Welcome back to Ask Huddle! Each week, we take your Madden questions and break them down so you can understand the game on a deeper level. Got something you want answered in a future episode? Drop it in the comments. Our goal is simple: help you win more games.
You can watch the full video on YouTube from Huddle by hitting play above or clicking here.
#1 - What is Mable Coverage?
Answer:
Mable coverage in Madden works a bit differently than what people refer to as “Mable” coverage in real football, so we’ll focus on the Madden terminology here.
In Madden, Mable coverage is a defensive concept where you have both a shallow flat and a deep flat defender to the same side of the field, with an additional deep zone player over the top. This setup is designed to defend popular route combinations that attack the sideline, like Flood or similar concepts.
Just be cautious about using it too frequently. Because you’re committing extra resources to one sideline, it can leave you vulnerable over the middle if your opponent starts attacking that area instead.
#2 - What's the difference between Mid Read and Deep Middle Third?
Answer:
A Mid Read zone is typically found in Tampa 2–style coverages, and it’s designed to defend the intermediate to deep middle areas of the field. It will match certain routes based on route combinations, so make sure your zone drops are set to default if you want those match rules to function correctly.
A Deep Middle Third, on the other hand, is a true deep zone that focuses purely on protecting the deep middle of the field and is not a form of match coverage.
At times, these zones can look similar depending on the offensive route combinations, but they behave differently when there’s no vertical threat down the middle. In that situation, a Deep Middle Third defender will continue gaining depth even if no receiver enters his zone, whereas a Mid Read defender will typically stop around 20 yards if no route threatens his area.
Mid Reads tend to gain depth more quickly, while Deep Middle Thirds, especially when assigned to linebackers, shuffle and drop more gradually.
#3 - Does changing a single player's assignment affect match rules?
Answer:
The short answer is yes, changing an individual player’s assignment can affect the rest of your team’s match coverage rules, but it depends on the specific adjustment you make.
In older versions of Madden, there were situations where adjusting a single player wouldn’t change the rest of the defense’s logic, which could leave you vulnerable to easy one-play touchdowns. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case in the current game.
Make sure to watch the video to see an in-game example of how these adjustments can impact your overall coverage.
#4 - What plays beat formations like Double Mug?
Answer:
It’s tough to give a one-size-fits-all answer here, because it really depends on the coverage your opponent is calling out of formations like Double Mug. However, one consistent way to attack these looks is by taking advantage of their defensive alignment using RPOs.
My favorite option is the RPO Read Flat style concept, which targets the flat on the opposite side of the nickel cornerback. These plays create a numbers advantage to the edge, giving you a great chance to pick up big yards, or even score a one-play touchdown.
We break down two of these RPO concepts in the video and show exactly what to look for when attacking Double Mug defenses.
Thanks for tuning in again this week! If you have a question you'd like us to answer in a future episode, make sure to drop it in the comments section below.
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