Playbooks

Deep Curls

Shotgun·Split Slot Open·20

Curl Pass Play Angle Swing

Play diagram for Deep Curls from Shotgun Split Slot Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSplit Slot Open

Personnel

202 RB · 0 TE · 3 WR

In 1 playbook

Power Run OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Deep Curls out of Shotgun Split Slot Open sends both inside receivers on crossing dig routes that settle into curl breaks at intermediate depth, with the backside outside receiver running a vertical seam and the frontside slot receiver working a flat route out of the backfield area. The backside X runs a straight go route up the boundary to hold the deep safety, while the flat route to the left clears underneath space for the crossing curls. This is primarily a zone beater, using the crossing action to create natural separation against zone drops in the middle of the field, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser breaking to the near curl, then works to the far curl, and comes off the ball late to the flat if the underneath zones jump the crossers.

Defensive Reads

Identify two high safeties pre-snap since this indicates zone coverage underneath that the crossing curls are designed to exploit. Watch the middle linebacker and both curl to flat defenders post-snap, if they widen too early to jump the flat route the curl windows open up over the middle. Beware of a single high safety rotating down into the box, this often signals man coverage or a Cover 3 buzz that can undercut the crossing routes with a rat defender. Key on user controlled linebackers sitting in the throwing lanes of the curl breaks, if a defender is spying the middle of the field the deep crosser to the far curl becomes the better option. Look for corner blitzes off the edge since the flat route release can be delayed by an aggressive edge rusher, forcing a quicker decision to the near curl.

Usage Tips

Check pre-snap for two high safeties before the snap since this play thrives against Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells with soft underneath zones.

Use the flat route as your check down valve if linebackers sink hard into the curl windows, especially against Cover 3 with a deep middle defender.

Hot route the backside go route into a comeback against press man coverage if you see a corner shaded outside with no safety help over the top.

Pair this play with Mtn Flood or PA Y Cross in your play calling sequence to keep defenses guessing between vertical shots and horizontal stretch concepts out of the same formation.

Best called on second and long or third and medium since the curl breaks need time to develop and the deep crossers need a full route stem to shake zone defenders.