[Top 10] Madden 23 Best Offensive Playbooks

Updated:

13 Oct 2023

While the playbook you equip may not seem like a big deal, your playstyle will take a serious hit if you’re not calling the right plays. Whether you’re a pass-friendly or run-heavy type of player, these are the absolute best offensive playbooks in Madden 23.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers

Go to 0:20

The Steelers have one of the most unique playbooks in the entire game, and for good reason. It’s one of few offensive playbooks that’s aimed toward beating man coverage and exploiting weak secondaries.

Since most Madden players employ zone coverage on defense, Pittsburgh's playbook has slipped through the cracks. But don’t let its lack of popularity fool you. The Steelers Gun Bunch formation is simply unstoppable against man coverage.

Deep Corner, Steelers Cross, and Corner Strike are three deep passing plays that are practically guaranteed to lead to one-play touchdowns. While this playbook isn’t the best against zone defenses, there are a number of different techniques that can be used to defeat both Cover 3 and Cover 4.

9. Arizona Cardinals

Go to 2:10

Arizona’s air-raid approach is a perfect blend of creative rushing plays designed to spread the defense thin. With a fast quarterback who can scramble for first downs, this playbook is extremely difficult to stop.

The Gun Open Flex formation is loaded with RPO schemes that give you a plethora of options on offense. RPO Read Y Flat and RPO Read WR Screen are two of many read-option play calls that provide three different ways to beat your opponent.

When facing a stacked box with run-stuffing linemen, you can simply keep the ball and hit the edge with your QB. If your wide receiver is left unguarded before the snap, you can quickly throw the ball to your WR with a ton of open space. This methodical approach is perfect for Improviser QBs and Elusive running backs.

8. Las Vegas Raiders

Go to 0:27

The Raiders’ playbook provides consistency and balance on the offensive side of the ball. Methodically marching down the field is the name of the game under Josh McDaniels’ offense. This playbook depends on play action and quick passes to counter-dominant pass rushes.

With several designed runs out of the Shotgun formation, it’s never been easier to throw off your opponent. Y Curl and Bunch Trail are two overpowered play designs out of the Bunch formation that pick up first downs against multiple looks on defense.

The Y Off Trips and Trips TE packages utilize three tight ends to confuse defenses and spread the ball to multiple different skill positions.

7. Green Bay Packers

Go to 3:01

While Aaron Rodgers is still a member of the Packers in Madden 23, Green Bay’s playbook is home to some of the most explosive run plays in the entire game. This playbook is especially effective in the red zone and near the goal line.

With runs like HB Zone Wk and Zone Split Wk, it’s relatively easy to pick up consistent yardage on the ground. Since both of these overpowered rushing attempts attack the weak side of the defensive line, you’ll need to be pretty good at making the right reads with your running back.

When dropping back to pass, look no further than the Tight Offset TE formation. Even though Green Bay’s playbook takes a run-heavy approach, there are a number of deep passes and play-action calls to exploit an overextended defense.

6. New England Patriots

Go to 1:15

The Patriots and Raiders have eerily similar playbooks, but New England’s is unquestionably the most well-balanced option in Madden 23. It depends on quick passes and a run-heavy approach to spread the ball and bait defenders.

The best way to utilize New England’s playbook is by running the ball down your opponent’s throat in order to set up the play-action. After establishing the run, the linebackers tend to creep forward and stack the box. That’s when you turn to a few of the most dominant passing plays in the game.

PA Counter Go and Pats Y Post provide you with several deep crossing routes that almost always defeat zone coverages. Once the linebackers drop back to stop the pass, you can use Inside Zone or 45 Quick Base to continue running the ball with great success.

5. New Orleans Saints

Go to 0:48

The Saints’ playbook offers a dynamic pass-heavy approach that is guaranteed to lead to chunk plays and long touchdown passes. You may have noticed that the majority of the playbooks on this list include the Gun Bunch formation.

There’s a good reason why this offensive strategy is the most overpowered setup in the entire game. For starters, it stacks multiple receivers close together and creates deep play threats while also offering quick check-down options.

New Orleans’ playbook offers the Gun Bunch, as well as the Gun Empty Y Saint formation. Saints Drags and Middle Hi-Lo are two deep passing plays that can lead to one-play touchdowns in the blink of an eye. With these lethal play calls, defeating zone coverage is a walk in the park.

4. San Francisco 49ers

Go to 1:33

There’s no debate that the 49ers have one of the most overpowered playbooks in Madden 23. By leaning on deep crosses and unstoppable out-breaking routes, this offense is destined to bring you a ton of success on the gridiron.

San Francisco’s offensive playbook hosts multiple formations that can beat both zone and man coverages. The Gun Deebo Package is perhaps the most unique formation in the entire game. By lining up your best receiver in the backfield, this package is destined to create mismatches all over the field.

Against man coverage, a linebacker or safety will pick up your WR, which will give you a speed or height advantage coming out of the backfield. Branch Return is just one of many glitched plays in the Gun Bunch formation. The Gun Bunch creates open looks across the middle of the field against both Cover 2 and Cover 3 looks.

3. Detroit Lions

Go to 0:14

Detroit has a versatile and underrated playbook with plays that can absolutely torch zone defenses. The Lions have several important formations to exploit Cover 3 and Cover 4, including the Gun Bunch and Bunch TE packages.

This playbook is as balanced as they come, with play calls specifically designed to force mistakes in coverage. The Lions also have a number of incredible pre-snap audibles, that allow users to change the play at the line of scrimmage.

Due to its balanced approach, Detroit’s offensive scheme can beat you on the ground or through the air. The Doubles HB Wk formation is home to several outside zone runs that counter overcommitting linebackers. RPO Alert Bubble and PA Y Cross are two exceptional plays that easily defeat zone defenses and can lead to massive chunk plays.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

Go to 1:15

With legendary quarterback Patrick Mahomes under center, Kansas City’s playbook is the overall best passing attack in Madden 23. No matter who you decide to line up at QB, this playbook is designed to obliterate secondaries with maximum efficiency.

Most of their passing plays aim to take deep shots downfield, by relying on a dominant group of speedy pass-catchers. While the Chiefs tend to abandon the run, there are still a few great running plays to call such as the Inside Zone Split and HB Mid Draw. But the real bread and butter of this offense comes out of the Spread Dbl Flex and Bunch Y Flex formations.

PA Read, Slot Outs, and RPO Read Flat Wheel offer three dynamic pass plays that tend to have multiple receivers completely unguarded. The Chiefs might not have the absolute best playbook in the game, but it’s certainly the most exciting to use.

1. Baltimore Ravens

Go to 1:12

Coming in as the best overall playbook in Madden 23 is none other than the run-heavy Baltimore Ravens offense. While the Chiefs have the best passing playbook, the Ravens deploy the most dominant rushing attack in the game.

With countless designed quarterback runs and RPO plays, the Ravens’ playbook always seems to have a trick up its sleeve. Zone runs like HB Counter and Y Lead Read Option are foolproof against the blitz and man coverage. The Ravens’ playbook is known for its rush-heavy scheme, but it’s no stranger to overpowered passing plays.

Redzone Scissors and Raven Double Post are two deep-threat passes that take advantage of linebackers who creep forward to help stop the run. No matter how you run your offense, this approach is the most simple, user-friendly playbook in Madden 23.