Last week we explored a brief guide on approaching the passing game. This week we’re going to take a look at facing the blitz in passing situations. No matter how good your team’s quarterback is, consistent pressure on the QB can turn Tom Brady into Mark Sanchez. With a lot of users complaining about Madden 17's lack of pressure generated from their front four, players have resorted to dialing up blitzes at a rate that would make the late Buddy Ryan proud. Dealing with these blitzes can be very difficult, so in this article we’ll take a look at some keys to beating the blitz and keeping the chains moving.

Pre-Snap in the Huddle

Beating the blitz starts with getting into the right play with the right personnel. Since playbooks leave a lot to be desired in Madden 17, I usually avoid passing plays where the passing concepts mirror each other on both sides of the field as well as the middle. Through some sage advice coupled with some trial and error, plays like all curls and levels have been eliminated from my playbook. Against blitzes, you most likely won’t have time to read curls on opposite sides of the field.

Taking into account down and distance, I’m creating my own passing progressions that I’ll run through again after seeing the look I’m given from the defense. Identifying the first option and my check down are two key reads. Unless the game situation is one that requires forgoing the run, keeping a back in the backfield is not only great at picking up blitzes but also at leaking out. The HB “check & release” is an underutilized option that can be effective at accomplishing just this.

Additionally, having one receiver running a streak as sort of a “bailout” route is a great idea. Throwing the ball away in Madden 17 can be tough, so why not mirror present-day NFL and heave one long hoping for a completion, a low-risk incompletion or a pass interference call. Think low risk, high reward.


Pre-Snap At The Line Of Scrimmage

The next phase of successfully beating the blitz involves looking at the line of scrimmage. I typically start my reads high, work outside and ultimately settle on the middle of the field. What does that mean you ask? It starts with the safeties as they can often dictate coverage and/or blitzes. After identifying what type of look I’m getting from the safeties -- two deep (typically X # of yards off the LOS), mixed (1 high/1 low), Cover 4 (usually spread out) -- I’m looking at the corners to see if they're in press coverage.

In this year’s iteration of Madden, the CPU loves to press their corners, creating some mouth-watering opportunities. So if I see press looks, I’ll check the coach stick ratings, specifically the “release” and “route running” matchups, to identify a mismatch keeping in mind the coverage over the top (if there is any) and the “bailout” concept mentioned above. After working outside, I head to the front seven to check their alignment. Base 4-3 defenses are a little easier to read pre-snap than 3-4 looks as that 4th/5th/6th rusher (which is often the case in Madden 17) could come from a combination of either the two outside (Sam/Joker) or inside (Will/Mike) linebackers.

If the defense is overloaded towards a side, shifting towards that side can help to pick up the extra blocker. Max protect can also help in keeping your QB upright, but in Madden most max protect plays operate off play action and involve a limited amount of players in routes -- that is unless you “hot route” your way into max protect.

After looking at the defensive alignment, pre-snap movement can be a key indicator of what’s to come. Is a safety walking up? Are any linebackers showing blitz? If you can identify where the blitz is coming from and what type of coverage the defense is in, you can move one step further in beating the blitz.


Post Snap

Once you're familiar with your routes, blocking scheme and have a read on whether or not the defense is in zone or man, it’s all about execution. If the defense is only sending five and you’re confident in your protection, you might hang tough in the pocket. But if there’s a free defender (one more than you can block), then the “hot read” should expect the ball ASAP.

Zone blitzes often leave vacated areas, so if you can hit your hot receiver before the covering defender recovers you have some potential for yards after the catch. Keeping in mind the QB drop (Madden 17 hasn't fully implemented the 3/5/7 step drops into play design but still has varied pre-loaded drops), you will most likely have to release the pass by the end of your drop. In other words, if your primary and secondary read aren’t open, hit the check-down receiver and keep the yards positive. Often I find myself getting into trouble when I get greedy and look for yards in chunks. Taking what’s given to you is a philosophy that has suited the Patriots for years, and it’s a great way to keep the chains moving in Madden 17 while also controlling the clock.

Throwing receivers open can look beautiful at times, but against blitzes you will often have to throw it a split-second earlier. This is where a number of bad things can happen (psychic All-Madden defenders, mixed zone coverages, etc.) so it’s advisable that you stick to routes such as post corners and deep outs where you can lead the wide receiver out of harm’s way. Lastly, if pressure is forcing you out of the pocket and you have a mobile quarterback, utilize the RT/R2 to escape the pocket and take off with the quarterback. Even if your quarterback isn’t a threat with his legs, moving the pocket and extending the play is a great way to pull defenders out of their assignments and create big plays downfield.


How are you finding success against the blitz in Madden 17?