Playbooks

Dagger Deep Curl

Shotgun·Trey Open·11
CurlDaggerPass PlayCover 2 BeaterCover 3 Beater
Play diagram for Dagger Deep Curl from Shotgun Trey Open in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

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Breakdown

Dagger Deep Curl lines up out of Shotgun Trey Open with three receivers bunched to the left and a tight formation to the right. The backside runs a flat route out of the backfield into a corner route up the sideline, paired with a deep curl sitting down in the intermediate zone at the numbers. To the right side, the TE or slot runs a deep vertical seam straight up the middle while the outside receiver runs a deep in route across the field behind it, creating the classic Dagger clear out concept that stacks a vertical seam route with a deep dig behind it, working the boundary and creating natural picks against man coverage. This is a man beater at its core, using the vertical seam to clear out underneath defenders and open the deep in route right behind it, but it also stresses the middle of the field against zone coverage since the seam route occupies the deep middle defender while the curl and dig settle into soft spots. The primary read starts with the deep in route (the dagger dig) working off the seam clear out, then works down to the curl route sitting at the sticks, and checks down to the flat route as the final option.

Defensive Reads

Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap, if he sinks too deep on the seam route he opens up the curl route in the intermediate area for an easy completion. Key the free safety's leverage presnap, if he cheats toward the seam route side you know the deep in route behind it will have single coverage and a wide throwing window. Look for corner blitzes off the edge, since the flat route out of the backfield serves as your answer against pressure and gives the QB a quick outlet before the seam and dig routes fully develop. This concept struggles against Cover 3 with a deep hole defender sitting in the middle of the field, since that defender can rob the deep in route if the quarterback holds the ball too long. User controlled defenders sitting in the middle zone as a lurk threat can jump the curl route, so read the flow of any user movement before committing to that throw.

Usage Tips

Presnap, identify if the safety is showing two high or rotating to single high, since this concept thrives against man coverage and single high looks where the seam route can occupy the free safety. If you see Cover 2 with two deep safeties, prioritize the curl route sitting in the soft spot between the underneath zone and the deep half. Use the flat route as a hot route outlet against blitz looks by keeping the RB in to check release if you see extra rushers walked up presnap. This play pairs well with Curls or Quick Slants in your play-calling sequence since those complementary concepts attack the same underneath zones and can set up defenders to bite on shorter routes before you hit them with the deep in behind the seam clear out. Best used on second and long or third and medium situations where the defense is more likely to sit in zone and give you access to the dig route working behind the seam.

Other Plays in Trey Open