Playbooks

PA X Post Cross

Singleback·Deuce Close·12
Play ActionPostCrosserPass Play
Play diagram for PA X Post Cross from Singleback Deuce Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

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Breakdown

PA X Post Cross runs a play-action shot concept out of Singleback Deuce Close 12 personnel. Off the run fake, the X receiver rips a post over the middle while a tight end runs a deep crosser from the opposite side, and the backside receiver breaks off an out route while an underneath receiver works a shallow drag. The play-action carries linebackers up on the run fake, opening the post and crosser behind them, making this primarily a man beater that exploits linebackers biting on the fake, with a primary read progression starting on the deep post, then working to the crosser if the post window is capped.

Defensive Reads

Read the safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety cheating to one side signals where the post has the best angle to split coverage. Watch linebacker depth at the snap, if they step up hard on the run fake it confirms man or zone with poor eyes downfield, which favors the post and crosser combo. Key the flow of the crossing tight end, if a user controlled defender jumps the crosser early it usually means the post is now singled up on the backside. Diagnose blitz packages quickly, since a hard edge blitz can beat the protection before the post fully develops, forcing a fast checkdown to the drag or out route. Cover 2 and Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties are the primary counter to this play, as they take away the post window and force you into low value underneath completions.

Usage Tips

Sell the play fake by holding the animation out fully before looking to pass, since bailing early kills the run fake leverage on linebackers.

Attack single high safety looks such as Cover 1 or Cover 3 where the post has room to split the safety and the crosser drags defenders away from the middle of the field.

Use motion or a quick pre snap read to identify if the defense is showing Cover 2 or Cover 4, since two deep safeties can squeeze the post window and force you to check down early to the drag or out.

Hot route the backside out to a comeback or speed out against aggressive corners playing off coverage to give yourself a quicker underneath answer if the deep shots are covered.

Pair this play with PA Deep Cross or PA Post Dig earlier in a drive to condition linebackers to sit on shorter crossers, then hit this shot play once they start jumping underneath routes.

Other Plays in Deuce Close