Playbooks

Nickel Sim 2

Nickel·3-3 Dbl Mug·Base 3-4
Cover 2DB BlitzSimulated PressureZone CoverageBlitz
Play diagram for Nickel Sim 2 from Nickel 3-3 Dbl Mug in Madden 27

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Nickel Sim 2 is a simulated pressure call out of the 3-3 Dbl Mug look that shows a stacked front at the line before dropping into a Cover 2 zone shell. Both deep safeties bail hard to their halves while the nickel corner and slot corner sink into underneath zone drops on the flanks, and the interior linebackers spike downhill as the shown blitzers peel off to rob shallow crossing and hook zones. This is a zone based simulated pressure designed to disguise a blitz look pre snap and bait the quarterback into a hot throw, only to have the underneath zone defenders and deep half safeties collapse on the intended target.

Defensive Reads

Pre snap, identify whether the offense is in shotgun with a quick game concept, since sim pressure is most effective against quick hitting man beaters that expect extra rushers. Post snap, key the two deep safeties splitting the field into halves, and use one to help over the top on any vertical route from the slot or outside receiver. Watch the underneath zone drops from the nickel and outside corner on the flanks, since they are responsible for cutting off flat and curl routes that offenses use against perceived blitzes. This call beats teams that rely on hot routing into quick slants or shallow crosses against blitz shows, since the underneath defenders sit right in those windows. This call can be exposed by disciplined quarterbacks who check it down or attack the seams between the zone drops, so be ready to close throwing lanes with user pursuit on any linebacker.

Usage Tips

Show this look on early downs when you want to disguise pressure without actually sending extra rushers, since the front shows six or seven potential blitzers before bailing into coverage.

Watch the quarterback pre snap for hot route audibles aimed at the middle of the field, since the sim drop is designed to erase hot throws over the middle by dropping bodies into the vacated zones.

User the deep half safety to the passing strength if you expect a go ball or deep out, since the two deep safeties are the last line against any vertical shot down the numbers.

Pair this call with Nickel Overload 3 or SS Dog 3 from the same set to keep the offense guessing between a real blitz and a simulated drop, since both plays share a similar pre snap picture.

Use this on second and long or third and medium situations where the offense is likely to attack the middle quickly against what looks like a blitz.

Other Plays in 3-3 Dbl Mug