Playbooks

Under Smoke

Quarter·Normal·Big Quarter 3-1-7
BlitzSafety Blitz
Play diagram for Under Smoke from Quarter Normal in Madden 27

Quick Reference

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Breakdown

Under Smoke is a five man safety blitz out of the Big Quarter 3-1-7 personnel in the Quarter formation. The diagram shows a five under, two deep shell with a blitzing safety and defensive backs converging on short crossing patterns, while two corners on the outside sink into deep quarter zones. This is a zone blitz look designed to disguise pressure while still holding two deep defenders over the top, and the primary read progression starts with the middle crossing routes at the intermediate level before working outside to the flat defenders who are reacting to the quick game.

Defensive Reads

Watch for offenses that release the running back quickly into the flat, since the blitzing safety leaves that area exposed for a split second. Key the tight end or slot receiver on shallow crossing routes first, this is the route combo the play is designed to take away underneath. If the quarterback shows a fast three step drop, expect quick game beaters and be ready to close on hitches and slants before the blitz arrives. This play beats teams that rely on quick pass RPOs and shallow cross man beaters but struggles against max protect play-action rollouts that hold blockers in. Post-snap, track the tight end's initial release, if he blocks instead of releasing it signals a run play and the safety blitz should stay home versus outside zone.

Usage Tips

Call this out of Quarter formation on third and medium to long when you expect a quick game or shallow cross concept from the offense.

Show two deep safeties pre-snap to disguise the blitz, then bring the extra rusher late to confuse offensive line protection sliding calls.

Pair this with Cover 3 Mable or Cover 4 Drop in the same play call sequence so quarterbacks cannot key on the safety blitz look every snap.

User the crossing underneath defender to jump quick outs and shallow drags, since the blitz eliminates the quarterback's easy checkdown window.

Avoid calling this against empty formations or heavy trips sets since the extra rusher can be picked up easily and leave the shallow crossers uncovered.

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