Madden NFL Football 2005

Chapter 5 - Online Strategies

Madden 2005 is the first Madden available on the Xbox Live multiplayer service (PlayStation 2 and PC owners enjoyed last year's Madden in online competition). Lining up against a human opponent is much different than playing against the computer. A human opponent is much more unpredictable. You may find yourself up against endless hurry up offense, against a consistent quarterback scrambler, or the player who loves to throw the ball deep. This section offers some tips on conquering the competition online.

• Your online strategy begins with team selection. Unless you're playing a tournament (in which you select your team beforehand and must use it throughout the tournament), you can select your team as your opponent also selects a team. You can try and play match ups (a good pass offense versus a good pass defense, for instance). Once you've selected your team, you can deselect your team at any time. Just do so before your opponent selects. Beware of opponent's "changing their mind" after you've selected. You might get baited and think you're playing against the Cardinals when your opponent decides to change to the Patriots.
• One of your first strategic decisions begins on kickoff. If you win the toss, do you elect to receive the ball now or kickoff the ball now and receive it after halftime? A lot of online players elect to kick if they win the toss. The thought is if you can get in a score just before halftime then receive the ball again after halftime with another chance to score. Your decision might also be based on team selection: a stubborn defensive unit would be a good squad to get out on the field first and "set the tone" as they say.
• If you're new to online play, it's wise to use the "Optimatch" feature so you can match up against similar competition. Adjust the options so you play against a "Similar Ranking" or even "Within 1000" or "Within 2000" to ensure you aren't matched up against some players that are currently atop the Madden leaderboard.
• If you chose to challenge others in the lobby, check out their statistics as a way of "scouting" their play. See if they like to employ quarterback scrambles, check out their favorite offensive playbook, offensive formation, or defensive formation, and observe their blitz, no huddle, audible, hot route, and run/pass play percentages. Know what you're up against! If you like the match up, challenge!
• Become unpredictable in your play calling. Human opponents catch on quick if you always run out of I Form-Normal or pass out of Shotgun-4WR. It may work against computer opponents but good online Madden players learn and adapt quickly. Be prepared to run out of pass formations, even in long yardage situations, and pass out of run formations, even in short yardage situations. For instance, 2nd Down and short yardage is a great time to test your opponent's pass defense.
• Though some players might think it's cheese play, you may find the no huddle offense an effective tactic. If you've caught the defense in a bad formation against your offensive play selection, use the no huddle to return to the line quickly with the same play call. Once at the line of scrimmage, you could keep the same call, audible, or use hot routes to adjust your receiver pass patterns. Counter this on defense with defensive audible preparation. Be ready to shift to a different defense, perhaps a base "safe" defense or even an aggressive blitz if you were burned in a safer set.
• Michael Vick abused many, many online players last year with his extremely fast scrambling ability. Falcon players would call a 4 WR set, scramble out of the pocket, check for an opponent receiver, and if there's no open target, Vick would take off. With the defense likely either following the receivers or at least far off the line of scrimmage, Vick could easily gain five to seven yards and, with good agility skills, pick up even larger yardage. Madden 2005 features a collection of good "QB Contain" defenses. Check for them specifically in dime and quarter packages. Outside defensive backs protect outside the tackles. It can leave "up the gut" somewhat exposed so consider selecting a central defensive man to plug the hole.
• When on defense, wait until your opponent selects their play before selecting your defense. You can use the information to decide on a defensive formation and play. If the offense is using a four wide receiver set, you may want to use dime so you have the receivers covered. If the offense uses two tight ends and three running backs, you may want to crowd the line against an expected run. Remember that it's a guessing game, though--a mind game really--and that the offense could be running out of that four receiver set or passing out of that expected run set. Still, it's much better than randomly selecting defenses and allowing the offense to abuse your personnel with counter play selections.