Playbooks

PA Dig

Shotgun·Spread Dbl Flex·11

Play Action Dig Pass Play

Play diagram for PA Dig from Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Dbl Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 10 playbooks

49ers OffenseOffense Giants OffenseOffense Saints OffenseOffense Seahawks OffenseOffense Titans OffenseOffense NFL Live 49ers OffenseOffense NFL Live Giants OffenseOffense NFL Live Saints OffenseOffense NFL Live Seahawks OffenseOffense NFL Live Titans OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Dig runs off a play-action fake out of Shotgun Spread Dbl Flex, holding linebackers with the run fake before releasing four routes into the pattern. The backside receiver runs a deep dig across the middle as the primary read, with an outside receiver clearing vertically on a corner route to stretch the deep zones, while the near side runs a deep outside break and a shallow crossing route underneath to occupy the flats and hold linebackers. This is a play-action zone beater at its core, designed to punish linebackers who bite on the run fake and open throwing lanes over the middle for the dig route, with the corner route serving as a pressure release against man coverage on the boundary.

Defensive Reads

Key the middle linebacker and weak side linebacker at the snap, if they step up hard on the play-action fake the dig window will be wide open behind them. Check safety depth and rotation before the snap, two deep safeties usually means more room to work the dig into the intermediate middle, while a single high safety is a sign he can sit and rob the dig throw. Watch for a user-controlled defender flashing down into the shallow crossing route lane, since that lurk threat is the most common way this play gets picked off in competitive play. Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells with light box counts are prime targets for this concept because linebackers are stressed by both the run fake and the crossing traffic underneath. Man coverage teams that blitz off the edge can be an issue since the dig route needs time to develop, so watch the edge rushers and be ready to check down to the flat or crosser if pressure beats the play-action fake.

Usage Tips

Sell the run fake by holding the play-action animation out fully before your first read, especially against aggressive run fits that key the backfield. Use this on early downs like 1st and 10 or 2nd and medium when defenses are more likely to load the box or play run first, since the PA freeze on linebackers is what opens the dig window. Read the middle of the field pre-snap: if you see two deep safeties, work the dig immediately since the middle should be softer, but if it is one high, be ready to check down to the shallow crosser since the safety can rob the dig. Hot route the underneath crosser into a shallow drag or spot if you are facing a Cover 3 sink that clogs the intermediate middle. Pair this play in your call sheet with Y Shallow Cross or Mesh to condition the defense to expect quick underneath throws, then hit PA Dig off that same personnel look to attack downfield once linebackers start jumping shallow routes.