Difference between 4-3 and 3-4

What are the main differences in the both defenses and what should I look for in each?

In your base defensive formation, the 4-3 has two DEs on the outside of the line, two DTs on the interior, and three linebackers, each of whom is expected to provide run and pass support.  In a 3-4, there is one DT coupled with two DEs, and with two outside linebackers who'll usually play a bigger role in pass rushing than the OLBs in the 4-3 set up.

In general, in the 4-3 you want DEs who can rush the passer, while in the 3-4 you'll want them to be bulkier to assist the single DT in stopping the run.  In the 4-3, your OLBs will be more run/pass committed (rather than pass rushers), as opposed to your 3-4 OLBs, who'll be pass rushers.

We don't have OLBs in the game yet with significant pass coverage skills, but when players like Ted Hendricks or Dave Robinson are introduced, you'll use them in coverage responsibilities in ways you'd never use, say, a Clay Matthews or a Rashan Gary (sorry, a Packers guy).

4-3 = 4 down linemen and 3 linebackers

3-4 = 3 down linemen and 4 linebackers

jsmiller2003 said:

In your base defensive formation, the 4-3 has two DEs on the outside of the line, two DTs on the interior, and three linebackers, each of whom is expected to provide run and pass support.  In a 3-4, there is one DT coupled with two DEs, and with two outside linebackers who'll usually play a bigger role in pass rushing than the OLBs in the 4-3 set up.

In general, in the 4-3 you want DEs who can rush the passer, while in the 3-4 you'll want them to be bulkier to assist the single DT in stopping the run.  In the 4-3, your OLBs will be more run/pass committed (rather than pass rushers), as opposed to your 3-4 OLBs, who'll be pass rushers.

We don't have OLBs in the game yet with significant pass coverage skills, but when players like Ted Hendricks or Dave Robinson are introduced, you'll use them in coverage responsibilities in ways you'd never use, say, a Clay Matthews or a Rashan Gary (sorry, a Packers guy).

Great explanation

not sure if you play online a lot, but if you do you’ll most commonly see people run nickel and dime on defense. I’d say you should build your team to run those formations as opposed to 3-4 or 4-3.

In Nickel and Dime you have the same D-line set-up as 4-3 (Two DT’s and two pass rushing DE’s) but only 2 linebackers (if Nickel) and 1 linebacker (if Dime).

It’s often considered better in Madden (especially online play) since you only have 1 or 2 linebackers on the field and you should be user controlling one of them. That means basically all of your remaining CPU controlled players will be safeties or CBs, who are far better in pass coverage than linebackers. And because Madden is Madden, most of the time they’ll defend the run just as well as a standard 4-3 or 3-4 can