Madden 25 best playbooks for elite offense and defense
Aug. 24, 2024Run and pass perfectly with these Madden 25 best playbooks
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It’s hardly a shock to see Miami feature on the Madden 25 best playbooks list – given their speed-packed offense, the Phins guarantee big plays with fast receivers. But there’s plenty of nuance elsewhere inMadden 25, such as a Colts playbook deployed by the greatest Madden player on the planet. We delve into that one in more detail below, as part of GR’s look at the five best offensive tactics. There are two elite defensive set-ups, too. Upgrade your skills with our Madden 25 best playbooks guide.
The best five Madden 25 offensive playbooks
Offense is the very heart of the modern NFL. That usually means airing the ball out, and this approach is naturally exhibited here. But if you’re looking for a strong run game, or more balanced attack, then be sure to read on…
In-game label:MIA - M. McDanielBest for:Crazy plays and super speedSummary:Mike McDaniel has earned a reputation as a creative genius since taking on the Miami head coaching role, and capitalised on the insane speed of Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane. It’s no surprise, then, that the Dolphins’ playbook is stacked with trick plays, and quick throws – usually to receivers already in motion. These enable fast skill players to elude their opposite numbers on a regular basis. Experiment with Pistol Tight Y Off Flex formation to see what we mean. No wonder Miami is so high on theMadden 25 best teamslist.
In-game label:IND - S. SteichenBest for:Emulating the king of MaddenSummary:This is the offense used by Henry Leverette – the world’s number one ranked Madden player of recent times. Its Shotgun Bunch Offset plays pull defensive formations all over the joint, with two receivers bunched in by the offensive line, and one set out wide on the opposite side of the field. Your foe will often be so busy trying to cover those guys running crosses or posts that they’ll miss your HB breaking free underneath, giving you easy gains in the open field. If it’s good enough for the Madden king, you can guarantee it’ll bring you TDs andMadden 25 celebrations, too.
In-game label:NE - J. MayoBest for:Moving the chains graduallySummary:Dink, dunk, dink, dunk. The Bill Belichick era may be over – indeed, NE doesn’t have a singleMadden 25 X-Factors and Superstarsplayer – but the system that brought him so much success in New England maintains its influence over the Patriots’ playbook. Short, fast passes to slot receivers enable you to pick up short gains before the D can react, and the running plays on offer from Singleback Wing Tight Z and Ace Slot enable you to further wear an opponent down. Win the time of possession battle and you’ll claim more Ws than Ls.
In-game label:SF - K. ShanahanBest for:Ground and pound (and pound again)Summary:Cover star Christian McCaffrey tops theMadden 25 best playerslist, and his real-life qualities translate brilliantly to Madden. He can run with speed, power, and elusiveness, aided by a 49ers playbook that concentrates on getting the half-back open with committed Pistol and I Form blocking schemes. There are plentiful passing options too – Brock Purdy is no puppet – but if you want to establish a ground game that has the opposition wheezing by the third quarter, learn and master San Fran’s catalogue of big runs. Oh, what a rush.
No matter how good your offensive skills, you still need to play defense at some point. Y’know, for at least half a game, on average. So it’s worth actually considering how to pick up sacks and interceptions, rather than just wing it on every play. These top tactics are sure to help…
In-game label:KC - A-ReidBest for:Defending the passSummary:Kansas City have won two Super Bowls in three years by outscoring teams with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. But a key part of that formula is bend-but-don’t-break defense. They’re willing to give up short gains on running plays rather than get beaten deep in the secondary. This playbook reflects that, giving you sound nickel and zone coverage that makes it difficult for opponents who just want to throw, throw, throw. For getting started online, where the majority of players want to take constant shots downfield, it’s the no-brainer choice.
In-game label:CLE - K. StefanskiBest for:Aggression, and pure funSummary:Cleveland’s D playbook offers a totally different approach to the Chiefs. It does offer some deep cover, but its main strength is getting pressure on the D using blitzes, and aggressive linemen and linebacker play. You need two good defensive ends to maximise that approach, but also two reliable safeties for those times when the tactic doesn’t pay off and the QB gets a deep shot away. This is a high-risk playbook – but that’s what makes it the most fun when you conjure up a sack and field-flipping 12-yard-loss. Boom!
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I’m GamesRadar’s sports editor, and obsessed with NFL, WWE, MLB, AEW, and occasionally things that don’t have a three-letter acronym – such as Chvrches, Bill Bryson, and Streets Of Rage 4. (All the Streets Of Rage games, actually.) Even after three decades I still have a soft spot for Euro Boss on the Amstrad CPC 464+.
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