Playbooks

Mesh Dig

Shotgun·Bunch TE·11

Dig Mesh Pass Play Man Beater

Play diagram for Mesh Dig from Shotgun Bunch TE in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetBunch TE

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 3 playbooks

Benkert OffenseOffense Falcons OffenseOffense NFL Live Falcons OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Mesh Dig out of Shotgun Bunch TE runs a classic man beater concept with two crossing routes underneath at the sticks working opposite directions to create natural traffic for defenders in man coverage, while a third receiver from the bunch pushes vertically upfield before breaking into a dig route across the middle of the field. The lone receiver split out runs a corner route as a clear out to occupy the deep defender and open up the mesh underneath. The primary read progression starts with the mesh crossers working man leverage, then climbs to the dig sitting down in the void behind the mesh, with the corner route as a shot play checkdown if the defense sells out on the shallow crossers.

Defensive Reads

Watch for man coverage indicators pre-snap like tight press alignment on the outside receiver and linebackers shaded toward the bunch, this play thrives against man match schemes. If the defense shows a two high safety shell, expect the dig to have a soft window to work into since the corner route occupies the deep defender to that side. User linebackers who sit and read the mesh crossers can jump the shallow routes early, so be ready to climb your eyes to the dig if you see a defender sitting in that shallow window. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can disrupt this play since the mesh and dig need time to develop, look for the corner blitz or overload pressure as a sign to get the ball out on a quick option. Cover 3 sky or cloud looks with a hard corner squatting on the flat can jump the shallow crosser to that side, so be prepared to reset your eyes to the opposite crosser or the dig sitting behind the underneath zone defenders.

Usage Tips

Fire this play against man coverage looks where the mesh crossers can rub off defenders and create natural separation through traffic.

Check the pre-snap alignment of the corner over the lone split receiver, if he is playing tight man with no safety help over the top, take the shot on the corner route immediately.

Use the dig route as your bang or bail read against zone shells like Cover 3 or Cover 4, since it settles into the soft spot behind underneath linebackers and in front of deep zone defenders.

Pair this play with Bunch Levels or Mtn Return Flood Stick in your call sheet to keep the defense guessing between shallow crossers and stick concepts out of the same bunch look.

Best called on second or third and medium when you need a reliable man beater that also has zone answers built in, avoid calling it into heavy blitz looks since the mesh takes time to develop.