Madden Gameplay Handicap

It seems to me that there is a handicap system in the gameplay.
For example, when I'm playing a lesser opponent, or someone with a lesser team than myself, I notice that  sometimes my defense will play like complete fools even though they're really good, while his less talented defense shuts everything down. 
I notice sometimes that my run blocking will be atrocious even though I made it a point to make sure everyone in my lineup can block very well, and I have a Speed Run chemistry of 88.  

I've noticed that when I want to scramble with my QB, he will often take his first 4 steps as if he's walking in quick sand. This gives the D-Line an opportunity to sack him, even though there wouldn't have been a chance had he been running like he should.  And I'm talking about my 87 ovr Michael Vick.  93 speed, 94 acceleration, and he takes 4-5 false steps every time I try to run with him.  That makes no sense to me.

I think the gameplay system was designed to keep games as even as possible, or to control the outcome of games. I don't think the player rating really matter, because I see players with polar opposite speed ratings running the same speed constantly.

I've noticed that when I'm kicking off, my kicker runs just as fast as any of the other players on the field.  If not, faster.  My kicker has 50-something speed, and he's keeping up with the rest of the team step-for-step