Madden NFL 25 – How to Stop the Run

Stopping the run is one of the most important aspects of playing defense in Madden NFL 25. If you can’t stop your opponent’s run game, it will be hard to focus on anything else for the rest of the game. Nothing is more frustrating than an opponent who knows you can’t stop the ground attack and sticks with it all game. Here are some tips to give you all the tools you need to stop the run this season! (Get more free Madden NFL 25 strategies!)

5 BRING ON THE BEEF

FORMATIONS LIKE THE 5-2 AND 4-4 ARE GREAT TO HAVE IN YOUR PLAYBOOK AGAINST OPTION OPPONENTS.

Making sure your best players are on the field to stop the run is crucial. Look for defensive linemen with good Strength (STR) and Block Shed (BSH) ratings. The 5-2 will add an extra defensive lineman up front, while the 4-4 will give you an extra linebacker. Look for linebackers with good Pursuit (PUR), Play Recognition (PRC), and Tackle (TAK) ratings. The quicker your computer players react to the run, the more containment you will see on the play. Have a consistent formation you feel comfortable with as your base run defense.

4 INVERTED COVER 2

ZONE DEFENSE IS A MORE CONSERVATIVE RUN DEFENSE. MAN-TO-MAN CAN BE RISKIER BUT MORE REWARDING.

After choosing your formation, look for a Cover 3 play. Use the defensive controls to shade the safeties in. Now you are protecting the middle of the field with your safeties. Depending on where you see your opponent’s strength, you can shift your line or linebackers in that direction. If your opponent is using a formation that has one TE on each side of the line, stay balanced and try spreading your linemen. The goal is to have every gap covered against the defense and not leave yourself with a weakness before the snap!

3 USER THE SAFETY

USER-CONTROL A LOW-RATED PLAYER WITH GOOD PHYSICAL SKILLS AND HE WILL PLAY ABOVE HIS RATING!

You called a Cover 3 but just made it into an inverted Cover 2. You can now take control of the safety and move him down in the box. This puts eight defenders up in the box and should make your opponent think twice about running the ball. Your safety is free to roam anywhere—have him moving at the snap of the ball so he can quickly get to top speed.

2 SET THE EDGE

LOOK OUT FOR DOUBLE-TEAM BLOCKS BY THE OFFENSIVE LINE!

With your safety now in motion, read the handoff. Your goal with your defender is to set the edge and not let the running back outside of your containment. The key is not to try and fight through the line with this player, but to eat a blocker, which will free up someone else to make the play. If the play is something to the outside like a toss, scrape down the line towards the sideline and try to beat the HB there. Don’t be a hero—just be another player doing his job.

1 TACKLE

DON’T GO FOR A HIT STICK WITH A PLAYER LIKE A CB UNLESS HE HAS FULL MOMENTUM.

If you do get to the ball, think about what type of tackle to attempt. If a blocker is between you and the ball carrier, tap the Tackle button to lunge and try to avoid the block. If it is just you and the ball carrier, hold the Tackle button and steer in cautiously while waiting for him to attempt a move. If you have teammates with you, consider going for a hit stick with the right stick. This move is risky if you miss, but since you have backup, it can be worth the chance. It can be frustrating to get in position but have your tackle get broken. Once you shut down your opponents on the first few runs, they should abandon the strategy and you can focus on the passing game. Defense is much easier when your opponent is one dimensional, and it all starts with stopping the run!

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Also check out Madden NFL 25 – How to Play Special Teams.