Someone explain to me how you play Defense in this game

Because as a Champ / fringe Top 100 player, I cant consistently figure it out for the first time since playing MUT. 
Zone and Man both seem unplayable tha AI is as dumb and apathetic as I've ever seen, abilities dont work at all (what are people on about with Pick Artist, does nothing?!) and usering apparently either takes more skill now than I have or it doesn't work either. 

I'm ready for the "git gud" and "seems like a you problem" comments, bring them. To me - because thats the same thing going on in FIFA - it seems like its deliberately almost impossible to defend against anyone with half a brain because EA wants to cater to and easily reward casual players within the game modes with micro transcations.

Prayer is probably most effective. 

I have lost count of how many times I have bagged a route with my user (with lurk artist) or clicked onto a corner with pick artist and had a receiver agg catch the ball through the player’s body. 

Last night Jalen Hurts broke a hit stick and three other tackles on the way to a 60 yard TD run. 

It’s all animations and luck.

Pray

seriously…

I consider myself a pretty decent player, sometimes top 100 or minimum champ level

nothing on defense works… nothing

abilities dont even work, I’ve dropped multiple picks with lurk artist and pick artist or they just don’t animate…

Texas 4 man/pass rush is dead

I am truly lost on how to play defense this year

every game is 60+ points combined and loser is whoever didnt get the lucky break

Though I was just trash lol. Good to hear it aint just me struggling on  defense. Legit cant get my muser to animate for a pick. Doesnt matter if its Hendricks with lurk artist these dudes wont even jump with abilities. Absolutely frustrating

"Champ / fringe Top 100 player"...I'm clearly not at your level so my technique will likely be zero help...I pick the middle choice of coach choice and user the 5th click over player (usually a SLB or MLB).  When this doesn't work (and mostly it doesn't) I fire the defensive coordinator (defensive playbook) and hire a new one...thus far the 4-6 playbook / Defensive Coordinator has been doing fairly well.

My corners get burned in all madden settings. It don’t matter what corner I get off the auction block

PBateman said:

Because as a Champ / fringe Top 100 player, I cant consistently figure it out for the first time since playing MUT. 
Zone and Man both seem unplayable tha AI is as dumb and apathetic as I've ever seen, abilities dont work at all (what are people on about with Pick Artist, does nothing?!) and usering apparently either takes more skill now than I have or it doesn't work either. 

I'm ready for the "git gud" and "seems like a you problem" comments, bring them. To me - because thats the same thing going on in FIFA - it seems like its deliberately almost impossible to defend against anyone with half a brain because EA wants to cater to and easily reward casual players within the game modes with micro transcations.

Holy hell, it's not you -- I invest the bulk of my free time studying up on the defensive side of the ball and we're at the point where it basically requires a damn miracle to get just one stop.  I'm not playing much (or any) Ranked these days, dabbling with the various House Rules events from time to time, mostly just to complete Field Pass requirements, but defense is such a mess.

I'm trying Match coverage these days, either Cover 4 Quarters or Cover 9... are my latest endeavors.  I tend to Press my linebackers only (right on D-pad, R1) and hope for the best.  EA cannot figure out how to improve coverages, Man has always been shaky and inconsistent, at best, Zones rarely react, let alone get in position to make any plays on the ball.  Offensive abilities work 100% of the time, i never have to worry about Gunslinger triggering, but on defense, well, we're basically shit out of luck.  What a terrible way to improve gameplay, but adding even more randomness and inconsistency to a horrendous experience.  But we have Switch Stick!  The only "solution" is to play all eleven positions on defense and hope you're competent enough and don't misclick and take your DBs out of the play.  What a disaster.

I can only assume these changes were intended to make the game somewhat more friendly for the casual / n00bs.  Because who doesn't love rewarding QB play that involves throwing into triple coverage.  All three of my DBs will get mossed on a single play.  Don't even need Gift-Wrapped this year, receivers catch basically anything thrown in their general direction.  I haven't read any of the other comments, can only imagine -- you seem to have a solid understanding of the what and why.  Absolute disaster.

PBateman said:

Because as a Champ / fringe Top 100 player, I cant consistently figure it out for the first time since playing MUT. 
Zone and Man both seem unplayable tha AI is as dumb and apathetic as I've ever seen, abilities dont work at all (what are people on about with Pick Artist, does nothing?!) and usering apparently either takes more skill now than I have or it doesn't work either. 

I'm ready for the "git gud" and "seems like a you problem" comments, bring them. To me - because thats the same thing going on in FIFA - it seems like its deliberately almost impossible to defend against anyone with half a brain because EA wants to cater to and easily reward casual players within the game modes with micro transcations.

The truth is, if your opponent executes well...you are probably not going to stop them.

This goes for actual NFL football as well as Madden.

The worst offensive NFL team in terms of yards per play last year was Chicago at 4.5.

If they plan to go for it, thats 18 yards every 4 downs.

There are things you can to to make it tough on them (hybrid defenses, showing different looks etc.)...but a lot of times at the top levels, you have to win games by outmanaging them and playing smart.

Getting the last possesion of the half, converting 2 pointers and getting 8's instead of 7's, not making mistakes, and also also not allowing yourself to get emotional to the point you cant think straight...or where you make bad decisions due to overconfidence 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️

man blitz or cover 2 man are the best right now IMO

Man clears zone this year

I just ran man blitz and hope once or twice a game I'll get a pick.  I score a td on 95% of drives so one turnover and I usually win