Playbooks

Mtn FB Cross Screen

Shotgun·Split Slot Offset·20
Screen PassMotionPass PlayCrosser
Likely unavailable in the playbook builder
This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.
Play diagram for Mtn FB Cross Screen from Shotgun Split Slot Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

Not in any team playbook.

Breakdown

Mtn FB Cross Screen is a screen pass out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset that gets the fullback out into space behind a wall of linemen releasing to the flat. The three vertical stems from the outside receivers and slot are pure clock killers designed to occupy the deep defenders and hold the linebackers and safeties in place while the screen sets up underneath. The primary read is the FB screen itself: the QB looks immediately to the flat where the fullback releases and works behind his blockers, with the deep routes only in play if the defense jumps the screen and something breaks open late.

Defensive Reads

Watch for blitzing linebackers pre snap, this play is designed to gash aggressive pass rush packages that vacate the underneath zone. Identify if the defense is in man coverage with defenders locked onto the vertical routes, that man coverage pulls bodies away from the screen and opens the lane for the FB. Key on the curl to flat defender, if he sits flat footed and reads screen immediately this play gets shut down before it develops. Look for zone shells that keep linebackers shallow and squared to the box, disciplined zone defenders can jump the screen and blow it up for a loss. Post snap, track any user controlled defender lurking near the line of scrimmage, a spy or lurk defender sitting on the FB release is the biggest threat to this concept.

Usage Tips

Throw this the instant you see linebackers crashing downhill on run action or blitzing off the edge, since the screen punishes overaggressive fronts.

Check the flat and curl to flat defenders before the snap, if a corner or linebacker is sitting right on the FB release path this play gets tough to execute.

Use the three verticals as window dressing against man coverage teams that like to press and chase, it pulls defenders away from the screen lane.

Pair this with Mtn RPO Peek Swing or Mtn RPO Read Swing in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the quick swing and the delayed FB cross screen.

Best called on early downs or after a string of successful vertical shots, when defenders start sitting deep this screen exploits the space they vacate underneath.

Avoid calling this against disciplined zone teams that keep linebackers at home, since the screen has nowhere to go if the shallow zone stays intact.

Other Plays in Split Slot Offset