MS Film Room Episode 2: Beating Cover 2 With MLB in Deep Zone

In this week’s Madden School Film Room, Stickwork is going over a way to beat the cover 2 zone defense with a MLB in a deep blue zone.

This is one of the most common coverages in Madden 18 at higher levels, so you will need to have multiple ways of beating it.

All of the plays found in this Film Room Episode can be found inside of the Philadelphia Eagles offensive playbook.

Editors Note: Be on the lookout for our Madden 18 Philadelphia Offensive eBook coming in the next few weeks.

Playbook: Philadelphia Eagles

Formation: Singleback Deuce Y Flex

Play: PA Smash Mills (Main Setup)

Setup:

1. Put the A/X tight end on a streak
2. Drag or in route the X/Square receiver
3. Block the running back
4. Motion the B/O receiver to the left side of the screen

Reads:

1. The first read on this play will be the T/Triangle tight end on the curl route
2. Then look for the main target on the play the B/O receiver deep over the middle
3. If those are not there check it down to the X/Square receiver

Overview: This play is a phenomenal play. The B/O receiver is going to be open against any type of coverage the defense throws at you. Motioning him to the left side makes his route extremely effective.

Playbook: Philadelphia Eagles

Formation: Singleback Deuce Y Flex

Play: PA Smash Mills (Alternate Setup)

Setup:

1. Put the A/X tight end on a streak
2. Drag or in route the X/Square receiver
3. Block the running back

Reads:

1. Quick throw it to the B/O receiver using a low-ball pass

Overview: This is going to be used in a short yardage situation, a 3^rd and short 4^th and short when you really need to pick up short yards. This is also going to be used against Cover 2 and Cover 4 style defenses. That is when it will be most effective.

Playbook: Philadelphia Eagles

Formation: Gun Doubles Flex

Play: PA Stutter Post

Setup:

1. Put the A/X tight end on a streak
2. Drag the X/Square receiver
3. Motion the X/Square in a couple steps

Reads:

1. The first read look for the X/Square receiver on the drag route
2. Then find the Y/Triangle receiver on the post route with a low ball
3. After that look to the B/O receiver deep to the middle-left side of the screen

Overview: This play is very effective against the Tampa 2 Nickel 335 defense. There is a post going to the right of the field and the B/O receiver’s over route going to the left.

Playbook: Philadelphia Eagles

Formation: Gun Double Flex

Play: HB Base (Flip if necessary)

Setup:

1. None

Reads:

1. Follow the blockers

Overview: This run is effective against this defense because of the fact that you have a pulling guard on this play. Making this run different from other runs in the game.

Playbook: Philadelphia Eagles

Formation: Gun Double Flex

Play: HB Draw

Setup:

1. None

Reads:

1. Follow the blockers

Overview: This run is good against a Tampa 2 because the purpose of the defense is to takeaway the big play. Therefore, the defense will be back on their heels.

Playbook: Philadelphia Eagles

Formation: Singleback Y Trips

Play: Double Post

Setup:

1. Drag the A/X tight end
2. Drag the B/O receiver

Reads:

1. The first read is the B/O receiver quick on the drag route
2. Then look for the A/X tight end
3. If that is not there find the X/Square receiver on the corner route
4. Finally, look for the Y/Triangle receiver on the post over the middle

Overview: This play destroys this defense with the use of quick passing when the opponent is blitzing. Then on the left side of the screen it attacks the defense with a high-low read.

Playbook: Philadelphia Eagles

Formation: Singleback Ace Slot

Play: DBL Post

Setup:

1. Put the B/O receiver on a hitch route
2. Put Y/Triangle tight end on a drag
3. Put the A/X tight end on a streak

Reads:

1. The first read look for the Y/Triangle tight end quick over the middle
2. If that is not there look for the B/O receiver
3. Then find the X/Square receiver over the middle
4. Lastly, check to see if the A/X tight end is left open on the streak

Overview: This pass play attacks the defense both short and deep. The combination of the drag and hitch routes take the opponent’s user basically out of the play. This frees up space for the post over the middle.