Explore Madden NFL 27 Singleback formations like BIG, BIG TWIN WR, TWIN TE, and more, with detailed play breakdowns.
Singleback - BIG (2TE, 2WR, 1HB)
TE Cross - The left Wide Receiver (WR) streaks downfield. The right WR runs deep slants towards the middle. Both Tight Ends (TE) cross each other over the middle. Choose your target carefully, especially when scrambling, and lead your passes. The right WR is a favored option on this play.
TE Special - The left WR runs a crooked post route inside. The left TE performs a short curl route outwards. You can audible him to a slant left, making him a primary target. The right WR streaks, while the right TE screens to the right. Audibling him to a slant to the right provides four throwing options.
This set includes two play-action passes, several option passes, and HB smash, dive, counter, slant, and draw running plays.
Singleback - BIG TWIN WR (2WR left, 2TE, 1HB)
WR Option (Kennison Option) - The left WR streaks. The inside left WR runs either a short curl in or out, which is the "option" part of the play; you can audible him or avoid him as he runs his route over the middle. The left TE slants right, towards the middle. The right TE performs a stutter-step on a short slant in. You can audible him to a slant or a box cut to the right, making him the main target. The Halfback (HB) screens to the far right.
The remaining plays are short to medium-range pass plays. HB power, draw, counter, and dive complete this set.
Singleback - TWIN TE (2WR, 2TE right, 1HB)
TE Option (Gonzalez Option) - The left WR runs deep then executes a comeback route to the left sideline. The far right TE goes right, towards the sideline, then breaks deep. The right WR runs a deep slant inside. The inside right TE goes short. You can audible him for an additional target.
WR Drag - The left WR breaks deep then runs another comeback towards the sideline. The far right TE box cuts left towards the middle. The far right TE also runs a short slant right, towards the sideline; throwing to him is a safe bet. The right WR runs a short cross all the way to the left across the middle; you can avoid him or audible him to a streak if he is fast enough to get open.
This set includes a decent play-action pass, a weaker short pass, a WR screen, and a WR option play. HB sprint, draw, plunge, dive, and slant complete this set.
Singleback - TWIN TE WR (2WR, 2TE's right, 1HB)
Hitch Corners - The left WR runs a very short curl in. The inside left WR slants left to the sideline. The inside right TE slants right, towards the sideline. The outside right TE short curls to the right. Audibling the left WR and the outside TE to streak will open up more of the field.
PA FL Stretch - The left WR box cuts right. The inside right TE slants right toward the sideline, while the outside right TE sharply cuts short to the inside. You can audible the far right TE to a slant post over the middle. Be quick and watch for the blitz.
This set includes an HB screen pass, an average play-action pass, a couple of short option passes, and HB counter, draw, and dive plays.
Singleback - NORMAL SLOT (3WR, 1TE, 1HB)
FL Middle - The left WR runs a crooked post deep inside. The inside left WR crisscrosses the left WR towards the sideline, then breaks deep; hit him as soon as he gets by the first defender. The right WR box cuts left, over the middle. The TE blocks and runs straight downfield. Be careful throwing to the middle!
Slot Cross - The left WR runs a deep slant inside. The inside left WR crosses right, all the way across the field. The TE blocks then goes straight for the pass, while the right WR streaks. Scrambling right and leading a pass to the inside left WR crossing over the middle is recommended.
HB Option (Holmes Option) - Avoid the HB on this play. The left WR curls out to the sideline; you can audible him to a slant right. The inside left WR streaks, as does the TE. The right WR runs a medium box cut left to the middle. You have multiple options here.
This set includes two weak play-action passes, a screen play, more mediocre option passes, a decent WR drag play, and HB slash, counter, sweep, dive, and draw plays.
Singleback - SLOT STRONG (3WR, 1TE, 1HB)
PA Cross Up - The left WR runs a deep slant inside. The TE runs a medium slant across the left middle. The inside WR runs a deep slant right, towards the sideline. The far right WR curls in short. Audibling him to a slant left provides many options, but watch for the blitz as this is a play-action pass.
WR Post - All receivers run slant posts to the left. Scramble left and lead your passes on this play.
This set includes a couple more option passes, a screen play, a conservative double hook play, and HB counter, dive, and draw, and belly running plays.
Singleback - TRIPS TE (3WR left, 1TE, 1HB)
TE Corner - The TE slants right. The HB screens right. The left WR crosses short to the middle; you can audible him to streak. The middle left WR slants in right, while the right WR slants left. You should find someone open.
Deep Attack - The left WR runs deep then curls back to the sideline. The middle left WR streaks. The inside left WR slants in right; look for this receiver. The HB screens right, while the TE breaks straight ahead for a pass.
This set includes a cheesy play-action pass, a screen play, a couple more short pass plays, and HB draw, toss, counter, and dive plays.
Singleback - TRIPS BUNCH (1WR left, 1TE, 2WR bunched right 1HB)
PA Pin Deep - The left WR runs a comeback route towards the left sideline. The TE screens right; you can audible him to a slant right. The middle right WR box cuts left over the middle; be careful throwing to him due to congestion. The far right WR runs a semi-slant. Target the TE or the left WR on the comeback.
WR Option (Kennison Option) - The left and far right WRs run crooked posts deep right; you can throw to either. The TE box cuts over the middle, while the middle right WR runs a short route. You can audible him to streak, as your primary targets may take too long to complete their routes. Be prepared to get rid of the ball quickly.
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