The emphasis in Madden 2005 is defense; in fact Baltimore Ravens' stellar linebacker Ray Lewis dons this year's cover. There are several new defensive enhancements, including a series of defensive playmaker options, adjustments, and the hit stick, used to deliver a punishing blow to lodge the ball loose. This section covers defensive formations and packages, new Madden 2005 defensive playmaker control, utilizing the hit stick, and managing a stubborn defense.
Each NFL team features a specific playbook. This table reveals the available defenses within each defensive playbook.
The following table covers each defense, provides a description, lists available packages, and provides commentary on advantages and disadvantages.
| FORMATION | DESCRIPTION | PACKAGES | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
| Goal Line | Tight formation for short-yardage situations. | Safety Swap, Jumbo, 3 DT, LB Ends | Excellent in short yardage situations (three yards or less) when you can expect a run play. Adjust the line and linebackers to pinch the expected run route. | Vulnerable to pass plays, especially if you blitz the linebackers and it's blocked. Be ready to switch out of goal line if the offense calls an audible and you now expect a pass. |
| 4-3 Normal | Four defensive linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs. | CB Swap, Safety Swap, Coverage Flip, LB Flip | This is the base defense for more NFL teams. A solid all-around defense, particularly against inside runs and short to medium passes. | Vulnerable to multiple wide out sets, especially if you're in man coverage. Can be susceptible to the outside run if you blitz linebackers. |
| 4-3 Over | Moves outer linebackers to the line for six defensive linemen, two linebackers, and four defensive backs. | CB Swap, Safety Swap, Coverage Flip, LB Flip | Strong against the run and outside run as linebackers move up on the line. Can be an effective blitz package. | Beware of the inside run if the back gets through the line. There are only two linebackers there now. Like 4-3 Normal, very open to the passing game, including crossing routes over the middle. |
| 3-4 | Three defensive linemen, four linebackers, and four defensive backs. | CB Swap, Safety Swap, Coverage Flip, OLB Flip, MLB Flip | Several NFL teams now use the 3-4 defense (Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Houston, for instance). Better against outside runs and in middle coverage pass coverage. | Weaker pass rush unless you blitz linebackers or defensive backs. Can be vulnerable against multiple receiver sets, especially four or more. |
| 46 Normal | Four defensive linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs but shifts one safety up to the linebacker position leaving one safety deep. | Speed, OLB Swap | Similar to the 4-3 but one safety plays closer to the line of scrimmage for increased run stopping. Strong blitz defense. | Beware of deep passes, especially if the closer safety is forced into man coverage against a faster receiver. |
| 46 Bear | Six defensive linemen (some are linebackers on the line), one linebacker, three defensive backs with one safety playing in a linebacker spot leaving one deep safety. | 46 Swap, LB/DE Swap, LB Coverage | Combines the 46 Normal and 4-3 Over defenses. Increased pressure along the line for stronger run defense. | Stronger run defense often means weaker pass defense. The inside run is also more vulnerable with only two players in a linebacker position and one safety deep. |
| Nickel Normal | Four defensive linemen, two linebackers, five defensive backs. | Strong Nickel, Strong Shift, CB Swap, Safety Swap, LOLB Right, LOLB Left, LB Swap | An additional defensive back helps protect against the pass. Be sure the "nickel back" is lined up against the slot receiver. Optimum against 3 WR sets. | More susceptible to running plays. Also beware of the offense moving their best receiver around. Your "nickel back" isn't as skilled as your best corner and might be unable to cover the opposing team's best WR one-on-one. |
| Nickel Strong | Same as nickel but shifts the safety toward the strong side. | Strong Nickel, Strong Shift, CB Swap, Safety Swap, MLB Right, MLB Left | Increased safety help on the strong side. Helps provide additional coverage on a stacked formation (where more receivers and/or tight ends are on one side). | Similar to the standard nickel. Also the safety shifted over could leave the other side open, especially if there are backs on pass patterns. |
| Nickel 3-3-5 | Three defensive linemen, three linebackers, and five defensive backs. | 4th CB, OLB Flip | Five defensive backs cover the pass in standard nickel formation and the three linebackers help protect against the run and medium pass. | Not much pass rush from the three man line without additional blitzing. |
| Dime Normal | Four defensive linemen, one linebacker, six defensive backs. | ROLB, LOLB, CB Swap, LB Pass Rush | The addition of six defensive backs is strongest against the pass, particularly four or five receiver sets. Call in certain passing situations. | Being a heavily pass-oriented defense, it's weaker against an unexpected run. Also beware of quarterback scrambles, especially if you're in man-to-man. |
| Dime Flat | Same as dime but closes safeties in and backs off corners. It's a tighter coverage. | ROLB, LOLB, CB Swap | Similar personnel to dime so it's still strong against the pass but it's tighter so not as weak against the run. | Can be vulnerable to deep pass routes. |
| Quarters Normal | Three defensive linemen, one linebacker, seven defensive backs. | Linebackers, LB Pass Rush, LOLB, ROLB | Seven defensive backs to flood the defensive zone with pass protectors. | Use it certain pass situations since it's easy to run against. |
| Quarters 3 Deep | Same as quarters but shifts a defensive back into a deep safety position for three deep safeties. | ROLB Swap, CB Swap, Safety Swap, Coverage Swap, Slot Swap, LB Pass Rush, LOLB Swap | Shifts three safeties deep. Useful on very long yardage situations. | Don't call when the offense might run! |
