Playbooks

PA Cross Y Delay

Singleback·Wing Close·12

Play Action Crosser Delay Pass Play

Play diagram for PA Cross Y Delay from Singleback Wing Close in Madden 27

Quick Reference

FormationSingleback

SetWing Close

Personnel

121 RB · 2 TE · 2 WR

In 2 playbooks

Patriots OffenseOffense NFL Live Patriots OffenseOffense

Breakdown

PA Cross Y Delay is a play-action pass out of Singleback Wing Close 12 personnel that shows a run fake before the quarterback works a three level stretch. The X receiver runs a deep crosser from the backside all the way across the field, the TE releases vertically then breaks back with a delayed corner route off the play-action fake, and the HB or Y checks into the backfield before slipping out on a delayed release into the flat. The delayed release and deep crossing route make this a strong man beater since the crosser stresses man defenders working through traffic while the delay route exploits linebackers who bite on the run fake, and the primary read progression starts with the deep crosser, moves to the delayed corner breaking route, and checks down to the flat release if both are covered.

Defensive Reads

Pre-snap, identify single high safety looks like Cover 3 or Cover 1 since the deep crosser is most vulnerable when there is no second deep defender to help over the top. Watch linebacker depth before the snap, if they are sitting shallow expecting run support they will get exposed by the delayed route and the crossing route working behind them. Post-snap, track any user-controlled defender who spies or lurks in the shallow to intermediate zone, since a rover-type defender sitting in the middle of the field can jump both the crosser and the delay route. This play struggles against Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, since the crosser runs directly into help and the corner route from the delay has to fit a tight window underneath the safety. Heavy zone blitz packages that bring extra rushers while dropping a linebacker into the shallow flat zone can disrupt the timing of the delay route and force an early checkdown.

Usage Tips

Use this play on early downs like first or second and short to mid distance when the defense is respecting the run based on your personnel grouping and formation tendency.

Check for man coverage indicators pre-snap such as corners lined up across from receivers with no safety help over the top, since the deep crosser is designed to win against man defenders in trail technique.

Sell the play-action fake by holding the run button through the fake animation, this freezes linebackers and opens the delayed corner route and flat release for easy completions if the crosser is taken away.

Pair this play with HB Mid Zone or Duo earlier in a drive to build run tendency, then dial up PA Cross Y Delay once the defense starts cheating up on run downs.

If the user drops a defender into the crosser's lane, look immediately to the delay route breaking to the corner since the timing is designed to hit right as linebackers commit to the fake.