Playbooks

PA X Dig

I Form·Pro·21

Play Action Dig Pass Play

Play diagram for PA X Dig from I Form Pro in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationI Form

SetPro

Personnel

212 RB · 1 TE · 2 WR

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Breakdown

PA X Dig is a play-action pass out of I Form Pro 21 personnel that hits off a fake handoff to sell the run before the QB drops to throw. Off the play fake, the X receiver runs a deep dig, breaking in hard across the middle to settle over the linebackers, while the outside receiver to the other side clears vertically up the sideline as a decoy or shot route. The TE or slot runs a shallow crossing route underneath heading away from the dig, giving the QB a low-to-high or high-to-low read depending on coverage depth. The primary read is the X receiver's dig, with the crosser underneath as the checkdown against zone drops and the vertical route as the deep shot if the play fake pulls the safety down.

Defensive Reads

Watch the middle linebacker and weakside linebacker at the snap. If they bite on the run fake and step up, the dig window opens immediately behind them. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap. Single high means the dig has to split the hole between the safety and linebackers, while two high often leaves a bigger throwing lane underneath. If you're on defense, user the middle linebacker or a hook zone defender and sit on the dig route since it is the play's clear first read. Cover 3 with an aggressive underneath robber can jump the dig route and bait a turnover, so watch for defenders sinking early instead of respecting the play fake. Man coverage with no safety help over the top on the X receiver is the worst case scenario for the defense, since the dig will win against most man technique corners.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs when defenses expect run based on personnel and formation, since the play fake against base 21 personnel sells hard to linebackers and safeties.

Check the middle linebacker depth pre-snap. If he is sitting shallow expecting run, the dig has a clean throwing window once the play fake clears him out.

Against man coverage, the dig is a legit man beater because the break creates natural separation, especially if the corner is playing with outside leverage.

If you see two deep safeties post-snap, look to the underneath crosser first since the dig may be sitting in a linebacker's zone.

Pair this with HB Lead Draw or 26 Duo earlier in a series to condition the defense to bite on run action, then hit them with PA X Dig once they start creeping linebackers up.