in the history of the franchise, online co-op. EA has also jumped on the mobile bandwagon with a custom iPhone app that can be used to update rosters on the go.

The game’s biggest strengths this year, however, are the incredible attention to detail, from the addition of a more realistic injury system (play hurt and you could risk a longer recovery) to the lifelike reactions of the players on the field and the coaches and refs on the sideline. As usual, the game isn’t perfect, but much like last year’s 20th anniversary edition, it comes pretty darn close. Check out Bullz-Eye’s full review of the game and, after you’ve had a chance to play it yourself, come back to let us know what you think.