Playbooks

Mtn HB Screen

Shotgun·Wing Trio·11
Screen PassHb ScreenMotionPass Play
Play diagram for Mtn HB Screen from Shotgun Wing Trio in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationShotgun

In 2 playbooks

Raiders OffenseOffenseNFL Live Raiders OffenseOffense

Breakdown

Mtn HB Screen out of Shotgun Wing Trio is a designed HB screen with a jet motion tag that shifts the defense before the snap. The gold route shows a receiver working across the formation and up the seam as a decoy to pull second-level defenders out of position, while the blue route runs a shallow drag underneath to hold linebackers, and the red route runs a flat clear-out to occupy the corner. The offensive line and backfield sell pass protection for a beat before releasing to set up blockers in front of the HB, making this a zone beater designed to punish overpursuing linebackers and aggressive blitz packages. Primary read is the HB out of the backfield, with the drag and flat routes serving as outlet options if the screen is sniffed out.

Defensive Reads

Watch for defenders trailing the pre-snap motion man, which signals man coverage and can tip off whether the screen lane will be clogged by a spy. Read linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebacker drops usually mean the defense recognizes screen action and will sit on the HB. Key on edge defenders and whether they crash hard upfield off the snap, since this indicates blitz packages that this screen is designed to exploit. Look for a user-controlled defender staying home in a lurk spot near the line of scrimmage, since a disciplined user lurk can blow up the screen before blockers get set. Zone coverages with deep-dropping linebackers and no immediate pressure are the toughest matchup for this concept, since it gives defenders time to read and react to the screen.

Usage Tips

Use pre-snap motion to identify if the defense is playing man or zone based on whether a defender follows the motion man across the formation.

This play excels against zone blitz calls and aggressive nano blitz packages because the delayed line release catches disciplined pass rushers moving too far upfield.

Avoid calling this against defenses that show heavy inside blitz looks with linebackers crashing downhill immediately, since screen tempo needs the front seven to bite on the pass rush first.

Pair this with Mtn Whip Deep Flood or PA X Corner earlier in a drive to condition the defense to respect vertical shots, making the screen hit harder later.

Best used on early downs or after a big pass play when the defense is likely to dial up pressure, since the screen naturally counters blitz-heavy tendencies.

If the AI or user defender jumps the screen read immediately, check down to the shallow drag route for a quick underneath completion instead of forcing the HB screen.

Other Plays in Wing Trio