Playbooks

WR Mid Screen

Shotgun·Empty Base·11

Screen Pass Wr Screen Pass Play

Play diagram for WR Mid Screen from Shotgun Empty Base in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetEmpty Base

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 4 playbooks

Air Raid Classic OffenseOffense Franchise Offense Gun ScreengameOffense Redskins OffenseOffense NFL Live Redskins OffenseOffense

Breakdown

WR Mid Screen out of Empty Base is a quick-hitting screen pass built to punish overaggressive pass rushes and blitzes. From the empty backfield look, the interior linemen release downfield to set up a wall of blockers while the slot receiver sits underneath as the lone hot read, catching the ball just past the line of scrimmage with blockers already in front. The outside receivers run vertical stems to clear out cornerbacks and hold the deep defenders, making this a screen play with a single primary read: get the ball to the screen receiver in the flat as soon as he sets up behind his blockers.

Defensive Reads

Man coverage with blitz packages is the most vulnerable shell against this play since defenders are turning their backs to the screen receiver while rushing upfield. Watch for a spy or a linebacker sitting flat-footed in the middle of the field who can read the screen quickly and jump the throwing lane before blockers get set. Zone coverages with disciplined underneath defenders, especially cover 3 or cover 4 with linebackers staying home, can sniff out the screen and blow it up for a loss. Check cornerback depth pre-snap, if they are playing off coverage they will have an easier time squeezing back down on the screen once they read run action or blocker releases. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender who abandons a deep zone drop to jump underneath routes, since that lurk threat is the single biggest killer of this screen concept.

Usage Tips

Call this play when you see pressure indicators pre-snap like defenders showing blitz or safeties creeping into the box, since the screen naturally beats aggressive man and blitz packages.

Snap the ball quickly and throw with anticipation as soon as your blockers get out in front, do not wait for the receiver to fully settle or the defense will close the window.

Use the vertical releases from your outside receivers to bait cornerbacks into pressing or turning their hips, which opens up the screen lane even wider.

Pair this play with Fk Screen Sluggo or Fk Screen Verts in your play-calling sequence so the defense starts respecting the vertical fakes off similar formations and second-guesses screen tendencies.

Best used on early downs or after you have shown a heavy dose of verticals or four verts from this same Empty Base set, since defenses that key on Empty formation as pass-only become vulnerable to the quick screen release.