Playbooks

PA Comebacks

Shotgun·Doubles·11
Play ActionPass PlayComeback
Play diagram for PA Comebacks from Shotgun Doubles in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 3 playbooks

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Breakdown

PA Comebacks is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Doubles that sells the run fake before releasing four receivers into a comeback heavy route combo. The play side comeback breaks back to the sideline after selling a deep vertical stem, the backside receiver runs a corner style comeback breaking outside, and the slot receiver from the play side works a deep post up the middle while the remaining receiver runs a short comeback underneath. This is primarily a zone beater that punishes cornerbacks and safeties who sit on the play fake or drop too deep, with the primary read progression starting on the play side comeback, then working to the deep post if the safety bites on the fake, and coming down to the underneath comeback as the checkdown against pressure.

Defensive Reads

Read the play side cornerback first, if he sinks deep or bites on the run fake the comeback route will sit wide open in the void. Watch the deep post route as a home run window against single high safety looks like Cover 3 or Cover 1 where the safety cheats toward the play fake. Identify zone drops from linebackers, if they flow hard to the play fake side the underneath comeback becomes a easy check down with room to run. This play struggles against aggressive Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells where cornerbacks stay disciplined at the line and do not bite on the play action, since the comebacks lose their leverage advantage. Beware of user controlled lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field, they can jump the deep post read if the quarterback stares it down too long, so progress through reads quickly.

Usage Tips

Use this play on second or third and medium to long when defenses are more likely to sit in zone coverage and respect the play fake. Check the pre-snap safety alignment, if you see two high safeties holding depth this is a strong indicator the comebacks will sit down in soft spots against zone drops. Hot route the backside comeback into a deeper out or corner route if you see man coverage from a corner playing tight technique, since the comeback route naturally beats zone but needs extra separation against man. Pair this play with Curl Flats or Deep In earlier in a series so the defense keys on shorter combinations, then hit PA Comebacks to attack cornerbacks jumping underneath routes. Look to call this off a run heavy series using HB Counter or Inside Zone so linebackers and safeties respect the play action fake and create bigger throwing windows on the comeback breaks.

Other Plays in Doubles