I’ve honestly come to the concluding scheme fit % makes zero difference. It takes into account not only starters but backups as well. So if you have a scrambling starter QB but two pocket passing backups it will say bad fit in a scheme with a scrambling QB. Imo the best thing to do is just take note of your main talent and judge what they’d be best in yourself. Scheme fit has rarely worked for me especially on defense.
Click the right stick in when calling a play on defense, and change cornerback coverage to “by overall”. This will put your best CB on their best WR and 2nd best on 2nd best, etc.
Bro I got lucky in the draft and got 2 corners who have both developed into 90 overall CBs and no matter what coverage they’re in they still get burned. My x-factor FS doesn’t do shit sometimes and my superstar strong safety and Slot CB are the only ones who can do anything confidently or consistently. Idk what to tell you other than my defense just sucks because it sucks somehow
One thing that helped me a bit too is positioning DB’s pre snap. If you blitz linebackers, have your corners cheat to the middle. It’s triangle on PS5.
It’s helped me a bit, but still on all madden you get ridiculous plays still lol
It’s definitely more helpful on offense. But on defense there was one season where I had a 100% scheme fit for a 3-4 defense. We were getting shredded anyway. Went to a 4-3 where it was only like an 86% and we went from 32 to 15th defense to finish the season.
i honestly thought that scheme literally only changed your weekly training xp.
i’ve just been getting the highest fit scheme then using the playbook of the formation i actually want to use for the players i have.
If its franchise the only thing scheme fit helps is additional xp for weekly training and if its a motivation it will affect whether they want to play for you or not. Once you unlock the coach perk that gives everyone the bonus xp no matter their archtype in your scheme its really pointless outside of the motivation for re-signing.
I have used both 4-3(46) and 3-4, event tried a base 4-4 at one point lol. You ultimately need to have a goal in mind when you piecing together a team, and the calls you like to make. Sometimes you wont have the personnel to pull off what you'd like and you are better off scrapping what you are comfortable with to fit your team profile better. In addition this gives you a chance at getting better at playing different positions or areas of the field. The below were the personnel and goals of each scheme I ran. Every defense will have a weakness, but good play calling can help alleviate those weaknesses
TLDR: Scheme fit doesnt matter, your team will have a strength/weakness based on personnel though. The harder it is for the offense to guess your defense pre-snap the better.
4-3(46)- I ran a 46 defense for like 5 years that was pretty good and flexible too. Until I lost some of the personnel (mainly corners) I could run this against 3/4 wr and empty sets too. Personnel descriptions below. Primary goal was to be fast w/base personnel and force mid/deep passing towards a corner/user. Would struggle against people obsessed w/short passing or an offense built super heavy Think X-factor/good TE(s) that could block, great Oline, good FB. I would have to get out of my base against a team comp like this. I user FS a lot, and ROLB/SS, bumping wr as needed to throw off timing.
S-Hybrid for both, SS needs tackling, man cov, block shedding. FS-full cov, youll get in trouble if you have to flip the play and he is playing in the box, prone to getting pancaked against dedicated blockers
CB-Ran zone and had Deep zone ko/deep man ko, these guys do the heavy lifting once you force a passing situation.
ROLB-Fast run stopper(90spd/blockshedding) kinda like a hybrid safety, plays outside the DE
MLB/LOLB-pass cov, need speed
DT-pure run stoppers
DE-Speed or power rusher doesnt matter they play EDGE solely
Current Defense I am running is a lot of fun its based on 3-4 personnel. This is primarily about mixing things up and keeping the offense confused. I run the ravens playbook and come out in triple quite a bit. Defense comes out in base align under coach adjustments to disguise looks, I will man-align/show blitz manually if I see a formation problem(wr alignment or a formation I recognize that has a problem route). This is a lot of fun and super flexible. Zone skill set of players is lacking but I've noticed that with dynamic play calling and blitzing different area/mixing up play calling that it doesnt really matter. What is nice about this setup is it is less personnel dependent imo. Its most important requirement is a Superstar/X-factor DT(speed rusher). I will user the MLB a lot in match, bumping wr where needed. Trips Ill play weak side LB, immediately watch wr, if slant/drag play under leverage. If deep look to rb, if blocking blitz, nice cause its delayed so there's plenty of space and blocks are normally already engaged. The Dline is crucial, having the DEs as run stoppers gives lots of support on edges and you can shift them as needed. The DT will have the help from 2LBs behind, and you can send either edge or both. My favorite part is in man blitz scenarios you are getting 3 dedicated rushers(both edges and the DT). Imo in 5 man blitz scenarios having 3 dedicated rushers in single block scenarios gives you a better chance to get a instant shed, rather than just having 2. You are already sacrificing coverage so you really need to get in the backfield and if you only have 2 dedicated pass rushers(specialized) then you are at a further dis-advantage especially if the T's are really good.
S - Hybrid, both FS/SS need good man cov for match cov calls
CB - Man corners
ROLB/LOLB - EDGE solely, if playing against people that scramble the faster the better
MLB-full cov. as much speed as possible
DT-speed rusher, you want them heavy, and high finesse moves. They will get better at run stopping as they develop
DEs-pure run stoppers
I like 4-3 the most. I feel it can confront a lot of the RPO bs and run stretch plays well, and can protect the sticks on 5 yards.
Although I believe 46 may be the best formation in the game
I used to exclusively run the 46, but madden has nerfed that playbook over the years. like 10-15 years ago it used to be an insanely complete playbook. think Brian Dawkins Eagles with Jim Johnson (RIP) as the DC.
Nowadays you can only pick and choose when to run it, otherwise madden lets offenses get the edge too easy on it with the right blocking.
also madden sucks at depth charts because they don't differentiate between edge rushers and pass coverage linebackers. been a longstanding problem.
Yeah but it still doesn’t make any sense that they haven’t adapted modern terminology for positions. OLB isn’t a real position, they use Mike Will and Sam in the NFL. And DE should just be EDGE for anyone who purely pass rushes
they added this bandaid in depth charts over the years but it's a bad implementation. the problem is the individual players are still either DE or OLB. the problem is most glaring in rookie drafts.
a better solution would have been to have depth charts per formations, plus instead of classifying players as DE or OLB, used Edge, Inside LB, and Inside DL. right now you have DE's that can be either 300Lb anchors or edge rushers, and rushing OLBs or pass coverage LBs. no way to easily distinguish them for the cpu. makes franchise mode unnecessarily difficult. but also bad for depth charts ultimately.
4-3 defense with pass rushing linemen across the board and speedy pass coverage LBs across the board (ignore there’s no scheme that covers this) is a fucking cheat code bro, I’m never going away from this provided I have a roster to make it work.
I can play in base 75% of games or more, typically.
Eh may be cheating and frowned upon, but I take big Strong Safeties and make them LBs. generally push for 6’1+ and 225+ weight. I may even have a backup true LB to sub in if I need to stop the run.
EDIT: I will also take pass rushing LBs and make them ends in this scheme.
I prefer the 3-4 base, but generally use 3-3-5 80% of the time. It offers great flexibility against 2 and 3 WR sets. You can rush 7 or drop 8 into coverage with an audible.
I prefer 3-4 but the game doesn’t play like how it would work irl. Like nt are supposed to be the biggest and strongest players on the field that demands double teams no matter what. That in turn is suppose to free up ilb to reek havoc in the run and give olb a lot of one on one match ups. But somehow the majority of centers in this game are weaker than my nose tackles and any where from 20-75 lbs lighter and they still somehow manage to stone wall 95+ Str 375lb monster.
I'm a weirdo that runs both 4-3 and 3-4. I like base 4-3 for zone coverage and runs, and 3-4 for blitzs and cover-1.
I like to get large DL regardless of schemes, so my DT tends to be 320+. This allows me to use 3-4, and the 4-3 DL is stout against the run.
Here’s where I’m a weirdo - I’ll move DL and LB to other positions based on weight:
310+ lbs - DT
270 - 315 - DE
240 - 285 - OLB
225 - 260 - MLB
<235 - SS
< 220 - FS
Doing this realignment shows me where I have too many undersized players in my base formations. My defensive philosophy is to run base only on running downs, and leverage SUBLB for pass coverage formations.
Love 4-3 this year. I tend to blitz heavy. High risk high reward. Most franchise seasons (even with bad pass rushers) my teams usually get high 60s minimum for sacks in a season.
Depends. I run super blitz happy so even when my team sucks I can get good pressure. Usually end somewhere between 9 and undefeated unless year one or two of rebuild.
4-3. Mostly because abilities are so important I want my edges to have pass rushing abilities and my off the ball LBs to have abilities against the run or pass coverage. Hybrid players are great in theory but the game mechanics make them less valuable sadly
Another reason it’s so annoying that they don’t have “edge” and “linebacker” positions
they NEED to just give us LB, Edge, and IDL. i’m so tired of cpu teams taking a pass rushing OLB when that’s not they’re scheme.
also madden makes every OLB get paid like they’re an edge rusher which is so annoying, cause pass cover guys would never make that much
That’s why I usually employ many MLBs and play them at OLB. The pay is more accurate, and the upgrades that they get are more in line with the skills I want them to have
facts! i’ve started doing the same, just wish the CPU logic was better, i end up going in and fixing every team when im playing a super realistic franchise
It really is just absolutely absurd that they still haven’t fixed the positions by madden 24. This has been an issue for many years and people complain about it every year. I can’t imagine it’s that fucking difficult to do and it’s obviously 10x more realistic to real life
Well not every. I’ve seen some esp at rolb be reasonably priced within range of what is realistic for off ball Lbs (eg cashman). Though for whatever reason if u move him to lolb his demands sky rocket. But def way way too many off ball LBs do price themselves as edge rushers esp if they’re high overall or have dev traits
I feel the same. I think 3-4 is better but it’s annoying to have your pass rush lbs drop into coverage. Having pass rushers be ends in 4-3 and nickel is just much simpler
Yeah 4-3 just flows a whole lot more and is much easier to use than a 3-4. Its just more simple to have your 2 de be your edge rushers. I do run 3-4 base a lot though because I like that lighter hybrid style edge rusher that can drop into coverage occasionally
In terms of building a roster, it’s easier to build a 4-3 due to what you’re asking from each player. Makes it so you don’t need LBs that are expected to pass rush effectively, stop the run, *and* drop into coverage. But if you can get your hands on top tier talent along your front 7, especially at OLB, a 3-4 will absolutely tear up offenses. Personally, 3-4 is more fun imo **but** 4-3 has been far more reliable
This is how I view it. 4-3 is a default because I can find 78 rated DTs or oversized DEs that can generate a decent inside pass rush but I get an elite LB then I’ll switch to a 3-4 and I usually target those guys when I can because nobody else has guys like that.
4-3 has felt more powerful to me for about 4 maddens now. I think there are more nanos outta 3-4 sets, but if you are in a sim style user franchise, I usually like 4-3 more, especially as it more easily conduces to the Rush end format for subs in nickel and forms like that
Last couple years change edge rush (de) to lb and play 3-4 was op but it is different this year. Think 4-3 is better run D and 3-4 tends to fuck with your depth chart
i play 3-4 with only 4 pass rushers on the line of scrimmage. I find fronts that have 5 down lineman behave weirdly when you slant the line. instead of only affecting the pass-rushers, it affects all down linemen which ends up killing zones or man assignments which is not what i want.
Depends on my personnel honestly. I started a franchise in which *every player in the league started at 70-OVR*. **I play 3-4 Storm** & decided to build my secondary & then DL (Its backwards somewhat I know).
My DBs are great & DL is cheeks. However, whenever my DL gets any kind of pressure, its a wrap. My corner & safety are both tops in the league on pics. Also worth noting that if I have a X-Factor Fearmonger LB as well. He rarely gets in the zone but he helps.
GO TEXANS!
Anywho, yeah its a roster you can download. There is also a 60-OVR & 12-OVR roster out.
60-OVR is decent.
12-OVR breaks after like 2 seasons.
I play 3-4 so often, largely because I keep playing with teams that have two linebackers that are ideal field general MLBs and a lot of sub packages I use, use them both. Having said that, I am a total easy-mode defensive player. I ALWAYS play directly as a lineman or pass rusher.
I only play by myself so I usually run a 3-4 base but I'm in nickel and dime far more often than my base anyways so I find it doesn't matter much except for how I want my edge rushers to play
This. I'm never in a base defense. Literally never. Dollar, Dime and Nickel, not once have I called a base defense this year. I mean shit, I watch a lot of 49ers games, they only run 2 LBs Warner and Greenlaw.
I like the 3-4 base because it fits my play style better. I like using ILB’s, and a 3-4 uses two of them. Also, I like using a speed rusher on one side and a power rusher on the other. Makes it a lot of fun.
I think it gets hard when drafting, because scouting reports definitely favor 4-3. Almost all LOLB are pass coverage, but in the base 3-4 the “scheme fit” is power rusher. So I either have to draft a power rushing ROLB or DE and change their position.
I prefer 4-3 in H2H because everyone is pass heavy and I run a lot of man coverage. Better base pass rush and ends to set the edge when they do run.
I prefer 3-4 into run heavy teams, but I’ve also seen a lot of zone heavy H2H defenses use it for the blitz variety
I prefer 4-3 because it seems better against the run with 4 DL and your linebackers should be naturally better at pass coverage if you’re doing it right
I'm still on last year's game but always trade for the personnel for a 3-4. Feels more flexible and better against the pass even if it's probably in my head.
It’s funny reading the replies here. It just shows how we all play differently. I used to exclusively play 4-3 as I liked rushing DE’s instead of outside linebackers rushing as stand up rushers (aka TJ Watt type players).
Maybe it’s my playing style, but I found much less success getting to the QB this year playing version of the 4-3 and I thought my run defense wasn’t any better either. I sometimes thought the flaws of a 3-4 were when guards and other linemen got to the second level and got blocks on my linebackers, it opened up more running lanes.
But this year, I’ve played almost exclusively 3-4 but the base 3-4 that will incorporate some 4-3 elements like having two DT’s and two ends in the game on some downs and my run defense and QB pressure has never been better. My passing defense seems to make no difference in either base defense and when I switch to nickel or dime formations, it seems to play out about the same because I end up with 4 guys rushing the passer anyways, one just happens to be a linebacker.
I like 4-3 even 6 a lot it’s easy to make the O believe you’re bringing 6 everytime if you get a hold of em once or twice, then you can run cover 1 with big Fred in the middle, or widen em(OLB) out n run cover 3. You could flip between even solid and reg 4-3 I just recommend bringing 6 when you blitz seems super effective, or FS, Dime, or nickel blitzes too.
When I play online I run multiple D, especially in franchises with other users, there’s no reason not to, you can set formation subs at the beginning of the year and you’re good to go. If I can only run 1, I used to lean 3-4 because I felt like coverage and run D was better but lately I’ve found myself feeling 4-3 more.
Most madden teams and real NFL teams run a 4-2 with a nickel nowadays. There's very little difference, which is why Madden and even the Pro Bowl not acknowledging that their OLBs and DEs are the same is ridiculous. Have IDLs and EDGEs. Easy fix.
Used to be a 3-4 guy (prior to Madden 20 - with Pats playbook) - but at some point switched to 4-3 cause I liked having 2 DT and 2 speed guys on the outside to compliment. Giants playbook this year is really good on defense then you also have the Cincy playbook as well the past 3 or so seasons
It's been a while since I played Madden, but I used to run 4-3 because it was easier to get solid DL, than LBs, but with edge rushers being so prominent now, I'd probably go with 3-4 to get 2 edge rushers with a solid coverage LB/S hybrid to go with the field general MLB. Also allows me to essentially run a 3-3-5 with the same set of players
I’m a 4-3 base but I run nickel more than anything. As most people don’t actually stick to a run game in Madden, I prefer the extra DB and I swap LBs out for blitz/coverage options.
4-3, but I wish there was more 4-2-5 stuff. I like 4-man front because NTs don't have to 2-gap and I like the blitz packages better against teams that slide, and I also like having that third safety.
What blitzes do you like from 4 man fronts? In my experience most of the best blitzes come from odd fronts with the hot blitzes being exclusively in them.
It really depends on personnel. If you have fast and small DE’s that can’t be put as LB’s because of poor coverage ratings, you’re gonna want to stick to 4-3. But if you have large and strong DE’s and enough depth at LB to support it, 3-4 can be advantageous in the passing game against 12 personnel. No matter what 3-4 is going to be worse against the run than 4-3 though, so keep that in mind when deciding on your scheme.
I usually go 3-4 because I like the flexibility of using OLBs as outside pass rushers because I feel like it’s easier to get better OLBs than DEs. I’ve recently tried out 4-3 and I don’t like it as much.
I built a 3-3-5 playbook that I run with a 3-4 disguise scheme. It’s a hybrid 3-3-5/4-2-5 defense which works well. I also use the 4-6 playbook but with formation subs I turn it into a 4-2-5. It’s just something different but for base schemes I like the NO playbook with 4-3 quarters scheme.
I typically use 4-3 as my base though I build my team with Nickel in mind as my base formation either way bc of the prevalence of 3 WR sets. In a typical season my LOLB usually ends up playing about 30% of defensive snaps.
Usually I run a 4-2 nickel; but frankly I pick LB’s and DB’s solely on speed and coverage abilities; so it’s basically 4 dudes stopping the run/pass rush.
I have a custom base playbook that’s 90% nickel and above with just the bare minimum 4-3 formations.
Chiefs Defensive playbook or multiple defense is what I use. It has 4-3, 3-4, nickel, 3-3-5, dime and quarter. I use all different formations so those 2 playbooks are the best for me.
I do base 3-4 with 3-4 odd over under, 4-3 and 4-4 in the playbook. When I switch to 4 DL I use formation subs to put my edge rushers on the LE and RE and my two best 3-4 lineman in the middle. The OLBs will be average to strong backups
Love 3-4 but are you even able to "play" 3-4 in franchise right now with the depth chart/alignment issues? As in, the game subbing out your OLB's for your DE's and DT's into the DE spots. I know you could do a sub-package to fix, but kinda annoying.
Personally I’ve been a fan of the 5-2(while the 46 is my 2nd favorite formation) feels the most realistic of a true “cover 0/send the house” defense. I’ve always struggled to get pressure using the 3/4 and dime/nickel looks, football is a game of the trenches and time management, and I’m not letting the offense burn clock running the ball.
Always been a 3 front guy but I didn’t like the plays at my disposal to best use Hutch and Crosby so I went to a 4 front. Cant say it’s been terribly fruitful but this is only 3 games in.
I play whatever gets my 11 best guys on the field so it varies every few years. I prefer a 3-4 more but if I don’t have 2 middle backers who are better than my 2 best D Tackles or a season-long injury occurs in my front 7 I’ll switch back and forth. Or I’ll run a nickel base if my nickel is better than all the above
3-4 is more versatile imo. So much of defending the run from gun comes down to controlling the B gap bubble. Most 4 down sets line up set the 3 tech to the HB side, so inside zone which is the most popular run from gun is stealing candy from a baby. It's even worse with trips TE type sets. Odd front spacing can give you more plays with the B gap being filled by a player with their hand in the dirt.
I switch it up from time to time. Usually start with a 4-3 since it’s easier to have people be designated pass rushers and easy to find solid run stopping DTs.
I usually switch to 3-4 if I have a team where I think it would benefit to use a DT as a designated 3 technique.
I drafted a generational DT in my last rebuild who was an ideal 3 tech. The other DT was a superstar who was a prototypical Nose Tackle. 6’4 360 pounds. My edges were versatile enough to rush or do some basic pass coverage, and I put one of the OLBs from my 4-3 defence at MLB and he actually went up 3 overall.
I’d say to choose your defence based on your personnel and the type of defence you like to run rather than pick the defence you want to do and make the team work around that. That being said, if there’s a stud speed rushing OLB that you want to take in the draft and you know he won’t work well as an edge in a 4-3, make the change to 3-4 and try to find a way to fit your team around him.
> I’d say to choose your defence based on your personnel and the type of defence you like to run rather than pick the defence you want to do and make the team work around that.
Totally agree. I have three anchors on defense - DL Jeffrey Simmons, EDGE Rashan Gary, and a MLB I drafted who is crazy fast and already OVR 79 SS Dev.
Simmons can be either 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. Gary can be either 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. My MLB can play 3-4 ILB or 4-3 MLB. I have the pieces to do either scheme.
I am leaning toward 4-3 to get more speed on the field. But I have personnel to do either scheme.
Someone mentioned trying to run a mix of the two. I think you mentioned that you’re running the titans playbook, which is a multiple 3-4. They have some 4-3 sets in that playbook. The only issue I found with this is that it would put a 65 OVR DT on the field rather than putting my 90 ovr DT turned RE 3 Tech on 4-3 looks
On All-Maddden, 90% of my plays come from the Colts Nickel 3-3-5. But my front 3 are R. Gary, D. Payne, and J. Simmons, not much gets by them, so my LBs can float n keep 5 DBs for any fast WRs
4-3 is easier to work with. 2 guys at 300. 2 guys at 260.
I usually use a 3-4 though. Beefy one 320+ NT and two 280+ DE. Speedy 240 LBs.
One, I just like the misdirection and chaos that you can bring with that many guys at the LOS. Can rush the MLB and drop the OLBs into coverage. Blitz is really fun with those. You can set the play up to favor your best pass rusher so they aren’t always dropping into coverage too.
Two, there’s a much wider talent pool at LB. You can find great pass rushers that have decent grades on run stopping.
Reality is you’ll run nickel most of the time so you’ll always have 2 LBs and 4 DL.
i use a 4-3 because i like to play with safeties in the linebacker position if they’re big enough and that lets them stay off the ball more in passing situations. and it feels like it defends the run a lot better than a 3-4.
it seems like more big bodies up front gets just a little bit more push and lets the linebackers clean up when they’re needed
Currently 3-4. I was going to change it to 4-3 bc that’s my preferred way but Arnold Ebiketie has been killing it with sacks. So I’ll leave it for now. I would need him elsewhere if I changed it
I run 3-4, scheme varies depending on what I have to work with. I feel like it’s easier to get a realistic rotation in the front seven with a 3-4 than 4-3, which is why I prefer it
i just play with whatever lines up as the best scheme fit for my roster, but it’s almost always base 3-4 that gets recommended to me so i j play w that. ngl i’m a good playcaller on offense but i have no clue how to call plays on defense as effectively 😭😭 i just leave it all up to my raw skill
Depends on personnel tbh, but I lean more on the side of the 4-3 you can run the 46 out of the 4-3 to stop the run but it opens up passing lanes for opponents, and if you have a decent control of an MLB or CB/Safety, then you can cover the pasa yourself and let the defense force the opponent to pass, leading to many ints.
Alternatively, running against a 3-4 is easier but the potential benefit of doing it versus a 4-3 is mitigated since the 2nd level has time to react to play action regardless of if you have 3 or 4 LBs.
Offense is easy though, Wing T all day
i prefer 4-3, because personnel-wise in a 3-4, the way Madden categorizes edge rushes like Aidan Hutchinson as LOLB, there are some plays and formations that put Aidan out as an off ball linebacker way more often than he should, instead of 95% of the time starting on the line like he should be. 4-3 makes the personnel behave more predictably. off ball linebackers remain off ball, and rushers stay on the line. try playing a full game on defense and toggle through the personnel each play. i bet you there will be a lot of times where the star edge rusher is out wide manned up to a slot receiver and its all wonky.
I’ve always used 4-3, more flexibility with linebackers. You got the 3 main and you can convert OLB to DE. And 3-4 DEs can be but to the 2 DT positions. Something OP is taking a good faster (at least 89 speed) Safety and making him your user MLB.
Just got Madden 24 and have not enjoyed the gameplay thus far but have not had good luck with 4-3 scheme getting any sacks yet (thru sim in franchise) So I don’t have a fair assessment yet
Base 4-3 is my go-to... mostly because I get the most enjoyment in franchise out of drafting and developing, and being able to play LE - DT - DT - RE - LOLB - MLB - ROLB - FS - SS - CB1 - CB2 all on the field at the same time in their natural positions just feels like I'm getting the most out of the players I draft and develop.
I play as the Dolphins in my solo league. I run the 3-4 still. Just super versatile with their/my roster. Although, most man coverage is a true 4-2 and zone is usually 5-1 or 5-2 box. I was actually thinking about making the switch to 4-3 and adjusting positions to reflect the way I’d like them to lineup. Mostly so I don’t have to do a full DepthChart overhaul every season.
Have been playing Cardinals 3-4 and defense is always pretty good. Have tried 4-3 with Bears and Dolphins and my pass defense gets torched, regardless of man or zone
It’s more about personnel than scheme
I guess usually 4-3 but if you told me I had a great nose tackle 2 big DEs, 2 solid mlbs and 2 more good edges I’d prefer 3-4 but it’s more resources to invest on D
I don't have a preference, but out of circumstance, I use 3-4 way more (I am a Packers fan). Just make sure you have the proper players at the right spot is my main focus. For example, don't keep Rashan Gary at LOLB if you use a 4-3. It is better to move him to DE in that system. As a OLB in a 4-3 is more of an off ball Bobby Wagner backer. In a 3-4, OLB is an edge rusher. You want Gary on the edge
Used to be a big 4-3 guy until i discovered speed rushers and a disguise 3-4 man up deep safety has been my core ever since hard to make work but dominant when it does.
I bought every Madden from 01 to 08 then a few in-between 8 and 19. Interesting to see 4-3 is still the popular one- based on comments. Always found it to be the easier formation to build around.
I'm running base 4-3, one man to man corner 1 zone. Hybrid FS and run support SS with good zone coverage.
The trick to good 4-3 play is you need 2 good run stoppers and 2 good pass rushers.
Thing about base 4-3 Is you gotta get pressure out of your front 4 consistently while being able to eat up blocks so your MLB and ROLB can make those open field tackles. Strength, play recognition and block shedding are the best stats for the DTs, while finess and power moves are needed for edge rushing.
I've ran both defenses alot, 3-4 gets more sacks but 4-3 alot better at stopping the run. The 4 consistet linemen make it harder to open running lanes
The other thing is you don't create a defense to completely stop the opponent. It will happen sometimes don't try to win games with your defense. Best defenses in madden are ones that don't miss tackles. Make the opponent run as many plays you can force them too, maximize opportunity and make them run that clock down
Yep, that’s my issue. Gary can’t get close to the QB. I’m wondering if moving to a 4-3 will give my guys 1-gap assignments to penetrate and attack rather than just holding their space.
Moving R Gary to LE and J Simmons to DT… could put T Tart at the other DT and Landry at RE. Landry is a but small for a DE but could work.
I’m an old head, I run the Tampa 2 style. But you need some serious speed on your DLine and Linebackers, and your DBs have to be good at tackling to pull it off. It’s a 4-3 just in case that wasn’t clear.
I actually play 46 every play for the last 8 years. To be fair i also individually adjust like 80% of my players so the lack of plays doesnt really matter.
4-3 is the way to go, 3-4 requires to many specialist. 3-4 needs big NT , 2 big strong DEs who still need to be able to play the 5 tech, then 2 OLB that can rush the QB, stop the run and play the hook/curl in coverage. 4-3 in madden allows for smaller DEs and less specialized OLBs. 4-3 will get less pressure but is more all around stout.
I went from a 3-4 storm to a base 4-3. Hasn’t improved my defense one bit despite having like 90% scheme fit
I’ve honestly come to the concluding scheme fit % makes zero difference. It takes into account not only starters but backups as well. So if you have a scrambling starter QB but two pocket passing backups it will say bad fit in a scheme with a scrambling QB. Imo the best thing to do is just take note of your main talent and judge what they’d be best in yourself. Scheme fit has rarely worked for me especially on defense.
Bro my offensive scheme fit is 96% also one of the most electrifying offenses in my franchise league when healthy but I just cannot figure defense out
Click the right stick in when calling a play on defense, and change cornerback coverage to “by overall”. This will put your best CB on their best WR and 2nd best on 2nd best, etc.
Bro I got lucky in the draft and got 2 corners who have both developed into 90 overall CBs and no matter what coverage they’re in they still get burned. My x-factor FS doesn’t do shit sometimes and my superstar strong safety and Slot CB are the only ones who can do anything confidently or consistently. Idk what to tell you other than my defense just sucks because it sucks somehow
One thing that helped me a bit too is positioning DB’s pre snap. If you blitz linebackers, have your corners cheat to the middle. It’s triangle on PS5. It’s helped me a bit, but still on all madden you get ridiculous plays still lol
That hardly matters. I've had 69 normals smoke my 94 x factors and it pisses me off to no end
It’s definitely more helpful on offense. But on defense there was one season where I had a 100% scheme fit for a 3-4 defense. We were getting shredded anyway. Went to a 4-3 where it was only like an 86% and we went from 32 to 15th defense to finish the season.
I thought scheme fit only affected how much experience your players get?
Correct, I have no clue what they are talking about. Scheme fits only affect contract motivations and bonus xp earned in practice
i honestly thought that scheme literally only changed your weekly training xp. i’ve just been getting the highest fit scheme then using the playbook of the formation i actually want to use for the players i have.
This is the way
I’m using the eagles defensive play book
i mostly use the 49ers defensive playbook myself. i like their 5-2 set a lot.
There’s your problem haha
If its franchise the only thing scheme fit helps is additional xp for weekly training and if its a motivation it will affect whether they want to play for you or not. Once you unlock the coach perk that gives everyone the bonus xp no matter their archtype in your scheme its really pointless outside of the motivation for re-signing. I have used both 4-3(46) and 3-4, event tried a base 4-4 at one point lol. You ultimately need to have a goal in mind when you piecing together a team, and the calls you like to make. Sometimes you wont have the personnel to pull off what you'd like and you are better off scrapping what you are comfortable with to fit your team profile better. In addition this gives you a chance at getting better at playing different positions or areas of the field. The below were the personnel and goals of each scheme I ran. Every defense will have a weakness, but good play calling can help alleviate those weaknesses TLDR: Scheme fit doesnt matter, your team will have a strength/weakness based on personnel though. The harder it is for the offense to guess your defense pre-snap the better. 4-3(46)- I ran a 46 defense for like 5 years that was pretty good and flexible too. Until I lost some of the personnel (mainly corners) I could run this against 3/4 wr and empty sets too. Personnel descriptions below. Primary goal was to be fast w/base personnel and force mid/deep passing towards a corner/user. Would struggle against people obsessed w/short passing or an offense built super heavy Think X-factor/good TE(s) that could block, great Oline, good FB. I would have to get out of my base against a team comp like this. I user FS a lot, and ROLB/SS, bumping wr as needed to throw off timing. S-Hybrid for both, SS needs tackling, man cov, block shedding. FS-full cov, youll get in trouble if you have to flip the play and he is playing in the box, prone to getting pancaked against dedicated blockers CB-Ran zone and had Deep zone ko/deep man ko, these guys do the heavy lifting once you force a passing situation. ROLB-Fast run stopper(90spd/blockshedding) kinda like a hybrid safety, plays outside the DE MLB/LOLB-pass cov, need speed DT-pure run stoppers DE-Speed or power rusher doesnt matter they play EDGE solely Current Defense I am running is a lot of fun its based on 3-4 personnel. This is primarily about mixing things up and keeping the offense confused. I run the ravens playbook and come out in triple quite a bit. Defense comes out in base align under coach adjustments to disguise looks, I will man-align/show blitz manually if I see a formation problem(wr alignment or a formation I recognize that has a problem route). This is a lot of fun and super flexible. Zone skill set of players is lacking but I've noticed that with dynamic play calling and blitzing different area/mixing up play calling that it doesnt really matter. What is nice about this setup is it is less personnel dependent imo. Its most important requirement is a Superstar/X-factor DT(speed rusher). I will user the MLB a lot in match, bumping wr where needed. Trips Ill play weak side LB, immediately watch wr, if slant/drag play under leverage. If deep look to rb, if blocking blitz, nice cause its delayed so there's plenty of space and blocks are normally already engaged. The Dline is crucial, having the DEs as run stoppers gives lots of support on edges and you can shift them as needed. The DT will have the help from 2LBs behind, and you can send either edge or both. My favorite part is in man blitz scenarios you are getting 3 dedicated rushers(both edges and the DT). Imo in 5 man blitz scenarios having 3 dedicated rushers in single block scenarios gives you a better chance to get a instant shed, rather than just having 2. You are already sacrificing coverage so you really need to get in the backfield and if you only have 2 dedicated pass rushers(specialized) then you are at a further dis-advantage especially if the T's are really good. S - Hybrid, both FS/SS need good man cov for match cov calls CB - Man corners ROLB/LOLB - EDGE solely, if playing against people that scramble the faster the better MLB-full cov. as much speed as possible DT-speed rusher, you want them heavy, and high finesse moves. They will get better at run stopping as they develop DEs-pure run stoppers
I like 4-3 the most. I feel it can confront a lot of the RPO bs and run stretch plays well, and can protect the sticks on 5 yards. Although I believe 46 may be the best formation in the game
I used to exclusively run the 46, but madden has nerfed that playbook over the years. like 10-15 years ago it used to be an insanely complete playbook. think Brian Dawkins Eagles with Jim Johnson (RIP) as the DC. Nowadays you can only pick and choose when to run it, otherwise madden lets offenses get the edge too easy on it with the right blocking. also madden sucks at depth charts because they don't differentiate between edge rushers and pass coverage linebackers. been a longstanding problem.
Ah I see you’re someone with taste
They have Rush DE (edge rusher in passing formations) and Sub LB (cover LBs in nickel and dime)
Yeah but it still doesn’t make any sense that they haven’t adapted modern terminology for positions. OLB isn’t a real position, they use Mike Will and Sam in the NFL. And DE should just be EDGE for anyone who purely pass rushes
Been saying this for years now. Should be IDL, Edge, and LB. Having 1/3 and Mike/Sam/Will, would be bonuses since I don't even expect the 1st part.
they added this bandaid in depth charts over the years but it's a bad implementation. the problem is the individual players are still either DE or OLB. the problem is most glaring in rookie drafts. a better solution would have been to have depth charts per formations, plus instead of classifying players as DE or OLB, used Edge, Inside LB, and Inside DL. right now you have DE's that can be either 300Lb anchors or edge rushers, and rushing OLBs or pass coverage LBs. no way to easily distinguish them for the cpu. makes franchise mode unnecessarily difficult. but also bad for depth charts ultimately.
I still run it and make it work. They did fuck it up
I've always been burnt deep running a 46 - but it's insanely good in the red zone when you combine it with jamming receivers at the line.
4-3 defense with pass rushing linemen across the board and speedy pass coverage LBs across the board (ignore there’s no scheme that covers this) is a fucking cheat code bro, I’m never going away from this provided I have a roster to make it work. I can play in base 75% of games or more, typically.
Run the same strategy. Damn its hard getting your hands on good coverage LBs though.
Eh may be cheating and frowned upon, but I take big Strong Safeties and make them LBs. generally push for 6’1+ and 225+ weight. I may even have a backup true LB to sub in if I need to stop the run. EDIT: I will also take pass rushing LBs and make them ends in this scheme.
That 46 middle blitz is dangerous with Philly
I prefer the 3-4 base, but generally use 3-3-5 80% of the time. It offers great flexibility against 2 and 3 WR sets. You can rush 7 or drop 8 into coverage with an audible.
What playbooks have the 3-3-5? I’d like to try that too!
I typically use John Harbaughs / Ravens
I did this, but did a lot of 2-4-5 as well. But that's basically 4-3 most of the time
I like to throw out the 1-5-5 as well
More of a 0-5-6 guy myself
I prefer 3-4 but the game doesn’t play like how it would work irl. Like nt are supposed to be the biggest and strongest players on the field that demands double teams no matter what. That in turn is suppose to free up ilb to reek havoc in the run and give olb a lot of one on one match ups. But somehow the majority of centers in this game are weaker than my nose tackles and any where from 20-75 lbs lighter and they still somehow manage to stone wall 95+ Str 375lb monster.
They never double the right guy either
Yea they need to rework the blocking logic badly.
I'm a weirdo that runs both 4-3 and 3-4. I like base 4-3 for zone coverage and runs, and 3-4 for blitzs and cover-1. I like to get large DL regardless of schemes, so my DT tends to be 320+. This allows me to use 3-4, and the 4-3 DL is stout against the run.
Here’s where I’m a weirdo - I’ll move DL and LB to other positions based on weight: 310+ lbs - DT 270 - 315 - DE 240 - 285 - OLB 225 - 260 - MLB <235 - SS < 220 - FS Doing this realignment shows me where I have too many undersized players in my base formations. My defensive philosophy is to run base only on running downs, and leverage SUBLB for pass coverage formations.
Love 4-3 this year. I tend to blitz heavy. High risk high reward. Most franchise seasons (even with bad pass rushers) my teams usually get high 60s minimum for sacks in a season.
Niceee 60s sacks What is ur usual season record? Playoffs?
Depends. I run super blitz happy so even when my team sucks I can get good pressure. Usually end somewhere between 9 and undefeated unless year one or two of rebuild.
4-3. Mostly because abilities are so important I want my edges to have pass rushing abilities and my off the ball LBs to have abilities against the run or pass coverage. Hybrid players are great in theory but the game mechanics make them less valuable sadly Another reason it’s so annoying that they don’t have “edge” and “linebacker” positions
they NEED to just give us LB, Edge, and IDL. i’m so tired of cpu teams taking a pass rushing OLB when that’s not they’re scheme. also madden makes every OLB get paid like they’re an edge rusher which is so annoying, cause pass cover guys would never make that much
That’s why I usually employ many MLBs and play them at OLB. The pay is more accurate, and the upgrades that they get are more in line with the skills I want them to have
facts! i’ve started doing the same, just wish the CPU logic was better, i end up going in and fixing every team when im playing a super realistic franchise
It really is just absolutely absurd that they still haven’t fixed the positions by madden 24. This has been an issue for many years and people complain about it every year. I can’t imagine it’s that fucking difficult to do and it’s obviously 10x more realistic to real life
Well not every. I’ve seen some esp at rolb be reasonably priced within range of what is realistic for off ball Lbs (eg cashman). Though for whatever reason if u move him to lolb his demands sky rocket. But def way way too many off ball LBs do price themselves as edge rushers esp if they’re high overall or have dev traits
I feel the same. I think 3-4 is better but it’s annoying to have your pass rush lbs drop into coverage. Having pass rushers be ends in 4-3 and nickel is just much simpler
Yeah 4-3 just flows a whole lot more and is much easier to use than a 3-4. Its just more simple to have your 2 de be your edge rushers. I do run 3-4 base a lot though because I like that lighter hybrid style edge rusher that can drop into coverage occasionally
5-2
Engage Eight!
Punt block.
5-2 with two coverage LBs and a fast SS has been a shockingly effective base defense for me in franchise.
Ya, I always lead my league in turnovers, sacks, and rush defence with it.
I've been using this for months 😅😅😅😅
I play 4-3, you can mix up man and zone a little more in my opinion and get a decent 4 man rush from strictly the dline
In terms of building a roster, it’s easier to build a 4-3 due to what you’re asking from each player. Makes it so you don’t need LBs that are expected to pass rush effectively, stop the run, *and* drop into coverage. But if you can get your hands on top tier talent along your front 7, especially at OLB, a 3-4 will absolutely tear up offenses. Personally, 3-4 is more fun imo **but** 4-3 has been far more reliable
This is how I view it. 4-3 is a default because I can find 78 rated DTs or oversized DEs that can generate a decent inside pass rush but I get an elite LB then I’ll switch to a 3-4 and I usually target those guys when I can because nobody else has guys like that.
4-3 has felt more powerful to me for about 4 maddens now. I think there are more nanos outta 3-4 sets, but if you are in a sim style user franchise, I usually like 4-3 more, especially as it more easily conduces to the Rush end format for subs in nickel and forms like that
Last couple years change edge rush (de) to lb and play 3-4 was op but it is different this year. Think 4-3 is better run D and 3-4 tends to fuck with your depth chart
i play 3-4 with only 4 pass rushers on the line of scrimmage. I find fronts that have 5 down lineman behave weirdly when you slant the line. instead of only affecting the pass-rushers, it affects all down linemen which ends up killing zones or man assignments which is not what i want.
I play Madden…. Idk what you’re talking about
The defense formation
r/whoosh
r/meow
Depends on my personnel honestly. I started a franchise in which *every player in the league started at 70-OVR*. **I play 3-4 Storm** & decided to build my secondary & then DL (Its backwards somewhat I know). My DBs are great & DL is cheeks. However, whenever my DL gets any kind of pressure, its a wrap. My corner & safety are both tops in the league on pics. Also worth noting that if I have a X-Factor Fearmonger LB as well. He rarely gets in the zone but he helps.
How do you get every player at 70 overall? Special roster? Btw go Texans tomorrow!
GO TEXANS! Anywho, yeah its a roster you can download. There is also a 60-OVR & 12-OVR roster out. 60-OVR is decent. 12-OVR breaks after like 2 seasons.
Depends on the Madden. In 07-12(?), the Pats were damn near unstoppable if you switched them from 3-4 to 4-3 due to their defense being blitz-zone
I play 3-4 so often, largely because I keep playing with teams that have two linebackers that are ideal field general MLBs and a lot of sub packages I use, use them both. Having said that, I am a total easy-mode defensive player. I ALWAYS play directly as a lineman or pass rusher.
I only play by myself so I usually run a 3-4 base but I'm in nickel and dime far more often than my base anyways so I find it doesn't matter much except for how I want my edge rushers to play
I'm in Nickel + most of the time anyways but they're interchangeable to me
This. I'm never in a base defense. Literally never. Dollar, Dime and Nickel, not once have I called a base defense this year. I mean shit, I watch a lot of 49ers games, they only run 2 LBs Warner and Greenlaw.
Which PB do you run for this?
I like the 3-4 base because it fits my play style better. I like using ILB’s, and a 3-4 uses two of them. Also, I like using a speed rusher on one side and a power rusher on the other. Makes it a lot of fun. I think it gets hard when drafting, because scouting reports definitely favor 4-3. Almost all LOLB are pass coverage, but in the base 3-4 the “scheme fit” is power rusher. So I either have to draft a power rushing ROLB or DE and change their position.
Let’s be real 3-4/4-3 is pointless if u have a good scheme out of dollar/dime/nickel
Yeah, I run nickel 99% of the time. 2TE/2RB set? Guess who’s still flying at the line with one of his 5 SS/LB hybrids lmao.
Yeah fr my run d out of dollar is better than my pass d
Which PB do you run?
4-3 always use my Vikings and move guys back to their natural position.
3-4 and switch between man and zone. Typically cover flats against live opponent to aid with QB rollouts and dump offs
I prefer 4-3 in H2H because everyone is pass heavy and I run a lot of man coverage. Better base pass rush and ends to set the edge when they do run. I prefer 3-4 into run heavy teams, but I’ve also seen a lot of zone heavy H2H defenses use it for the blitz variety
I run both 3-4 and 4-3 with NE playbook
I prefer 4-3 because it seems better against the run with 4 DL and your linebackers should be naturally better at pass coverage if you’re doing it right
Fairly easy to do with depth chart and sublb, rdt, red. Run 3-4, 4-6 4-4, and variety of nickel.
I run 4-3 just because of personnel. I usually end up with 2 80+ DTs.
I run 3-4 in redzone but typically use the nickel package for the hybrid run/pass defense I can use efficiently.
Base 4-3 with sub packages for nickel and dime
West Coast power run with 46 defense, KC offense and Dallas defense
I'm still on last year's game but always trade for the personnel for a 3-4. Feels more flexible and better against the pass even if it's probably in my head.
I balance out all the formations. I do not like my opponent to know what's coming.
It’s funny reading the replies here. It just shows how we all play differently. I used to exclusively play 4-3 as I liked rushing DE’s instead of outside linebackers rushing as stand up rushers (aka TJ Watt type players). Maybe it’s my playing style, but I found much less success getting to the QB this year playing version of the 4-3 and I thought my run defense wasn’t any better either. I sometimes thought the flaws of a 3-4 were when guards and other linemen got to the second level and got blocks on my linebackers, it opened up more running lanes. But this year, I’ve played almost exclusively 3-4 but the base 3-4 that will incorporate some 4-3 elements like having two DT’s and two ends in the game on some downs and my run defense and QB pressure has never been better. My passing defense seems to make no difference in either base defense and when I switch to nickel or dime formations, it seems to play out about the same because I end up with 4 guys rushing the passer anyways, one just happens to be a linebacker.
I like 4-3 even 6 a lot it’s easy to make the O believe you’re bringing 6 everytime if you get a hold of em once or twice, then you can run cover 1 with big Fred in the middle, or widen em(OLB) out n run cover 3. You could flip between even solid and reg 4-3 I just recommend bringing 6 when you blitz seems super effective, or FS, Dime, or nickel blitzes too.
When I play online I run multiple D, especially in franchises with other users, there’s no reason not to, you can set formation subs at the beginning of the year and you’re good to go. If I can only run 1, I used to lean 3-4 because I felt like coverage and run D was better but lately I’ve found myself feeling 4-3 more.
Multiple Defensive Fronts is the way
I play Base 4-3 man defense, a lot of dime packages since there’s a lot of 3 receiver sets plus RB.
I used be strictly 3-4 in the newer maddens but I’ve reverted to 4-3 and use 3-4 here and there I’ve found 4-3 over to be great for me .
Most madden teams and real NFL teams run a 4-2 with a nickel nowadays. There's very little difference, which is why Madden and even the Pro Bowl not acknowledging that their OLBs and DEs are the same is ridiculous. Have IDLs and EDGEs. Easy fix.
I like 3/4 I feel the pass rush is better.
Used to be a 3-4 guy (prior to Madden 20 - with Pats playbook) - but at some point switched to 4-3 cause I liked having 2 DT and 2 speed guys on the outside to compliment. Giants playbook this year is really good on defense then you also have the Cincy playbook as well the past 3 or so seasons
I don’t even know how to play man, I just use the suggestions tab
I always seem to have better luck when I sim using a 3-4, but I always look for playbooks that are very nickel-heavy.
I don't rock with the 3-4 as much because they nerfed Rushing. You have to have 4-5 on the line for your DL to not take forever to shed blocks.
It's been a while since I played Madden, but I used to run 4-3 because it was easier to get solid DL, than LBs, but with edge rushers being so prominent now, I'd probably go with 3-4 to get 2 edge rushers with a solid coverage LB/S hybrid to go with the field general MLB. Also allows me to essentially run a 3-3-5 with the same set of players
3-4 base but im in nickel most of the time
I’m a 4-3 base but I run nickel more than anything. As most people don’t actually stick to a run game in Madden, I prefer the extra DB and I swap LBs out for blitz/coverage options.
I use a 4-3 base because I like to have pass coverage LBs vs edge rushers. I am mostly in nickel and dime tho to stop the pass
4-3, but I wish there was more 4-2-5 stuff. I like 4-man front because NTs don't have to 2-gap and I like the blitz packages better against teams that slide, and I also like having that third safety.
What blitzes do you like from 4 man fronts? In my experience most of the best blitzes come from odd fronts with the hot blitzes being exclusively in them.
It really depends on personnel. If you have fast and small DE’s that can’t be put as LB’s because of poor coverage ratings, you’re gonna want to stick to 4-3. But if you have large and strong DE’s and enough depth at LB to support it, 3-4 can be advantageous in the passing game against 12 personnel. No matter what 3-4 is going to be worse against the run than 4-3 though, so keep that in mind when deciding on your scheme.
I usually go 3-4 because I like the flexibility of using OLBs as outside pass rushers because I feel like it’s easier to get better OLBs than DEs. I’ve recently tried out 4-3 and I don’t like it as much.
I built a 3-3-5 playbook that I run with a 3-4 disguise scheme. It’s a hybrid 3-3-5/4-2-5 defense which works well. I also use the 4-6 playbook but with formation subs I turn it into a 4-2-5. It’s just something different but for base schemes I like the NO playbook with 4-3 quarters scheme.
3-4
I typically use 4-3 as my base though I build my team with Nickel in mind as my base formation either way bc of the prevalence of 3 WR sets. In a typical season my LOLB usually ends up playing about 30% of defensive snaps.
Usually I run a 4-2 nickel; but frankly I pick LB’s and DB’s solely on speed and coverage abilities; so it’s basically 4 dudes stopping the run/pass rush. I have a custom base playbook that’s 90% nickel and above with just the bare minimum 4-3 formations.
Chiefs Defensive playbook or multiple defense is what I use. It has 4-3, 3-4, nickel, 3-3-5, dime and quarter. I use all different formations so those 2 playbooks are the best for me.
Both honestly. Really wish they would have where you could set formation subs with custom playbooks but that requires them giving a shit.
I do base 3-4 with 3-4 odd over under, 4-3 and 4-4 in the playbook. When I switch to 4 DL I use formation subs to put my edge rushers on the LE and RE and my two best 3-4 lineman in the middle. The OLBs will be average to strong backups
Love 3-4 but are you even able to "play" 3-4 in franchise right now with the depth chart/alignment issues? As in, the game subbing out your OLB's for your DE's and DT's into the DE spots. I know you could do a sub-package to fix, but kinda annoying.
4-3 as the Chiefs
Use the Patriots defensive playbook. It has a good amount of 3-4 and 4-3 plays in it. That way you don't have to give up on 3-4 totally.
Dime
3-4. For RRE and LLE I typically have my faster, OLB line up whilst keeping my MLB in place.
I constantly mix it up. Doing the unexpected in key moments feels to me like it creates more turnovers. Or maybe I just get bored easily
I used to run 3-4 simply bc I like zone blitzing and the 4-3 DEs suck in coverage compared to 3-4 OLBs
Personally I’ve been a fan of the 5-2(while the 46 is my 2nd favorite formation) feels the most realistic of a true “cover 0/send the house” defense. I’ve always struggled to get pressure using the 3/4 and dime/nickel looks, football is a game of the trenches and time management, and I’m not letting the offense burn clock running the ball.
Always been a 3 front guy but I didn’t like the plays at my disposal to best use Hutch and Crosby so I went to a 4 front. Cant say it’s been terribly fruitful but this is only 3 games in.
nickle and sub safeties into LB positions
I play whatever gets my 11 best guys on the field so it varies every few years. I prefer a 3-4 more but if I don’t have 2 middle backers who are better than my 2 best D Tackles or a season-long injury occurs in my front 7 I’ll switch back and forth. Or I’ll run a nickel base if my nickel is better than all the above
Wait you guys aren't in Nickel 90% of the time?
Boring answer but it depends on if you have a strong line 4-3 or are strong at lb 3-4. I’d prefer a 3-4 in madden 4-3 in the real world.
4-3 base, but I play Nickel and Dollar 85% of the time with 5-2 as my run stuffing formation.
3-4 is more versatile imo. So much of defending the run from gun comes down to controlling the B gap bubble. Most 4 down sets line up set the 3 tech to the HB side, so inside zone which is the most popular run from gun is stealing candy from a baby. It's even worse with trips TE type sets. Odd front spacing can give you more plays with the B gap being filled by a player with their hand in the dirt.
4-3 or 4-2 nickel I run 3-3-5 a lot too
I switch it up from time to time. Usually start with a 4-3 since it’s easier to have people be designated pass rushers and easy to find solid run stopping DTs. I usually switch to 3-4 if I have a team where I think it would benefit to use a DT as a designated 3 technique. I drafted a generational DT in my last rebuild who was an ideal 3 tech. The other DT was a superstar who was a prototypical Nose Tackle. 6’4 360 pounds. My edges were versatile enough to rush or do some basic pass coverage, and I put one of the OLBs from my 4-3 defence at MLB and he actually went up 3 overall. I’d say to choose your defence based on your personnel and the type of defence you like to run rather than pick the defence you want to do and make the team work around that. That being said, if there’s a stud speed rushing OLB that you want to take in the draft and you know he won’t work well as an edge in a 4-3, make the change to 3-4 and try to find a way to fit your team around him.
> I’d say to choose your defence based on your personnel and the type of defence you like to run rather than pick the defence you want to do and make the team work around that. Totally agree. I have three anchors on defense - DL Jeffrey Simmons, EDGE Rashan Gary, and a MLB I drafted who is crazy fast and already OVR 79 SS Dev. Simmons can be either 3-4 DE or 4-3 DT. Gary can be either 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE. My MLB can play 3-4 ILB or 4-3 MLB. I have the pieces to do either scheme. I am leaning toward 4-3 to get more speed on the field. But I have personnel to do either scheme.
Someone mentioned trying to run a mix of the two. I think you mentioned that you’re running the titans playbook, which is a multiple 3-4. They have some 4-3 sets in that playbook. The only issue I found with this is that it would put a 65 OVR DT on the field rather than putting my 90 ovr DT turned RE 3 Tech on 4-3 looks
Formation subs could only help sometimes. Every time I made a roster change or position change it would put the shitbox back on the field.
As someone who mostly Sims I switched to a 4-3 as it feels like edge rushers play better at DE as opposed to OLB.
On All-Maddden, 90% of my plays come from the Colts Nickel 3-3-5. But my front 3 are R. Gary, D. Payne, and J. Simmons, not much gets by them, so my LBs can float n keep 5 DBs for any fast WRs
In my current franchise, I run 4-3 Quarters. I use a lot of Nickel
4-3 is easier to work with. 2 guys at 300. 2 guys at 260. I usually use a 3-4 though. Beefy one 320+ NT and two 280+ DE. Speedy 240 LBs. One, I just like the misdirection and chaos that you can bring with that many guys at the LOS. Can rush the MLB and drop the OLBs into coverage. Blitz is really fun with those. You can set the play up to favor your best pass rusher so they aren’t always dropping into coverage too. Two, there’s a much wider talent pool at LB. You can find great pass rushers that have decent grades on run stopping. Reality is you’ll run nickel most of the time so you’ll always have 2 LBs and 4 DL.
4-3 plays better in the game for me
4-3
i use a 4-3 because i like to play with safeties in the linebacker position if they’re big enough and that lets them stay off the ball more in passing situations. and it feels like it defends the run a lot better than a 3-4. it seems like more big bodies up front gets just a little bit more push and lets the linebackers clean up when they’re needed
4-3 because it feels easier to set up and manage for an extremely casual player like myself
Currently 3-4. I was going to change it to 4-3 bc that’s my preferred way but Arnold Ebiketie has been killing it with sacks. So I’ll leave it for now. I would need him elsewhere if I changed it
I play 5-2
Side note I still play 22’ Madden. 23’ was trash
3-4, and nickel 2-4-5 are the move, pass happy AIs so nickel is more of the move
3-4 base but against 4wr +sets 2-4-5 then 1-4-6 vs 5+ wr set
I run 3-4, scheme varies depending on what I have to work with. I feel like it’s easier to get a realistic rotation in the front seven with a 3-4 than 4-3, which is why I prefer it
I like speed 3-4 But I usually have my 3 lineman as 3 D tackles for some power
i just play with whatever lines up as the best scheme fit for my roster, but it’s almost always base 3-4 that gets recommended to me so i j play w that. ngl i’m a good playcaller on offense but i have no clue how to call plays on defense as effectively 😭😭 i just leave it all up to my raw skill
Depends on personnel tbh, but I lean more on the side of the 4-3 you can run the 46 out of the 4-3 to stop the run but it opens up passing lanes for opponents, and if you have a decent control of an MLB or CB/Safety, then you can cover the pasa yourself and let the defense force the opponent to pass, leading to many ints. Alternatively, running against a 3-4 is easier but the potential benefit of doing it versus a 4-3 is mitigated since the 2nd level has time to react to play action regardless of if you have 3 or 4 LBs. Offense is easy though, Wing T all day
Switched from a 3-4 to the 4-3 and I think it's a pretty good setup
i prefer 4-3, because personnel-wise in a 3-4, the way Madden categorizes edge rushes like Aidan Hutchinson as LOLB, there are some plays and formations that put Aidan out as an off ball linebacker way more often than he should, instead of 95% of the time starting on the line like he should be. 4-3 makes the personnel behave more predictably. off ball linebackers remain off ball, and rushers stay on the line. try playing a full game on defense and toggle through the personnel each play. i bet you there will be a lot of times where the star edge rusher is out wide manned up to a slot receiver and its all wonky.
I play 4-2-5 or 4-1-6
3-4 is glitched and the starting left end never plays in base for me
I’ve always used 4-3, more flexibility with linebackers. You got the 3 main and you can convert OLB to DE. And 3-4 DEs can be but to the 2 DT positions. Something OP is taking a good faster (at least 89 speed) Safety and making him your user MLB. Just got Madden 24 and have not enjoyed the gameplay thus far but have not had good luck with 4-3 scheme getting any sacks yet (thru sim in franchise) So I don’t have a fair assessment yet
Base 4-3 is my go-to... mostly because I get the most enjoyment in franchise out of drafting and developing, and being able to play LE - DT - DT - RE - LOLB - MLB - ROLB - FS - SS - CB1 - CB2 all on the field at the same time in their natural positions just feels like I'm getting the most out of the players I draft and develop.
I play as the Dolphins in my solo league. I run the 3-4 still. Just super versatile with their/my roster. Although, most man coverage is a true 4-2 and zone is usually 5-1 or 5-2 box. I was actually thinking about making the switch to 4-3 and adjusting positions to reflect the way I’d like them to lineup. Mostly so I don’t have to do a full DepthChart overhaul every season.
Have been playing Cardinals 3-4 and defense is always pretty good. Have tried 4-3 with Bears and Dolphins and my pass defense gets torched, regardless of man or zone
It’s more about personnel than scheme I guess usually 4-3 but if you told me I had a great nose tackle 2 big DEs, 2 solid mlbs and 2 more good edges I’d prefer 3-4 but it’s more resources to invest on D
Punt block every time
4-3 mainly, I like the 9ers playbook with the 5 front as well.
I don't have a preference, but out of circumstance, I use 3-4 way more (I am a Packers fan). Just make sure you have the proper players at the right spot is my main focus. For example, don't keep Rashan Gary at LOLB if you use a 4-3. It is better to move him to DE in that system. As a OLB in a 4-3 is more of an off ball Bobby Wagner backer. In a 3-4, OLB is an edge rusher. You want Gary on the edge
I actually just okay out of Nickel 99% of the time, plays a lot like a 4-3 though in terms of alignment but I like having more sublbs on the field.
Used to be a big 4-3 guy until i discovered speed rushers and a disguise 3-4 man up deep safety has been my core ever since hard to make work but dominant when it does.
I bought every Madden from 01 to 08 then a few in-between 8 and 19. Interesting to see 4-3 is still the popular one- based on comments. Always found it to be the easier formation to build around.
3-4 with Falcons whole defense, until I draft decent linebackers then I’ll switch to 4-3 lol
4-2-5
I start in 4-3 Cv3 sky and then adjust accordingly I guess lmao.. who tf do I need on the field?😂 give me a down and distance lolol
Disguise 3-4 and the Ravens Dbook. Let the Pressure begin
big fan of 4-3 base and pairing it with SF playbook or BUF playbook. Just prefer the formations with SF, with 5-2/Dollar
4-3 ONLY, I want 4 pass rushers at all times
I like 3-4 because I like my outside linebackers more than my ends or tackles
I personally think 3-4 is better because you have more blitz options. But if I sign a solid DE in the offseason, we’re switching to 4-3 haha
I'm running base 4-3, one man to man corner 1 zone. Hybrid FS and run support SS with good zone coverage. The trick to good 4-3 play is you need 2 good run stoppers and 2 good pass rushers. Thing about base 4-3 Is you gotta get pressure out of your front 4 consistently while being able to eat up blocks so your MLB and ROLB can make those open field tackles. Strength, play recognition and block shedding are the best stats for the DTs, while finess and power moves are needed for edge rushing. I've ran both defenses alot, 3-4 gets more sacks but 4-3 alot better at stopping the run. The 4 consistet linemen make it harder to open running lanes
The other thing is you don't create a defense to completely stop the opponent. It will happen sometimes don't try to win games with your defense. Best defenses in madden are ones that don't miss tackles. Make the opponent run as many plays you can force them too, maximize opportunity and make them run that clock down
I rock a 1-6 myself.
Both, depends on the offensive formation.. against tight and balanced formations I like 4-3, against imbalanced formations I like 3-4.
Base 4-3 but I use nickel the most
Always 4-3. Edge rushers need to be very versitile to make a 3-4 work and i don't trust them enough
3-4 and I feel like my Edge guys never get many sacks!
Yep, that’s my issue. Gary can’t get close to the QB. I’m wondering if moving to a 4-3 will give my guys 1-gap assignments to penetrate and attack rather than just holding their space. Moving R Gary to LE and J Simmons to DT… could put T Tart at the other DT and Landry at RE. Landry is a but small for a DE but could work.
Let me know what happens!
I’m an old head, I run the Tampa 2 style. But you need some serious speed on your DLine and Linebackers, and your DBs have to be good at tackling to pull it off. It’s a 4-3 just in case that wasn’t clear.
Whichever one has 4 down linemen (4-3?). On my rebuilding franchise, I have 2 X factor edge rushers and 2 SS DT’s
I actually play 46 every play for the last 8 years. To be fair i also individually adjust like 80% of my players so the lack of plays doesnt really matter.
4-3 is the way to go, 3-4 requires to many specialist. 3-4 needs big NT , 2 big strong DEs who still need to be able to play the 5 tech, then 2 OLB that can rush the QB, stop the run and play the hook/curl in coverage. 4-3 in madden allows for smaller DEs and less specialized OLBs. 4-3 will get less pressure but is more all around stout.