Playbooks

Levels Dig

Shotgun·Bunch Wide·11
DigLevelsPass PlayCover 2 BeaterDeep CrossCrosserDragSpeed OutSwing
Play diagram for Levels Dig from Shotgun Bunch Wide in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 3 playbooks

Shotgun MixVikings OffenseOffenseNFL Live Vikings OffenseOffense

Receiver routes

Depth-chart slots are shown as they line up in the base package for this set.

See this play with a team's players
PlayerSideRoute
HB1LeftSwing
WR3RightDeep In
WR1LeftSpeed Out
WR2RightDrag
TE1RightDeep Cross

Read progression

  1. TE1 right, Deep Cross
  2. WR3 right, Deep In
  3. WR2 right, Drag
  4. HB1 left, Swing or WR1 left, Speed Out

Breakdown

Levels Dig from Shotgun Bunch Wide brings the bunch receivers into a two level stretch on the right side while the backside X runs a deep dig across the field. The bunch releases with the outside receiver clearing vertically to the numbers, the middle bunch receiver working a shallow crossing route underneath, and the point man in the bunch sitting on a short in cut near the sticks, creating the classic Levels stack read from low to high on one side of the field. The single receiver TE or FB out of the backfield releases on a check release flare to the flat as a shallow outlet. This is a Cover 2 beater built to attack the seam between the corner and safety with the levels stack, while the dig gives you a answer versus single high shells. Primary read progression starts with the deep dig if the defense shows Cover 3 or Cover 1 with no safety help over the top, then works to the levels stack on the play side reading the flat defender to throw over or under him, and checks down to the flare route as the final safety valve.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify if the defense shows two deep safeties or one, this single read tells you whether to prioritize the levels stack or the dig route. Watch the flat defender on the bunch side after the snap, if he sinks with the shallow crosser you throw the intermediate in cut over him, if he sits flat you go under with the shallow route. Key the middle linebacker or the deep safety rotation on the dig route, if the safety bites on the levels stack the dig will be wide open behind him in the void. This play struggles against a hard user controlled robber sitting in the shallow zone or a Tampa 2 look with a deep middle linebacker, both threaten the dig and the shallow crosser simultaneously. Watch for man coverage disguised pre-snap, if defenders shift with the bunch motion or show tight man alignment, the levels stack loses its natural separation and you should lean on the dig or the flare check down instead.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion or a hot route check to confirm if the defense is playing zone or man before the snap since the levels stack only opens up versus zone drops.

Look for two safeties splitting the field deep, this confirms Cover 2 or Cover 4 and tells you to hammer the levels concept on the play side rather than forcing the dig.

Against single high safety looks like Cover 3 or Cover 1, go to the dig route immediately since it crosses into the vacated middle of the field behind the linebackers.

Pair this play with Curl Flat or Spacing from the same Bunch Wide set to keep the defense guessing between quick game and the deeper levels stretch, this sets up explosive plays once the defense starts jumping the short routes.

Best called on second and long or third and medium situations where the sticks line up with the intermediate in cut of the levels concept, giving you a built in conversion answer if the dig is covered.

Other Plays in Bunch Wide