Defense help

[jared52]

I have played multiple games on AA and I have lost every single one. I am playing with an 85OVR team and I have lost to teams in the mid to low 70s as they rack up 60+ points (8 min quarters, no clock speed up). Their QBs are over 70% completions (NMSU was 95%).

What could I possibly be doing wrong that the CPU can throw for 95% completion with NMSU?

[RyanLeaf16]

Quote: Originally Posted by jared52

I have played multiple games on AA and I have lost every single one. I am playing with an 85OVR team and I have lost to teams in the mid to low 70s as they rack up 60+ points (8 min quarters, no clock speed up). Their QBs are over 70% completions (NMSU was 95%). What could I possibly be doing wrong that the CPU can throw for 95% completion with NMSU?

It would be hard to know without knowing who you're playing as. What the conditions are that you're letting up so many completions. Are you calling the right coverages in the right situations or are you just calling random coverages? Are you utilizing the coverage shells in the game? Lots of variables. Give as much info as you can.

It could be that you aren't calling the right kind of defense. You aren't playing to your personnel's strengths. You're just not as good as you thought...could be a number of reasons.

[Funkycorm]

Also, what kind of pressure are you getting on their quarterback? Even low overall quarterbacks are going to be accurate if they get all day to throw.

[jared52]

Quote: Originally Posted by RyanLeaf16

It would be hard to know without knowing who you're playing as. What the conditions are that you're letting up so many completions. Are you calling the right coverages in the right situations or are you just calling random coverages? Are you utilizing the coverage shells in the game? Lots of variables. Give as much info as you can. It could be that you aren't calling the right kind of defense. You aren't playing to your personnel's strengths. You're just not as good as you thought...could be a number of reasons.

Playing with Auburn, but like I said I'm usually a bit better OVR (don't remember the OFF vs DEF ratings). I choose from the coach suggestions based on down and distance. I play cover 4s and 6s with some 2s at times. I blitz about half the time on third down and about 1/4 the time on second down.

Quote: Originally Posted by Funkycorm

Also, what kind of pressure are you getting on their quarterback? Even low overall quarterbacks are going to be accurate if they get all day to throw.

I get there some? It's a lot of quick throws that I get beat on, the QB doesn't have all day to throw for sure. I am going to try to pay more attention to personal on the playcall screen and try to match up a little better. I just know my guys aren't good in man at all, even vs. weak teams.

[tg9er]

I noticed when I moved down to controlling an edge rusher the rest of my teammates started participating. When I was controlling a DB or LB I was getting gashed in the run game and rarely seeing an incompletion. Once I “put my hand in the dirt” my DBs starting making some plays in coverage and run support became much, much better.

[jared52]

I have stopped using any of the suggestions and started being more intentional about matching personnel and that has helped a bit. Probably a no brainer for anyone playing AA or Heisman, but I thought I would just get by on the base defenses and I was very wrong about that.

[RyanLeaf16]

Quote: Originally Posted by jared52

Playing with Auburn, but like I said I'm usually a bit better OVR (don't remember the OFF vs DEF ratings). I choose from the coach suggestions based on down and distance. I play cover 4s and 6s with some 2s at times. I blitz about half the time on third down and about 1/4 the time on second down. I get there some? It's a lot of quick throws that I get beat on, the QB doesn't have all day to throw for sure. I am going to try to pay more attention to personal on the playcall screen and try to match up a little better. I just know my guys aren't good in man at all, even vs. weak teams.

Well if you're using a lot of cover 4 and cover 6 that is probably why they are peppering you with lots of completions. You're playing one of the safest deep coverages in football in the C4. C6 would also be used to counter some deep passes. One side of your field is gonna be C4 with the CB & S getting deep like a C4 and the C2 on the other side of the field with the CB playing flat with the Safety over top leaving an opening between the two if the CB doesn't drop enough. I'd say you're playing coverages not to get beat deep a lot - which is fine to play if you think it's a situation where they may go deep. but if you play it most of the time where the situation may not even call for it, they're gonna dot you up underneath and the ACE in the game is gonna pick up on that coverage.

I would try to play more C1 on the earlier downs - if you have the S for it, but if you have the personnel then it takes away the deep ball, the short throws underneath, helps against the run too. If you have personnel for Man, I would suggest using that at times as well. But don't just go mostly C4, C2 & C6 cause the AI is gonna dot you up all day.

[cdh72469]

I've never been even really good at defense but it does seem a bit more difficult or skewed to the offenses. Plus being a old guy, my stick skills and hand-eye isn't what it used to be!

I'm just trying to find my sweet spot for 'challenging fun" before starting my Auburn dynasty.

Love it so far though!