It’s no secret that my record for trying to pick NFL games is borderline awful. As the Sports Gal (wife of the Sports Guy – a link to his site appears on our page) has proven in the last two years, a complete know-nothing regarding football statistics and teams can completely obliterate an extremely knowlegdable football mind when trying to bet the spread. So to save everyone the trouble, I’m not even going to predict today’s games. Instead, I will deliver to you secrets known to a select group of individuals across the world. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: The Keys to Playing Madden Videogames Successfully!
The amount of games I’ve lost to human players in my Madden career can be counted on one hand. Only five losses in more than 200 games played – and I’ve decided it’s time to reveal how to dominate. I don’t want to die one day never having passed on my knowledge of this complex game. I’ll break down the offensive game in Madden today, and provide you with a defensive map at a later date.
OFFENSE-
1. Find the playbook for you. This may take a few hours to find, but the easiest way is to go into the practice mode and run plays from all the different playbooks. If you find one that you like, then stick to it. I’ve used the Buffalo playbook for the last four Madden games because of its mix of good running formations and singleback spread formations. The routes aren’t perfect, but I can alter those before the play, so I live with it.
2. Don’t get pass happy. Everyone I’ve played over the years starts out running the football in the first quarter, then they completely abandon it for the rest of the game. It’s like watching the Patriots play. Stick with the run people. It keeps the pressure on your opponent to make a stop, and it keeps the clock in your favor. Even if you’re down by a couple touchdowns, if you become one-dimensional, you’re going to lose.
3. Find running backs that compliment one another. The craze in the NFL today is having a two running back system. That’s exactly how it’s been in Madden for years. And what do the best running back combos in the NFL posses? A big bruiser, and a tiny speedster. 3rd down is where playing these guys becomes key. 3rd and 1 – stick the big ol’ guy in there and jam it down there throats. 3rd and 8 – that little quick guy can probably catch the ball out of the backfield, and if he makes one move to shake a linebacker, you just moved the chains. An extra secret here, if you have a Shotgun with 2RB set, get both running backs in there instead of having an RB and a FB. It’s a complete mismatch against the defense, and you’ll pick up more first downs.
4. Be a patient runner. Not every running back has 99 speed. In fact, I’ve only run into a handful of Madden running backs that check in above 97 speed. Amatuers take the handoff and immediately try to bounce it outside. That strategy can work, but you need to let your fullback get out there to make a block. My tip: Unless you are trying to go outside immediately, don’t touch your speed burst button until you spot the hole. The moment you see the hole open, hit the turbo and make for the gap. You’ll sacrafice maybe one or two homerun TD’s during a season, but you’ll see your per carry average rise drastically.
5. Stay in the pocket. Madden players have fallen in love with mobile quarterbacks. Heck, I love having a mobile quarterback, but I only run when I absolutely have to. When throwing, don’t drop back in the pocket 10-15 steps. If its a quicker throw, only back up a little bit. Go too far, and the defensive ends will run right around your tackles, and get to the QB for a big hit.
6. Audible to run plays when the D overloads. This is how you can gouge a defense – especially a computer defense. If they shift their line or linebackers over to one side leaving more blockers than defenders on one-half of the field, audible to run it at the weakness. You can do formation audibles to where you switch your play within that formation, and it doesn’t notify the defense to what you are doing, so they won’t shift back. Unless they make a freak play, you should pick up a minimum of 6 yards – and on your way to a hundo.
7. Until you’re more skilled, play a two-read passing attack. When I say two-read, I mean you should be looking at two players on the defensive side, and make your throw based on what those two do. Usually you’re going to be looking at the MLB and the LB that’s on the side of the field you plan on throwing to. In passing downs where the defense only has one LB, you can look at a safety or an inside cornerback. By watching two players, you can immediately identify whether the defensive is in man-to-man or zone coverage. Also, always have a quick option in case the other team blitzes. Even if you only gain a yard or two, it’s better than taking a bad sack.
Those are some simple rules and tips to be a more successful offensive Madden player. Implementing these basics should improve your average yards per play, and eventually, your touchdowns. The final tip that is quite obvious is avoiding turnovers. Punting is fine, but interceptions kill.
You didn’t really think I could avoid predicting the games today did you? If anyone is betting on the New England/San Diego game without inside injury information, you’re an idiot! Phillip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Antonio Gates all have injuries that could limit them today. Avoid betting at all costs!!! I’ll take the Pats 31-16. As for the Packers/Giants game, the weather is going to kill Eli I think. He has never played in a game under 20 degrees, and an NFC Championship game isn’t the time to be a rookie when it comes to cold weather. I’ll take the Packers in this game 30-20. Enjoy the day everyone!!
-CR
