Playbooks

Curl

Shotgun·Tight Doubles·11

Curl Pass Play

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This play belongs to no NFL team or scheme playbook, so it may not appear in the in-game builder.

Play diagram for Curl from Shotgun Tight Doubles in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTight Doubles

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

Breakdown

Curl out of Shotgun Tight Doubles sends both outside receivers on curl routes at intermediate depth, breaking back to the quarterback while the two inside receivers clear underneath with crossing drag routes that sit down in the void vacated by the curls. The tight end or slot runs a quick drag to the opposite flat, giving the quarterback a built in checkdown against pressure. This is a zone beater at its core, using the curl and drag combo to settle receivers in the soft spots between zone defenders, though it also has man beater traits since the curl route stems can create separation off breaks against tight coverage. Primary read progression starts with the near side curl, works to the backside curl if that window is closed, and dumps down to the crossing drag as the checkdown outlet.

Defensive Reads

Key the flat defenders and hook zone linebackers immediately after the snap, if they sink deep to take away the curls the crossing drag underneath will be wide open. Watch for Cover 3 sink where the cornerback drops into the deep third and the curl sits in the honey hole in front of him, this coverage shell struggles against the timing of the curl breaks. Identify man coverage pre-snap through cornerback alignment, if they are playing tight press or bump technique the curl route can be sat down hard to create separation on the comeback. Beware of a user controlled defender sitting in the shallow crossing lane, since a smart user can jump the drag route and undercut the checkdown read, forcing the quarterback to hold the ball longer against the curls. Look for Cover 4 or quarters shells where the flat defenders squat hard on the curl depth, this alignment can bait the quarterback into a risky throw so be ready to reset to the backside curl or checkdown drag instead.

Usage Tips

Diagnose the coverage shell before the snap by checking safety depth, if you see two deep safeties sitting at 10 to 12 yards you are likely facing zone coverage and should target the curl windows immediately after the break.

Use the crossing drag route as a built in answer to underneath zone blitzes or five man pressure since it clears out quickly and gives you a safety valve before the pocket collapses.

Hot route the backside curl into a corner route or flat route if you expect Cover 3 sink from the flat defender, this creates a natural conflict for the outside third defender.

Pair this play with Browns Curl or PA Deep Curls in your called sequence to keep linebackers and safeties honest on curl depth reads while disguising your intent from the same personnel look.

Best used on second and medium to long distance situations where the sticks sit between 6 and 12 yards, since both curl routes settle at a depth that consistently beats off zone drops and moves the chains.