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Contents

  • Top 5 Tips from Clint Oldenburg
    • Top 5 Tips for Gap Play With Clint Oldenburg
    • Top 5 Running Mechanics With Clint Oldenburg
    • Skills Trainer
    • Gauntlet
    • The Top 17 Plays in Madden NFL 17
  • Draft Champions Mode
    • What Is Draft Champions?
    • Top 5 Tips for Draft Champions
  • Meet the Pros
    • Overview
  • Draft Champions Coach/Playbook Guides by Team
    • 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
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Washington Redskins
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Houston Texans
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Minnesota Vikings
  • Introduction
    • What’s New in Madden NFL 17?
    • Franchise Mode
  • 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 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
    • Top 5 Ways to Maximize Your Coins
    • Top 5 Solo Challenge Tips on Defense
    • Top Offensive Budget Items in MUT
    • Top Defensive Budget Items in MUT
    • Top 5 Offensive Playbook in MUT
    • Top 5 Defensive Playbook in MUT
  • 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 Risks
    • Top 5 Rookies
    • Fantasy Football 2016 Draft Guide
  • Franchise Mode
    • Choose Your Experience
    • Choosing a Path
    • Start Your Franchise
    • Top 5 Game Prep Tips
    • Top 5 Position Types
    • Selecting Your Squad
    • Top 5 Win Now Teams
    • Top 5 Teams for the Future
    • Goals
    • Top 5 Scouting Tips
  • 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
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Washington Redskins
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Seattle Seahawks
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    • Houston Texans
    • Tennessee Titans
    • Minnesota Vikings
  • Appendix
    • Glossary
    • Achievements
    • Credits
  • Madden Mobile
    • Madden NFL 17 Mobile
    • Madden NFL 17 Mobile Gameplay Tips
  • Videos
    • Top 17 Plays in Madden NFL 17

Madden NFL 17 Guide › Teams

Atlanta Falcons

Franchise Mode Strategy

Overall Team Rating: 82

Offense: 87

Defense: 81

Offensive Scheme: West Coast

Defensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3

Strengths: FB, WR, CB

Weaknesses: RG, FS, SS

2015 Team Rankings

2nd NFC South (8-8-0)

Passing Offense: 6th

Rushing Offense: 19th

Passing Defense: 18th

Rushing Defense: 14th

2015 Team Leaders

Passing: Matt Ryan: 4,591

Rushing: Davonta Freeman: 1,056

Receiving: Julio Jones: 1,871

Tackles: Paul Worrilow: 95

Sacks: Vic Beasley: 4

INTS: Ricardo Allen: 3

Key Additions

LT Tom Compton

WR Aldrick Robinson

CB DeMarcus Van Dyke

Key Rookies

SS Keanu Neal

ROLB Deion Jones

TE Austin Hooper

Coach

Dan Quinn

Level: 2

Offensive Scheme: West Coast

Defensive Scheme: Attacking 4-3

Offensive Scouting Report

  • QB Matt Ryan had another good season last year. One more could be what it takes to take the Falcons all the way now that their QB has the offensive line to help him.
  • It’s up to the younger members of the team to carry the load of running the ball. The battle will be between Devonta Freeman, Tevin Colman, and Terron Ward for the starting role. Coleman is probably the best overall player, but still needs time to develop.
  • Star WR Julio Jones is a playmaker and should be signed for the long term immediately. There’s still room for someone to step up as WR2. Look up to Levine Toilolo at TE, who is not only young but also one of the biggest players in the league. He must become more than a run blocker if the Falcons are going to win double-digit games.

Defensive Scouting Report

  • The Falcons’ defensive line still has plenty of options, depending on what fronts you want to use. Consider getting Vic Beasley Jr. and Ra’Shede Hageman snaps because your starters are solid but aging.
  • Atlanta has a strong LB corps with Brooks Reed and Paul Worillow. Put them alongside LB Philip Wheeler and he can develop into a solid zone defender.
  • The secondary has a young crew to build and form around CB Desmond Trufant. Consider signing a veteran for the short term while you develop someone to play opposite of him. At the safety position, don’t let Overall ratings fool you; test each player and start whomever plays best.

SCHEDULE

Key Players

  • Ryan is a master at executing shot plays. Look for some new ones in your playbook and unleash the deep ball.
  • Ryan has the outstanding playmaker Julio Jones on the outside and should target him in one-on-one coverage.
  • Trufant has a crazy 97 Agility rating and is one of the best man defenders in the game.
  • Having a 6’0” frame is never a bad thing when you routinely face WRs in your division like Kelvin Benjamin and Mike Evans.
  • Neal is a better zone defense player than man, but his speed is high enough to cover some mistakes he might make.
  • Neal’s Pursuit rating is extremely high, making him a key player when shutting down any game changers on the offense.
  • Robinson has experience. He may not be an all-star, but in a pinch he will succeed.
  • The Spectacular Catch rating on Robinson makes him the ultimate red zone receiver. Look for him to change things up and keep the defense guessing while you’re scoring.

Offensive Depth Chart

POSFIRSTLASTOVR
QB Matt Ryan 84
QB Matt Schaub 70
QB Sean Renfree 64
QB Matt Simms 61
HB Devonta Freeman 85
HB Tevin Coleman 75
HB Terron Ward 69
HB Gus Johnson 63
FB Patrick DiMarco 91
WR Julio Jones 96
WR Mohamed Sanu 77
WR Devin Hester 69
WR Eric Weems 69
WR Nick Williams 69
WR Justin Hardy 67
WR Aldrick Robinson 67
WR Devin Fuller 62
WR J.D. McKissic 62
WR Daje Johnson 61
TE Jacob Tamme 79
TE Levine Toilolo 71
TE Austin Hooper 70
TE Josh Harris 63
LT Jake Matthews 80
LT Tom Compton 73
LT Laurence Gibson 64
LG Andy Levitre 80
LG Ben Garland 66
LG Wes Schweitzer 64
C Alex Mack 81
C Mike Person 70
RG Chris Chester 78
RG James Stone 75
RG Shahbaz Ahmed 61
RT Ryan Schraeder 85
RT Bryce Harris 73

Defensive Depth Chart

POSFIRSTLASTOVR
LE Adrian Clayborn 77
LE Malliciah Goodman 68
DT Jonathan Babineaux 81
DT Tyson Jackson 77
DT Grady Jarrett 72
DT Chris Mayes 61
DT Cory Johnson 58
RE Ra’Shede Hageman 74
RE Derrick Shelby 72
LOLB Sean Weatherspoon 77
LOLB Vic Beasley Jr. 76
LOLB Philip Wheeler 75
MLB Brooks Reed 75
MLB Paul Worrilow 74
MLB LaRoy Reynolds 67
MLB De’Vondre Campbell 64
ROLB Courtney Upshaw 78
ROLB Deion Jones 71
ROLB Tyler Starr 64
ROLB Torrey Green 62
ROLB Ivan McLennan 61
CB Desmond Trufant 90
CB Robert Alford 77
CB Jalen Collins 71
CB DeMarcus Van Dyke 67
CB C.J. Goodwin 61
CB Devonte Johnson 61
CB Akeem King 61
CB David Mims II 61
FS Ricardo Allen 75
FS Robenson Therezie 68
SS Kemal Ishmael 79
SS Keanu Neal 76
SS Charles Godfrey 72
SS Sharrod Neasman 62
SS Brian Poole 60

Special Teams

POSFIRSTLASTOVR
K Matt Bryant 81
P Matt Bosher 81

Best Offensive Plays

best RUN: Singleback Ace - Stretch

Running Plays
1st Down2nd & Short3rd & ShortGoal Line2nd & Long3rd & Long

I-Form Close – Zone Weak

I-Form Tight Twins – HB Iso

I-Form Twins – HB Lead Dive

Goal Line – HB Sting

Gun Stack Wk – Inside Zone Split

I-Form Pro – End Around

I-Form Close – HB Stretch

I-Form Twin TE – Zone Weak

I-Form Pro – Slam Fk End Arnd

Goal Line – HB Toss

Gun Trey Open – HB Off Tackle

Gun Empty Base Flex – QB Draw

I-Form Tight Twins – HB Stretch

I-Form Twin TE – HB Stretch

Gun Split Close – Power O

Goal Line – FB Dive

Gun Trey Open – Inside Zone

Gun Trio Falcon – HB Base

best PASS: Gun Stack Offset Wk – Curl Switch

passing Plays
1st Down2nd & Short3rd & ShortSlot Plays2nd & Long3rd & Long

I-Form Close – Mesh

Gun Trio Falcon – PA Deep Attack

Singleback Jumbo – Verts Drag

Gun Trio Falcon – PA Shot Wheel

Gun Empty Base Flex – WR Screen

Gun Trio Falcon – PA Shot Wheel

I-Form Tight Twins – Bench

Singleback Ace Pair – Y Stick

Strong Close – Y Trail

Singleback Bunch Ace – PA Fork Shot

Gun Split Close – HB Wheel

Gun Trio Falcon – Verticals

Gun Bunch Wide – Clearout FL In

Singleback Big Twins – Slot Under

Strong Close – WR Out

Gun Trey Open – PA WR In

Gun Split Close – PA F Slide

Gun Trey Y-Flex Wk – Mtn Verticals

Best Defensive Plays

Best RUN D: 4-3 Over Plus – Cover 4

Run Defense
1st Down2nd & Short3rd & ShortGoal Line2nd & Long3rd & Long

4-3 Normal – 2 Man Under

4-3 Over Plus – Cover 3 Sky Wk

4-6 Bear Under – Cover 1

Goal Line 5-4- 2 – Blitz C

Nickel Normal – Cover 2 Man

Nickel Wide 9 – Cover 2 Man

4-3 Normal – Cover 3 Cloud Press

4-3 Over Plus – Saw 0 Blast

4-6 Bear Under – LB Dogs

Goal Line 5-4- 2 Sam Blitz

Nickel Normal – Cover 3 Buzz Press

Nickel Wide 9 – Cover 3 Sky Press

Best PASS D: Dollar 3-2-6 Cover 4 QB Contain

Pass Defense
1st Down2nd & Short3rd & ShortGoal Line2nd & Long3rd & Long

4-3 Normal – Tampa 2

4-3 Over – Mike Will Blitz

5-2 Normal – Cover 1

Goal Line 5-3- 3 – GL Man

4-3 Wide 9 – Cover 3 Sky

Dollar 3-2- 6 – Cover 2 Man LB Blitz

4-3 Normal – Cover 2 Man

4-3 Over – Cover 3 Sky

5-2 Normal – Cover 3

Goal Line 5-3- 3 – Pinch Zone

4-3 Wide 9 – Tampa 2

Dollar 3-2- 6 – Cover 3 Sky Press

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