Playbooks

PA Comebacks

Shotgun·Spread·10

Play Action Pass Play Comeback Post In

Play diagram for PA Comebacks from Shotgun Spread in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetSpread

Personnel

101 RB · 0 TE · 4 WR

In 7 playbooks

Balanced OffenseOffense Balanced Run OffenseOffense Run And Shoot OffenseOffense Run N Gun OffenseOffense Superstar QB Gunslinger Superstar WR Deep Threat Superstar WR RAC

Breakdown

PA Comebacks out of Shotgun Spread uses a play-action fake to freeze linebackers before attacking the perimeter with a four man route combo. Both outside receivers run comebacks breaking back to the sideline at intermediate depth, the play side slot runs a deep vertical to hold the safety, and the backside slot runs a deep in that crosses the field underneath the vertical. This is a play-action, man beater concept designed to punish aggressive corners playing off coverage, with the primary read starting at the boundary comeback and progressing to the deep in route if the corner sits low or the throwing window closes.

Defensive Reads

Watch the play side cornerback at the snap, if he opens his hips and drives on the comeback route before the break, look to the deep in route or the far side comeback instead. Identify single high safety shells before the snap, since this concept is designed to exploit corners without deep help on comebacks breaking toward the sideline. Track the underneath linebackers after the play-action fake, if they bite hard on the run action the deep in route will have a wide open throwing lane. Beware of user controlled defenders sitting in the flat or shallow zone, since they can jump the comeback route if the quarterback telegraphs the throw. Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells with corners playing off coverage are vulnerable, but press man coverage with safety help over the top can disrupt the timing on the comeback breaks.

Usage Tips

Sell the run fake with a smooth pump before resetting your feet to throw, since a rushed drop kills the timing on the comeback routes.

Use this on second and long or third and medium when defenders are keying run action or sitting on shorter routes.

Check pre-snap for corners playing tight man with no safety help over the top, since the comeback route can get undercut easily if the corner has outside leverage.

Hot route the backside comeback into a hitch or curl against soft zone coverage to speed up the timing against underneath linebacker drops.

Pair this play with 45 Quick Base or Curl Flats earlier in a drive to condition the defense to expect quick game, then hit the comeback for a chunk gain when corners jump the short stuff.