Playbooks

Cross Sim 2

Nickel·2-4·Nickel 2-4-5
Cover 2Simulated PressureLine StuntZone CoverageBlitz
Play diagram for Cross Sim 2 from Nickel 2-4 in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationNickel
Set2-4

In 34 playbooks

3-4 DefenseDefenseBills DefenseDefenseBroncos DefenseDefenseBuccaneers DefenseDefenseCardinals DefenseDefenseChargers DefenseDefenseCowboys DefenseDefenseEagles DefenseDefenseFalcons DefenseDefenseGiants DefenseDefensePackers DefenseDefensePanthers DefenseDefense

Breakdown

Cross Sim 2 is a Cover 2 simulated pressure package out of Nickel 2-4-5 that disguises where the fifth rusher comes from. Both defensive ends drop into coverage (the white route arrows) while the two second level defenders cross and blitz through the A and B gaps off a line stunt, creating a simulated four man rush with a green zone dropper sitting in the shallow middle hole and both deep corners rolling into the two deep safety shell. This is a zone based blitz beater play designed to bait quick game and hot reads into the underneath crossers while the stunt disguises interior pressure, so the primary read progression is to identify whether the QB's protection scheme picks up the stunt first, then work sideline to sideline off the two deep safety shell since the flats and intermediate middle are the most exposed zones post snap.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the offense is in a spread shotgun look with quick game tendencies, since this stunt package is built to jump hitches, slants and shallow crosses before they develop. Watch the offensive line's protection slide, if they are sliding away from the stunt side you can user the looping rusher for a free run at the QB. Post-snap, key the running back or check down receiver settling into the shallow middle zone where the green dropper sits, since that defender is manually assigned to rob that exact window. If the QB holds the ball and looks to climb the pocket, user the interior blitzer that loops through the stunt for a coverage sack opportunity before he can reset his eyes. This call gets exposed by max protect play-action shots and deep double moves outside the numbers, since both corners are locked into the two deep shell and cannot help over the top if the underneath rush does not disrupt the timing.

Usage Tips

Call this out of Nickel 2-4-5 on early downs or second and medium when you expect quick game or shotgun spread formations that like to attack with slants and flat routes. Pre-snap, check if the offense has a running back or slot receiver who tends to sit in the shallow zone, since the green dropper is designed to squat right in that window and bait check downs. Use the line stunt to your advantage against offenses that struggle picking up interior pressure, and disguise it by showing a normal two deep shell before the snap so the QB cannot diagnose the blitz early. Pair this call with Cover 2 Invert or Cover 2 Match on back to back snaps so the QB cannot key on the same shell every time, since the disguised stunt look plays off a static two deep picture. Avoid calling this on third and long against teams that love four verticals or deep crossers, since the two deep shell can get stressed vertically if the stunt does not get home in time.

Other Plays in 2-4