Playbooks

PA Post Cross

Shotgun·Deuce Close·12

Play Action Post Pass Play Crosser

Play diagram for PA Post Cross from Shotgun Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetDeuce Close

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

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Breakdown

PA Post Cross is a play-action shot play out of Shotgun Deuce Close that combines a deep post from the boundary receiver with a crosser from the far side flooding the middle of the field. Off the play fake, one route continues vertical up the seam while the crossing route works underneath from the opposite side, and the backside receiver runs a deep out to the numbers to hold the corner. This is a man beater at its core since the crosser creates natural separation against man defenders trailing across the field, but it also stresses single-high zone shells by attacking the post window behind the linebackers. The primary read progression starts with the post shot off the play fake, then works down to the crosser sitting in the void, with the deep out as the last resort checkdown against soft coverage.

Defensive Reads

Identify single-high safety alignment pre-snap since that confirms the post has a lane against man or Cover 3 zone drops. Watch for two-high shells rotating down after the snap, which signals Cover 4 or Cover 2 and should immediately shift your eyes to the crosser sitting underneath. Key the middle linebacker's drop on the play fake. If he bites hard on the run action, the crosser will have a wide throwing lane behind him. Look for a user-controlled defender lurking in the shallow middle zone, since that player can jump the crosser if the quarterback stares it down too long. Against man coverage with no safety help over the top, the post will win most reps, but if you see a Cover 2 shell with corners playing outside leverage, expect the deep out to be the only clean option.

Usage Tips

Sell the play fake by holding the analog stick or letting the animation play out fully before your first read, since a rushed drop kills the deep shot timing.

Use this on early downs or in play-action heavy game plans where the defense has shown run tendencies out of Deuce Close personnel, since the run fake sells harder against aggressive linebacker flow.

Check the safety alignment pre-snap. Against two-high shells the post will be capped, so shift your first read to the crosser as your primary target instead of forcing the deep ball.

Hot route the deep out into a comeback if you are facing a corner sitting on the sideline route, and consider motioning a receiver to confirm man versus zone before the snap.

Pair this call with Exit Dagger or PA Deep Cross from the same set to keep the defense guessing between deep post shots and intermediate crossers, forcing linebackers to respect both the play fake and the crossing traffic.