Madden 23 is a competitive game that requires a keen eye for tactics. The offensive playbook that you stick to is essential to your success on the gridiron.
With the advancement of AI defensive awareness, it’s quite difficult to find easy ways to score touchdowns. So today, we’re going to walk you through the best playbooks to use and the different types of offensive schemes that go along with them.
10. Chicago Bears: West Coast Spread Scheme
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While the Chicago Bears had a historically poor passing attack last season, their offensive playbook is a very solid option in Madden 23.
A West Coast Spread scheme is designed to confuse the defenders and force mistakes on the defensive front. It places an emphasis on short passes and crossing patterns to spread the defense thin.
After successfully running the ball, the linebackers will start stacking the box, which opens up play-action opportunities. The Bears' playbook is best utilized with an Improviser or Scrambling Quarterback, who likes to extend plays with his legs.
Thanks to Justin Fields’ rushing capabilities, there are several RPO plays and opportunities to utilize your scrambling QB. The Bears’ playbook is also full of plays out of the Pistol formation.
The Pistol is another fantastic tactic that gives the Quarterback a bit more time to drop back to pass. The best plays in their playbook are PA Cross Double Y Offset in the pistol formation and Middle Hi Lo Empty Base Flex in the Shotgun formation.
9. Dallas Cowboys: Vertical Zone Run Scheme
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The Dallas Cowboys playbook includes a creative, yet run-heavy offensive approach. The Vertical Zone Run relies on agile offensive linemen to open up huge holes for the running backs.
The goal is to rely on the ground and pound, to set up big outside runs and deep shot opportunities. If run successfully, the run-heavy scheme forces the defense into assignment conflicts when calling play-action passes.
Dominating the run game might not be the most enthralling option, but it certainly sets up big plays over the top. Use this playbook with a Strong Arm QB and Elusive RBs.
The type of receiving core that you employ is not as essential, but Deep Threat WRs are recommended. The best play in the Cowboy’s playbook is one of the most OP designs on the offensive end of the ball.
Drive Sluggo in the Shotgun formation, with an Empty Cowboy set is an easy pass play that can defeat both man and zone coverages. The play sends two receivers on fly routes, accompanied by two crossing routes and a check-down option.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Air Raid Scheme
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Surprisingly, there isn’t a single team in Madden 23 that uses the Air Raid playbook. But don’t let that fool you. Air Raid is a variant of the Spread attack, which essentially hands the QB the reins of the offense.
This pass-heavy approach traditionally works best with a stellar starting QB and sure-handed wide receivers. The QB has the ability to control the play at the line of scrimmage and call audibles when spotting open rushing lanes.
Use the Buccaneers Playbook with the Air Raid scheme to dominate out of the Shotgun formation. Having a Receiving RB makes a massive difference, as the backs are frequently used as pass-catchers.
PA Z Under and Smash Diggs are two phenomenal plays that are run out of the Shotgun Spread formation. They both look to exploit zone defenses and launch passes deep into your opponent’s territory.
7. Baltimore Ravens: West Coast Power Run Scheme
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The Ravens’ playbook is chock-full of glitched passing plays that are aimed at taking deep shots down the middle of the field. The West Coast Power Run scheme attempts to stretch out the defense with horizontal routes and short passing plays.
But what makes the Ravens’ playbook so special, is the power of the run game. After a series of short passing plays, the linebackers tend to drop back and sit higher in their zones. This leaves gaps and weaknesses for the RB to exploit through a range of zone runs.
There are a number of designed QB run plays and option plays to pick from, that can take advantage of linebackers who drop back to defend the pass. Use this playbook with a Power RB, Improviser QB, and Playmaker WRs.
Inside Zone Split is a deadly running play that can lead to massive yardage when used properly. Redzone Scissors is another play that’s all about the running back. There are several crossing routes and deep options, but the RB tends to find open space thanks to a creative medium-range out route. Arguably the best play on the call sheet is Pistol Strong I Wing PA Scissors, which offers a number of medium and deep routes to help get the ball downfield.
6. Cincinnati Bengals: Spread Scheme
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The Spread attack is another offensive scheme that is neglected by all 32 teams in Madden 23. But it is one of the most exciting approaches in the entire game, which poses a serious threat to launch the ball downfield.
With the Bengals’ playbook, it’s easier than ever to find open receivers and score touchdowns in bunches. By utilizing a range of Shotgun formations with extra wide receivers, the defense is forced to send five defensive backs in coverage.
With so much emphasis on stopping the run, gaps naturally form in the run game. Use this playbook with a Scrambler or Improviser QB to create easy chances to scramble for first downs. With the added threat of running with the QB, the defense is pressured to commit to stopping the run, which in turn opens up more passing lanes.
Another essential tool required to pull off the Spread offense is a Vertical Threat tight end, who will regularly line up in the slot and dominate the gaps between the two high safeties.
The RPO Read Double Screen out of the Shotgun Y-Flex Offset formation is one of the easiest plays to run in Madden 23. If there are less than six defenders in the box, hand the ball off to the RB for a big gain. Should the edge rusher crash toward the RB, take off with your QB for an easy first down. But if your slot receiver is left unguarded before the snap, toss him the rock and try to break one to the house.
5. San Francisco 49ers: Run N Gun Scheme
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Thanks to a wide range of broken passing plays, the Run N Gun scheme is practically unstoppable. While the 49ers are a run-heavy team in the NFL, their playbook matches perfectly with this high-flying offensive approach.
With several deep shot plays and exciting play-action passes, San Francisco’s attack is designed for an explosive and creative brand of football. Run N Gun takes advantage of having a talented group of receivers, who typically have high Release and Speed ratings.
Use this playbook with a Field General or Strong Arm QB, who can fling the ball downfield with tremendous accuracy. It also helps to have Pass Protector offensive linemen who can buy your QB some extra time to extend plays and lead their receivers where there’s open space.
The Gun Trips TE formation has some of the most OP play calls in Madden 23. PA Crosses and HB Angle give you a number of deep threats, with an extremely safe medium-range check-down option. After racking up the passing yards, the defense will practically ignore the run.
This is where the sensational HB Counter run comes into play. Mix in this counter run to take defenses by surprise and burst outside for a huge chunk play.
4. Detroit Lions: Multiple Power Run Scheme
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The Detroit Lions have long been the laughingstock of the NFL, but their playbook in Madden 23 is among the cream of the crop. Don’t let the scheme name fool you, as their attack is riddled with Shotgun formations and massive play-action shot plays.
It’s best to use a Field General QB with pinpoint accuracy, who can fit the ball into tight windows. While you shouldn’t abandon the run entirely, the Lions’ scheme relies on passing plays to convert on third-down attempts.
Traditionally, under the Multiple Power Run scheme, the offense runs the ball on first and second down. But if those rushing plays fail to convert a first down, the play action takes over in a huge way.
PA Counter Go, PA Shot, and PA Crosses give the QB some easier throws to make when given time in the pocket. The Y Trips WK set in the Shotgun formation is also home to a number of passes that will decimate zone coverage.
Jet 6 Drive and Read Dig are two exceptional options, where receivers run some creative routes to find pockets of space in the zone. Don’t forget to mix in some hot routes and you’ll find scoring touchdowns to be a walk in the park.
3. New Orleans Saints: Multiple Power Run Scheme
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The Saints have one of the most exciting and easy-to-use playbooks in Madden 23. Unfortunately, the developers removed the overpowered Taysom Hill-designed run plays that did so much damage in the previous Madden game. But with that being said, their playbook is broken nonetheless.
The Multiple Power Run scheme is one of the simplest setups in the entire game. Its relatively straightforward game plan aims to pick apart secondaries that try to stuff the run.
Thanks to a number of OP play-action passes, the Saints’ playbook is a top-3 option that is ultimately a blast to operate. The one caveat of their playbook is the necessity for lighting fast wide receivers. It’s recommended to deploy WRs with a Speed rating of 94 or higher, to properly take advantage of their creative play calls.
Use this playbook with a Strong Arm QB, Elusive or Receiving RBs, and Slot or Playmaker Wrs.
Once you’re able to get the run game going, there are a number of Shotgun passes that consistently beat both man and zone coverages.
Mesh Spot and Saints Slant Flood are run in the Empty Y-Saint set and are guaranteed to lead to big plays and countless red zone opportunities. Motion your RB towards the inside and send him on a streak. This attempts to distract the safety and open up space for the outside receivers.
2. New England Patriots: Multiple Power Run Scheme
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The Patriots’ playbook is home to a number of dominant formations that provide a foolproof way to defeat your opponents. You’ll tend to find more than one receiver open at any given time, regardless of the type of coverage you face.
New England’s scheme pulls linemen and lead blockers in the run game, opening up holes in the short-yardage run game. After committing early and often to the run, the quarterback is called upon to convert in short-yardage situations.
Use this playbook with a Field General QB and Pass Protector offensive tackles. The most enticing element of this scheme is the fact that multiple skill positions are heavily involved. The Patriots’ playbook utilizes several pass-catching tight ends and slot receivers to create open looks toward the sideline.
The Y-Off Trips Pats and Tight Slots formations are extremely efficient packages that are incredibly easy to use. But the real winner of the Patriots’ playbook is the Trips TE set in the Shotgun formation. PA Slot Corner, Pats Sail, and HB Angle make for some of the most intuitive play calls in Madden 23.
When run successfully, there are usually three or four receiving options that find themselves open. Mix in Bench Switch and Mesh Spot and it will be impossible to stop your offense.
1. Kansas City Chiefs: West Coast Spread
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It’s no surprise that the best offense in the NFL has the most overpowered playbook in Madden 23. But what really makes the Chiefs’ West Coast Spread so elite?
Well, the Chiefs passing attack is designed to keep the defense guessing by placing an emphasis on zone-busting horizontal throws. Sprinkle in some deep shot plays and a quarterback who can extend plays, and the rest is history.
Use this playbook with an Improviser QB who looks to scramble and throw on the run, creating confusion in the secondary. There’s an underlying dedication to deep throws down the middle of the field, which will almost certainly lead to some of the best moments in Madden 23.
The playbook works best with Pass Protector offensive linemen, Receiving running backs, and Possession tight ends. In this pass-heavy attack, there’s little reason to hand the ball off. If the deep bomb isn’t open, scramble outside of the pocket for a first down or check it down to your sure-handed RB.
Bench Switch is arguably the most straightforward passing play in the game, which offers four receivers running out routes at different levels down the field. Another OP play comes out of the Shotgun Bunch TE, which sends three deep crossing routes and gives your QB the option of scrambling for an easy first down.
Let’s not forget the aforementioned RPO Read Bubble Screen, or the RPO Alert Bubble, which make for two of the most creative plays on the offensive end of the ball. So what are you waiting for? Load up Madden 23 and try out the absolute best offensive playbook in the game.
