Playbooks

PA Deep Cross

Shotgun·Split Slot Offset·20

Play Action Deep Cross Pass Play Crosser

Play diagram for PA Deep Cross from Shotgun Split Slot Offset in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSplit Slot Offset

Personnel

202 RB · 0 TE · 3 WR

In 7 playbooks

Air Raid OffenseOffense Franchise Offense Gun Two-backOffense Panthers OffenseOffense Redskins OffenseOffense Two Back OffenseOffense NFL Live Panthers OffenseOffense NFL Live Redskins OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Deep Cross out of Shotgun Split Slot Offset shows a play-action fake designed to hold the linebackers before releasing a deep crossing route from the backside that works all the way across the field toward the numbers. The two outside receivers to the boundary side run vertical clear out routes to open the sideline and take the top off the coverage, while the underneath route to the flat gives the quarterback a checkdown against aggressive pursuit. The primary read starts with the deep crosser working left to right, and if the linebackers bite on the play-action or the crosser is not open, the quarterback progresses to the vertical routes stretching the defense downfield.

Defensive Reads

Watch the linebacker depth immediately after the snap, if they bite hard on the run fake and drop their eyes, the deep crosser will have a clean throwing lane across the middle. Identify Cover 3 versus Cover 1 pre-snap by checking safety alignment, Cover 3 zone defenders will sink and wall off the crosser while Cover 1 man defenders will trail it and give up separation on the break. Key the flat defender or curl to flat player, if that defender sits and reads the quarterback's eyes instead of the running back, the checkdown route gets taken away and forces a hold on the ball longer. Look for user controlled safeties rotating late to double the deep crosser, this is the biggest threat to this concept since a lurking user defender can undercut the route and create a turnover. Beware of disguised blitzes that bring extra pressure off the edge, since the play-action fake takes time to sell and a fast four man rush with a spy can collapse the pocket before the crosser clears the middle of the field.

Usage Tips

Sell the run fake by holding the ball and letting the play-action animation play out fully before looking to pass, this freezes linebackers and opens the window for the deep crosser.

Use this on early downs like first or second and short when defenses are more likely to bite on the run fake, since the play-action mechanics lose value in obvious passing situations.

Check the middle of the field pre-snap for single high versus two high safeties, single high means the crosser has more room to work underneath but the deep vertical routes face a lurking free safety.

Hot route the underneath flat route into a deeper option like a dig or corner if you see zone coverage sitting underneath, since the shallow route becomes a magnet for zone defenders in Cover 3 or Cover 4 looks.

Pair this play with Mtn PA Y Cross and Mtn PA Double Posts in the same set to keep defenders guessing on play-action shells, then mix in Inside Zone Split or HB Sweep to punish defenses that start jumping the pass read.