Playbooks

PA Curls

Shotgun·Spread Y-Flex·11

Play Action Pass Play Curl Deep Cross Crosser Flat

Play diagram for PA Curls from Shotgun Spread Y-Flex in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread Y-Flex

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

Raiders OffenseOffense NFL Live Raiders OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Curls is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Spread Y-Flex 11 personnel that sells a run fake before working a curl and drag combo underneath a deep vertical clearout. Off the play fake, the Y-Flex tight end runs a deep dig up the seam to occupy the middle of the field while the outside receiver on that side breaks off a shallow drag underneath, and the backside receiver runs an out breaking curl at the sticks. The two receivers on the right side of the diagram run vertical releases to hold the corners and safety deep, clearing space for the underneath route combo. Primary read progression starts with the deep dig if the play fake freezes linebackers, then works down to the curl, then the drag as the checkdown against zone drops.

Defensive Reads

Watch linebacker depth immediately after the snap. If they bite hard on the run fake and flow toward the mesh point, the curl and dig windows open up quickly for the quarterback. Identify the coverage shell before the snap. Two high safeties usually mean softer underneath zones, which favors the offense's curl and drag combo, while a single high safety often signals man coverage or a robber look that can jump the drag route. Beware of a user controlled defender lurking in the shallow zone or drag area, since that route is the easiest for a smart defender to sit on and jump. This play struggles against disciplined zone defenses that stay home on run fakes, particularly Tampa 2 or Mable 2 looks where the deep dig runs into a lurking safety. Look for blitz packages that bring extra defenders through the play fake gap. If the offensive line is not sliding protection correctly, quick pressure off the edge can disrupt the timing before the curl route develops.

Usage Tips

Use this on early downs (first or second and short to medium) when defenses are still respecting the run fake, since the play action sell is most effective when defenders bite on the mesh point.

Check safety depth pre-snap. If both safeties are deep (two high shell) the underlying curl and drag will have room to work against soft zone coverage, but if you see a single high safety rotate down expect the linebackers to sit on the curl route.

Hot route the drag into a deeper crosser or bump the curl route depth if you are facing a hard closing linebacker corps that flies downhill on the play fake.

Pair this play with Y Stick or Curl Flats earlier in a series to condition the defense to react to quick game, then hit them with the play fake once linebackers start jumping underneath routes.

Against man coverage, key the leverage of the defender on the curl route receiver. If he is playing outside shade, look to the drag or the deep dig on the tight end instead of forcing the curl.