Playbooks

PA Slot Cross

Shotgun·Trey Y-Flex Str·11

Play Action Pass Play Crosser

Play diagram for PA Slot Cross from Shotgun Trey Y-Flex Str in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

SetTrey Y-Flex Str

Personnel

111 RB · 1 TE · 3 WR

In 2 playbooks

Chiefs OffenseOffense NFL Live Chiefs OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Slot Cross runs a play-action fake out of Shotgun Trey Y-Flex Str to hold the linebackers before releasing a deep crossing route as the primary answer. The diagram shows the two receivers to the left running vertical seam and corner routes to stretch the safeties, the slot receiver working a deep dig or crosser (the red route) across the middle of the field, and the outside receiver on the right running an out breaking route to clear the flat and give the quarterback a quick underneath option. This is a play-action man beater that also punishes zone defenders who bite on the run fake, with the primary read going to the crossing route working from the boundary to the field side.

Defensive Reads

Watch for linebackers stepping up hard on the run fake, this is your green light that the crosser will have a clean throwing lane behind them. If the defense shows two deep safeties pre-snap in a Cover 2 shell, expect the crosser to have to work underneath the safeties, so time the throw before it drifts into the deep middle help. Man coverage with a single high safety is the ideal shell for this play since the crossing route can exploit any trailing defender in space. Watch for a user linebacker sitting in a lurk spot in the shallow middle zone, as this can jump the crosser if the fake does not sell and the throw is telegraphed. Against heavy blitz packages, the play-action fake can be neutralized quickly, so if you see an overload blitz look pre-snap, be ready to check down to the right side out route immediately after the snap.

Usage Tips

Sell the play fake by holding the ball fully through the run animation before your first drop step, since defenders that respect the run action will open passing lanes for the crosser.

Check the safety depth pre-snap. If both safeties are sitting shallow expecting run support, throw the crosser in stride as soon as it clears the linebacker level.

Use the right side out route as your checkdown against zone drops that flood the middle, especially on third and short when you just need positive yardage.

Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Zone Peek Pop earlier in a drive so the defense starts keying run action, then hit them with the full play-action shot once they bite.

Against man coverage, the two vertical routes on the left occupy the corners and safety help, so trust the crosser to win separation against trailing linebackers or slower nickel defenders.