How do you play defense

Bauer93 said:

I can’t get any stops nothing works except blitzing sometimes I’ve tried every coverage and all of my opponents for a week straight have only been using trips te and gun x nasty.

Defense is ridiculously difficult this year.  Zones never react or respond in time unless/until they have a full compliment of relevant Zone KOs (not even for the "knock-out" component, these KOs are important for the improved reaction times, allowing our defenders to be in position to make a play on the ball).  Otherwise, they typically just stand there and watch the defender blow right by them.

What playbook are you in?  LOTS of people love the Vikings defense, but it doesn't really matter.  First, take a look at your ability setup.  I'm using three DoN across my D-line and invest the rest into a couple Zone KOs (Mid Zone on both Safeties, but many folks prefer DOZKO).  The Double or Nothings will help to ensure your three man pressures will reliably get sheds.  Someone is gonna be left on an island, 1v1.  Don't be shy about dropping 9 into coverage if you have to.

Once you're ready to get a bit more advanced, you can use a specific play to get a run/pass type tell.  But let's save that for later, start with the basics.  Shaded down Cover 4 Drop, will cancel most of the matching principles.  I tend to start with 10 yard Hard Flats, then adjust according to what my opponent is doing.  If it's 3rd and 15, maybe you want to set those flats a bit deeper.  If you're getting burned on tons of short Zigs/Drags/Crossers, etc. maybe you want to also adjust your Hook zones to 5 yards, to ensure they'll defend those popular routes.  No single defense is going to take away every route combination, it's our job to recognize tendencies and try to take those away.  Focus on removing the primary route, whatever it takes.  Don't be shy about pass committing, unless you're playing against someone who is extremely committed to the run, it's beneficial to pass commit on 80+% of plays... but that is just my personal preference.  You'll get absolutely GASHED in the run game if your opponent manages to hand the ball off and get to the outside.

Keep it simple.  I play a "bend but don't break" style defense and try to keep everything underneath me.  You're going to give up points, just try to force your opponent to work for every yard.  Eventually they'll make a mistake and you can capitalize.  Especially if you focus on taking away that primary read, most Madden players will struggle to get through their progressions.  You'd be amazed how successful one can be just minimizing big plays.  I play a ton of Squads, so there's other considerations that aren't relevant here.

So many kids have basically just given up on defense this year, so they basically just try to overwhelm their opponent, sending pressure every single snap, such as Mid Blitz 0 from Nickel Double Mug type formations.  That'll dominant inferior opponents, but anyone halfway competent will know how to defeat the Man, even if it's simple RPOs or runs up the gut.  Hope something in this rambling reply is useful for your purposes.  Good luck, yer definitely not alone.  Defense is HARD.

Four-man down linemen, with Texas Stunts will dominant Base blocking.  If they're on Empty, you can use a slightly different stunt to generate pressure (Left Exit 2 Man is my preference, especially from Dime/Dollar sets with three d-line).