Playbooks

Fz 2 Deep

Quarter·Normal·Big Quarter 3-1-7

Cover 2 Fire Zone Zone Blitz Zone Coverage Blitz

Play diagram for Fz 2 Deep from Quarter Normal in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationQuarter

SetNormal

Personnel

Big Quarter 3-1-72 EDGEDTMIKE4 CB2 FSSS

In 7 playbooks

Cover 2 DefenseDefense Falcons DefenseDefense Franchise Defense NotsoezrzDefense Multiple D DefenseDefense Rams DefenseDefense NFL Live Falcons DefenseDefense NFL Live Rams DefenseDefense

Breakdown

Fz 2 Deep is a zone blitz out of Big Quarter 3-1-7 personnel that brings a four man pressure look while dropping two deep halves defenders over the top. The diagram shows both deep defenders sinking to the top of the screen splitting the field into two deep zones, with the underneath defenders on the right side rushing off the edge and through the middle while the left side underneath defender sinks into a short zone with a curl/flat player working outside. This is a fire zone blitz designed to disguise pressure with only two deep defenders, so the primary read for the defense is getting home with the rush before the quarterback identifies the two deep shells and throws into the vacated intermediate zones.

Defensive Reads

Key the running back and tight end release patterns first, since fire zone blitzes are vulnerable to check downs and quick outs if the underneath zone defenders get beat off the snap. Watch for offenses running deep crossing routes or seam shots, since only two deep defenders are responsible for the entire deep field and any natural pick or rub can spring a receiver open behind the shallow zone droppers. Identify empty backfield or spread bunch formations pre-snap, since these concepts stress the shallow zone droppers and can create natural picks against the underneath coverage shown on the right side. Get pressure home quickly using the extra rusher, because if the quarterback has time to survey the field this defense is exposed to intermediate crossers and deep posts splitting the two deep halves. Beware of play-action or RPO run reads, since the aggressive underneath rush can be exploited if run fits are not honored, leaving cutback lanes open against a light box.

Usage Tips

Show this look from a two high shell pre-snap so the offense cannot immediately tell if you are playing standard Cover 2 or bringing extra pressure.

Use the disguised rush to attack shotgun spread formations where the quarterback relies on quick timing throws, since the extra rusher forces faster decisions.

Pair this call with Cover 2 Spy or Cover 2 Man Spy in your play-calling sequence so quarterbacks cannot key on the blitz just from your base alignment.

Call this on third and medium or third and long when offenses expect a standard drop back concept, since the fire zone pressure can disrupt route timing before receivers clear the underneath zones.

Sub in athletic linebackers at the SAM and MIKE spots to maximize the effectiveness of the zone drops and rush lanes shown in the diagram.