Madden NFL 25 – Top 5 Ways to Defend Screen Passes

Screen passes are always a popular way to move the ball. The threat of a TD on nearly any play is the draw for screens. Here we show you how we like to stop screen plays in Madden NFL 25. Remember, if you rush the QB and instantly get in, it is probably too good to be true—look out for the screen!

5 COVER 2 ZONE

COVER 2 ZONE PLACES A FLAT DEFENDER IN THE AREA THAT MOST SCREENS ATTACK.

The most popular screens are the FL Screen and HB Slip Screen. Both of these plays target the flat, so we look to clog this space with one of our defenders. It’s about a 50/50 split on whether the defender will get picked by a blocker or if our defender will shed the block and take down the ball carrier.

4 HOT ROUTE THE DE TO QB CONTAIN

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO PLAY ZONE COVERAGE THEN YOU CAN PLAY MAN-TO-MAN AND DROP A DE INTO A QB CONTAIN. THE QB CONTAIN WILL SLOW THINGS DOWN.

We like QB contains over flat zones because the QB contain player will actually make a play on the ball. Many times this adjustment results in a batted down pass or an interception. Nothing is better than making this adjustment and having it result in 6.

3 USER-DEFEND

HIGH RISK, HIGH REWARD.

User-defending screens can be extremely rewarding, but it can also result in big plays for your opponent. At the snap of the ball you need to read that the screen is happening. Take control of your user defender and scrape through the pulling blockers. If you are quick you can beat them to the point of attack and take down the ball carrier before he can move upfield. The issue with this is that it can be difficult to get by the blockers. If you get taken out of the play there is potential for a big play by your opponent.

2 MAN AND ZONE COMBINATION DEFENSE

PLAYING A MAN AND ZONE COMBINATION CAN RESULT IN CONFUSION AND BIG PLAYS FOR YOUR DEFENSE.

This defense requires two rules. Rule #1 is to always have a defender playing man-to-man on the screen player. Rule #2 is to always have a defender playing a flat zone on the screen side. Come up with any combination of defenses, but stick to those two rules and you will have great success stopping any screen in the game.

1 ALL OF THE ABOVE

THE PERFECT SCENARIO FOR STOPPING SCREENS WOULD BE TO USE DOLLAR 3-2-6—COVER 2 ZONE AND MAKE ALL THE OTHER ADJUSTMENTS.

Say your opponent is beating you with an HB Slip Screen. We would recommend the following: Call Dollar 3-2-6—Cover 2 zone. Hot route one of your LBs to man coverage on the HB. Hot route your DE to a QB contain. There is no way the HB Slip Screen will gain yards with this coverage. This is absolute lockdown defense.

Check out the Top 5 Option Requirements and get even more free Madden NFL 25 strategies!