2023: Pre-Season Rank: #148. Peak Period: 2020-23*

Last year, we surmised that CeeDee Lamb had an excellent shot at being a first-team all-American in 2023, and he did just that with a league-leading 135 Receptions and a whopping 1,749 Yards. Lamb, who is on a three-year Pro Bowl streak, finished third in OPOY voting last year and could eventually join the elite group of Wide Receivers to win that specific accolade. 

*Lamb has only played four years.

When there’s no NASCAR racing to watch, and you don't drive race cars yourself, then the best alternative is to play a racing video game. Thankfully there are dozens of truly brilliant car racing video games at the moment, with superior graphics, more realistic handling, and better cars than ever before. We're going to take a look at five of the best car racing games, from casual pick up and play, to more in-depth career mode games. So, buckle up, it's set to be a wild ride.

Forza Horizon 5

It makes sense to start off with perhaps the most beloved car racing series of all time, Forza. The fifth instalment takes place in Mexico, with a map that's considerably bigger than its predecessor, taking you into the backstreets of quiet Mexican villages, then out into the wide open desert and through sweeping canyons. This game is perfect for those who enjoy a little variety in their racing, with straight-up racing mode, co-op mode, campaigns, stunt mode, and the seasonal championship.

You can compete in just about any vehicle you could imagine, from a souped-up pick-up truck to a state-of-the-art racing machine. This is a game that will keep you busy for hundreds of hours with the many possibilities it presents.

Mad Cars

If you're looking for something that's a bit more pick-up-and-play than Forza then Mad Cars is a brilliant choice. Mad Cars is a simple slot game developed by Push Gaming. This game invites you to a post-apocalyptic, Mad Max style environment, where you’ll be invited to drive all kinds of wacky vehicles as you watch those reels spin. If you're into cars that are as much about looks as they are about performance then you'll love these spiky, punk-styled vehicles.

In terms of gameplay, expect a five reel slot, with an option to bet from $0.10 up to $100 per spin. This is a super volatile slot, with potential for big wins, but also dry streaks, making it as exciting and unpredictable as speeding through the desert in an armoured truck.

Wreckfest

Our next choice is less about racing and more about smashing cars up. Fans of demolition derbies will love Wreckfest, a breakthrough game for PS5. In this game, you'll be invited to smash, crash, and burn in the most realistic way possible thanks to its incredible true-to-life physics engine. Like Forza, there are several different modes to choose from, which makes for varied and exciting gameplay. Install your car with reinforced bumpers and roll cages, or get in a monster truck and smash things up. The choice is yours!

NASCAR Heat 5

We love a bit of NASCAR here at Not in Hall of Fame, so it was essential to give a mention to NASCAR Heat 5, the official racing game of NASCAR. You're invited behind the wheel in this game, something that's a dream for many of us. It's up to you to use all of your racing know-how to make it to the 2020 NASCAR Cup Champions podium. You can play as a member of all of the official teams and race on more than three dozen tracks.

Dirt Rally 2

Finally, Dirt Rally 2 is the perfect game for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. This game requires you to know everything there is to know about cars and racing. You'll need to pay attention to tracks like you won't have thought possible in a game before. Hairpin bends could spell disaster for you and your car if you aren't approaching things in the right gear and at the right speed. It's a serious racing game that serious racing fans will get hours of enjoyment from.

2022: Pre-Season Rank: #126. Peak Period: 2020-23*

Joe Burrow led LSU to the National Championship in 2019 and individually won the Heisman Trophy. Taken number one in the draft, Burrow brought the Bengals closer than they have ever been to winning their first Super Bowl. Burrow is one of the best in the game, is in his mid-20s and could be the man who takes Cincinnati to a Lombardi Trophy providing he is healthy unlike last year's campaign..

*Burrow has only played four seasons.

2023 Pre-Season #121. Peak Period: 2020-23*

Jalen Hurts was the runner-up for the 2019 Heisman, and there were a few questions that surrounded him in the following draft. There should not have been. Already a Super Bowl participant and an MVP runner-up (he did win the 2022 Bert Bell Award), Hurts has an AV/G well over the MPA in his brief career, which a Quarterback will have to own over a long period of time to get into the Hall of Fame.  We are also impressed by his Rushing Touchdowns numbers, and could we see the first QB to ever rush for 100 TDs?

*His Peak Period is only four years.