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Madden NFL 16 eGuide
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Contents

  • Weekly Fantasy Football Rankings
    • Week 17
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 16
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 15
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 14
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 13
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 12
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 11
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 10
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 9
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 8
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 7
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 6
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 5
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 4
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 3
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 2
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
    • Week 1
      • Quarterback
      • Running Back
      • Wide Receiver
      • Tight End
      • Kicker
      • Team Defense
  • Draft Champions Mode
    • What Is Draft Champions?
    • Draft On
    • Top 5 Tips for Draft Champions
    • Chicago Bears
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Denver Broncos
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • San Diego Chargers
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • New York Giants
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • New York Jets
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Carolina Panthers
    • New England Patriots
    • Oakland Raiders
    • St. Louis Rams
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Washington Redskins
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Houston Texans
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Minnesota Vikings
  • Connected Franchise Mode
    • Choose Your Experience
    • Choosing a Path
    • Selecting Your Squad
    • Fantasy Draft Guide
    • Start Your Franchise
  • Madden Ultimate Team
    • What Is Madden Ultimate Team?
    • Start Your Squad
    • Top 5 Quarterback Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Halfback Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Wide Receiver Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Tight End Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Defensive Linemen Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Linebacker Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Cornerback Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Safety Items in MUT
    • MUT Offensive Style Builds: Ground and Pound
    • MUT Offensive Style Builds: Speed Run
    • MUT Offensive Style Builds: Short Pass
    • MUT Offensive Style Builds: Long Pass
    • MUT Defensive Style Builds: Run Stuff
    • MUT Defensive Style Builds: Pass Rush
    • MUT Defensive Style Builds: Zone Defense
    • MUT Defensive Style Builds: Man Defense
    • Top 5 Ways to Maximize Your Coins
    • Top 5 Solo Challenge Tips on Offense
    • Top 5 Solo Challenge Tips on Defense
    • Top Offensive Budget Items in MUT
    • Top Defensive Budget Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Offensive Playbooks in MUT
    • Top 5 Defensive Playbooks in MUT
  • Teams
    • Chicago Bears
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Denver Broncos
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • San Diego Chargers
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • Miami Dolphins
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • New York Giants
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • New York Jets
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Carolina Panthers
    • New England Patriots
    • Oakland Raiders
    • St. Louis Rams
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Washington Redskins
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Houston Texans
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Minnesota Vikings
  • Fantasy Football
    • What Is Fantasy Football?
    • Why Choose NFL.com Fantasy?
    • Scoring Settings (NFL-Managed)
    • Head-to-Head Scoring Format
    • League Settings
    • NFL-Managed Draft Types
    • TOP 5 Must-Have Players
    • TOP 5 Sleepers
    • TOP 5 Overrated Players
    • TOP 5 Rookies
    • Fantasy Football 2015 Mock Draft
    • Fantasy Football 2015 Draft Guide
  • Appendix / Glossary
    • Overview
    • Defensive Coverage Adjustments
    • Offensive Hot Routes
    • Positions
    • Player Ratings
    • Achievements
  • Video
    • Top 16 Plays in Madden 16

Madden NFL 16 Guide › Madden Ultimate Team

Top 5 Defensive Playbooks in MUT

The key to selecting a winning playbook is to match it to your defensive style. Think about if you would rather have a 3-4 or 4-3 base and go from there. Find a good formation that you feel comfortable using to stop the run. Consider what coverage style you like to play and how you will bring pressure on third down from your nickel and dime sets. Once you have answered these questions, picking the right defensive playbook to win you more games becomes easy! There is no problem with changing between playbooks, as many have similar concepts and can give you the edge you need.

  • Honorable Mention: Bengals, Seahawks, Ravens
New Orleans Saints
  • Base: 3-4
  • Styles: Zone Defense, Pass Rush
  • Run Defense Set: 3-4 Bear
  • Pass Defense Set: Big Dime 1-4-6

The Saints’ defense has a multitude of 3-4 formations that can keep opponents guessing where the pressure is going to come from. It also has some of the best passing defenses in the game if you like to have four CBs on the field at once. Keep bringing heavy pressure off the edges to get the most out of it.

Tip

Test out Cover 2 man this season and see if your opponents have what it takes to beat it consistently.

Dallas Cowboys
  • Base: 4-3
  • Styles: Pass Rush, Run Stuff
  • Run Defense Set: 46 Bear
  • Pass Defense Set: Big Dime 4-1-6

The Cowboys’ playbook requires an excellent strong safety to maximize its effectiveness. If you land a great one and prefer an aggressive 4-3 style, this is the playbook to try out. Take advantage of all the unique ways to get your secondary defenders up in the box and force opponents to try to spread you out.

Tip

The 46 Bear is one of the best formations in the game for aggressive players!

Green Bay Packers
  • Base: 3-4
  • Styles: Pass Rush, Man Defense
  • Run Defense Set: 3-4 Solid
  • Pass Defense Set: Big Dime 2-3-6 Will

For a 3-4 player, the Packers’ defense has a great mix of formations that should have them feeling comfortable. There are plenty of great nickel formations, which will get an extra CB on the field to help slow down all the new passing features. The only thing missing is the 3-4 Bear, which can be a solid formation in the red zone and on third and short.

Tip

Green Bay has the Nickel Psycho formation, which can bring heavy pressure if you have lots of LBs!

Minnesota Vikings
  • Base: 4-3
  • Styles: Run Stuff, Zone Defense
  • Run Defense Set: 46 Normal
  • Pass Defense Set: Nickel 2-4-5 Prowl

The Vikings’ playbook is perfect for players who prefer to play heavy zone coverage from the 4-3. The 46 Normal should figure heavily in your game plan, as early offenses may struggle to spread it out. Keep switching between the Cover 2 and Cover 4 Show 2 looks to really maximize your game plan.

Tip

The Vikings have the 46 Normal formation, which can frustrate opponents.

Patriots Defense
  • Base: Hybrid 3-4/4-3
  • Style: Zone Defense, Run Stuff
  • Run Defense Set: Nickel 2-4-5 Dbl A Gap
  • Pass Defense Set: Nickel 3-3-5 Odd

The Patriots’ defensive playbook is the only team playbook that has both 3-4 and 4-3 fronts. This allows you to mix up your looks and experiment with different lineups. Make sure to learn all of the nickel formations to really maximize the blitzes you can bring on third down.

Tip

If you have extra defenders at DE and LB, consider using the Patriots’ playbook.

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