Playbooks

Levels

Shotgun·Duo Slot Open·20
LevelsPass PlayCover 2 Beater
Play diagram for Levels from Shotgun Duo Slot Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 4 playbooks

Redskins OffenseOffenseShotgun OffenseOffenseSpread ClassicNFL Live Redskins OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Levels out of Shotgun Duo Slot Open is a classic Cover 2 beater built on a two-man stacked route combo to the boundary. The outside receiver runs a deep dig back across the middle while the slot receiver underneath him runs a shallow crosser in the opposite direction, creating a natural rub and stacking multiple horizontal windows at different depths. On the backside, the far outside receiver runs a deep vertical go route to hold the safety, while the running back releases out of the backfield on a wheel route up the sideline as a checkdown or coverage-stressing outlet. The primary read progression starts with the deep dig (levels route) against zone coverage, then works down to the shallow crosser if the linebackers sink too far, with the running back's wheel as a late-developing answer against man coverage or blown assignments.

Defensive Reads

Check safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties are sitting at ten to twelve yards in a two high shell this play has a strong answer with the deep dig sitting right in the seam between them. Watch the middle linebacker's drop after the snap, if he sinks hard to cover the shallow cross the dig route behind him is open for a big gain. Beware of a user controlled safety sitting in the deep middle lurk area, since that defender can jump the dig route and turn it into a pick six if you telegraph the throw. Man coverage with underneath help can clog both crossing routes at the mesh point, so shift your first read to the running back's wheel route if you see man alignment with a linebacker shadowing the back out of the backfield. Watch for a Cover 3 buzz look where a linebacker or safety rotates to the shallow zone, since that defender can undercut the crossing route and bait a pick if you rush the throw.

Usage Tips

Look for two high safeties pre-snap since Levels is purpose built to attack Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells by stacking the dig over the shallow cross.

Hot route the backside go into a comeback or post if you see a single high safety cheating toward the levels concept, since that removes the deep threat that holds the defense honest.

Use this on second and medium to second and long when you expect zone drops, since the levels combo needs linebackers to sink into shallow zones to open the window for the dig.

Pair this play with RPO Alert Hitches or RPO Alert Bubble earlier in a series to condition linebackers to stay shallow, then hit them with the deep dig once they start jumping quick game routes.

Against man coverage, prioritize the running back wheel route immediately since the levels crossers can get picked or bumped by trailing defenders in man technique.

Other Plays in Duo Slot Open