Playbooks

RPO Alert Smoke

Shotgun·Trey Open HB Str·11

RPO Pass Play Run Play

Likely unavailable in the playbook builder

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

Play diagram for RPO Alert Smoke from Shotgun Trey Open HB Str in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Open HB Str

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

Breakdown

RPO Alert Smoke is an RPO out of Shotgun Trey Open HB Str that pairs an inside zone run read with a bubble/smoke concept to the boundary. The HB runs the zone path behind a standard zone blocking front, the slot receiver to the trey side runs a quick smoke/bubble route while his outside teammate cracks down with an in-breaking route to clear the flat, and the backside X receiver runs a vertical release up the numbers as the alert option. The primary read is pre-snap and immediate post-snap: identify the numbers and leverage on the smoke side first, then hand off to run the zone scheme if the defender assigned to the bubble crashes or if the box count favors the run.

Defensive Reads

Watch the slot corner or overhang defender on the trey side, if he sinks into a zone drop or widens too far, the smoke throw is wide open for an easy pitch and catch. Key the second level linebacker who is responsible for the bubble flat, aggressive blitzers or run fits that crash inside leave the smoke uncovered. Man coverage with the corner playing tight outside leverage on the smoke receiver takes away the quick throw and forces the zone run read. Single high safety shells with the corner playing off the backside alert receiver are prime for the vertical shot if the QB reads it presnap. Two high shells that keep numbers even in the box and get quick outside leverage on the bubble receiver from depth completely shut down both options.

Usage Tips

Check the flat defender on the trey side before the snap, if he is sitting inside or cheating toward the box, throw the smoke immediately for a numbers advantage.

Use the alert vertical route on the backside as a built in shot play against single high safety looks or when the corner shows hard outside leverage on the smoke.

Snap the ball quickly against defenses that show blitz to force the defense into a conflict, either the run fits get skewed or the bubble defender bites on the run action.

Pair this with RPO Zone Alert Smoke or RPO Peek Bubble in your play calling script so the defense cannot key run or pass based on formation tendencies.

Best used on early downs or short yardage third downs where a free access smoke throw for positive yardage keeps you ahead of the sticks without risking a sack.