MS Film Room Episode 4: Beating Cover 4 Defenses

In this episode of the Madden School Film Room, Stickwork is going over a bunch of different ways to beat cover 4 defenses in Madden 18.

All of the plays in this film room can be found in the Buffalo Bills offensive playbook which we did an ebook on earlier in the year.

Check it out below.

Playbook: Buffalo Bills

Formation: Gun Bunch HB STR

Play: Z Spot

Setup:

1. Put the B/O on a drag route

Reads:

1. The first read on this play is the A/X tight end in the flats
2. Then look for the RB/R1 corner route towards the sideline
3. If that is not there hit the B/O receiver on the drag
4. Finally, hit the X/Square receiver deep over the middle

Overview: This play beats Cover 4 effectively because it attacks the sidelines on the right side of the field. While also having the X/Square receivers route over the middle of the field

Playbook: Buffalo Bills

Formation: Gun Bunch HB STR

Play: Y Trail

Setup:

1. Put the A/X tight end on a streak
2. Put the running back on an out to the right

Reads:

1. The first read look for the running back quick out of the backfield
2. Then look for the RB/R1 route to the sideline
3. If that is not there look for the drag to the left side of the field
4. Then you have the post over the middle of the field on the low ball

Overview: This setup for this play is specifically to beat Cover 4. The streak frees up space for the post route to be open over the middle of the field.

Playbook: Buffalo Bills

Formation: Gun Bunch HB STR

Play: Inside Zone

Setup:

1. None

Reads:

1. Follow the blocks

Overview: This run is used to keep your opponent on their toes, so they cannot just guess pass every time we use this formation. Also, Inside Zone runs go straight up the middle making them most effective against Cover 4 defenses.

Playbook: Buffalo Bills

Formation: Gun Bunch HB STR

Play: PA Bunch Shot

Setup:

1. Put the RB/R1 receiver on a curl route
2. Max Protect

Reads:

1. The first read on this play is the RB/R1 receiver on the curl
2. Then look for the B/O receiver deep to the left side of the field
3. If that is not there look for the X/Square receiver for the bomb
4. If all else playmaker the curl route

Overview: This is one of the most effective ways to destroy Cover 4 in Madden 18. The X/Square receiver gets behind all the coverage for an easy touchdown.

Playbook: Buffalo Bills

Formation: Gun Y Trips HB WK

Play: PA Post Shot

Setup:

1. Put the B/O receiver on a drag route

Reads:

1. The first read on this play is the B/O receiver on the drag route
2. Then look for the RB/R1 receiver on the over route to the left of the field
3. Then finally find the X/Square receiver on the deep bomb

Overview: This is another effective way to bomb a Cover 4 deep for a touchdown. Having this concept in more than one formation makes it difficult for your opponent to cover.

Playbook: Buffalo Bills

Formation: Gun Tight Slots

Play: Bench Swap (Deep Bomb Setup)

Setup:

1. Put the A/X tight end on a drag route
2. Put the Y/Triangle receiver on a streak
3. Put the X/Square receiver on a fade

Reads:

1. The main read is the X/Square receiver on the deep bomb
2. Then you have check downs to the drag route and to the running back

Overview: This is a different way to bomb Cover 4 defenses. You must pass lead toward the sideline to the X/Square receiver for this to work.

Playbook: Buffalo Bills

Formation: Gun Tight Slots

Play: Bench Swap (Regular Setup)

Setup:

1. None

Reads:

1. The first read is the high low read on the right side of the screen between the running back and the B/O receiver
2. Then you have a high low read on the left side of the screen with the Y/Triangle and X/Square receivers
3. Lastly, check down to the A/X tight end curling in the middle of the field

Overview: This is a good way to attack a Cover 4 defense toward the sidelines. If the opponent is playing cloud flats or purple zones you will hit the short routes. If they are playing hard flats you would hit the deeper corner routes.

Playbook: Buffalo Bills

Formation: Gun Trips TE Offset

Play: X Under

Setup:

1. Put the Y/Triangle receiver on a drag route

Reads:

1. The first read is the Y/Triangle receiver quick over the middle
2. Then you have the high low read on the right side of the field with the running back and the A/X tight end
3. Then find the B/O receiver over the middle on what is basically a post route

Overview: This play incorporates all the different ways of beating a Cover 4 using in the film room besides the bomb. This attacks the sideline and also attacks over the middle of the field.