What the hell EA!

EA Sports is up to their shenanigans again.  It was recently announced that EA Access subscribers will only be allowed six hours of access to the Madden Early Access prerelease.

In the past Madden lovers were able to download a full version of the game and play it as much as they would like until the game releases in stores.

I am not totally sure why EA has decided to limit the access to six hours this year, but to be honest it doesn’t surprise me. EA Sports is always doing something that shows a lack of appreciation to their loyal fan base, and this decision is no different.

The past years of Madden have been extremely flawed and EA has shown no compassion or care to fix many of these problems.  They don’t release patches for huge, glaring gameplay issues and when confronted about it they simply hide under a rock and have nothing to say.

The problem is that EA has a monopoly on the NFL gaming market.  The fact that the NFL and EA Sports are in bed with each other financially, it limits competition to 0.  If you want to play an NFL video game, you have to play Madden.  This lack of competition is the number 1 reason for such terrible products and lack of game support over the years.

Because of this I am not surprised by their decision or the terrible gameplay issues that have occurred repeatedly over the years.

Source: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ea-access-limits-xbox-ones-madden-15-early-access-/1100-6421790/

This is the definitive list of the best Madden 15 Offensive Playbooks! … Well not really definitive, but it is the best list you will find!

This list can actually change once the game is released and we get to experience how Madden 15 plays. This list may also change based on how you like to play the game and the stick audibles in each formation.

I am basing this list off of my past tournament experience (since 03) and experience with the recent, previous Madden games. This list doesn’t take play style, simness (is that a word?), or team into consideration.

This list is specialized for winning at the highest level. THAT’S IT!

I am going to assume you are using a mobile QB and want to win at all costs. I mean, that’s what it’s about right?

Without further adieu… here is Big J Gleez’s preseason list of the top 5 offensive playbooks in Madden 15.

Denver has a pretty sick selection of plays beginning with the vast selection in the pistol. Highlighted below is the Pistol Bunch Tight End.

This formation is extremely difficult to bump, has an array of ways to attack the defense, and has a decent run game. A few specifics to highlight are the ability to hit the corner on the open side (TE side), the wheel patterns, the deeper crossing patterns, and the screen. This formation has everything you need to keep a defense on it’s toes.

Overall Analysis

Someone can definitely keep a defense guessing with the runs from both the pistol and shotgun, but that is where the run game in this book basically ends. There are some okay runs in single back, but to really pound the ball you are going to be limited to goal line. I find this to be a huge flaw in this playbook. You need the ability to stuff the ball down your opponents face late in games, and this playbook lacks the ability to do just that. Not to mention the pistol and shotgun have no QB runs and no read options.

The pass game out of the Denver playbook is top notch. Hopefully you will be up by so many points, you wont need to worry about running the clock out at the end of games, but in my experience this rarely is the case verses good competition.

Highlights

The Pistol Weak Twins Flex is a monster. The run game out of this formation is second to none. Couple this with the Strong Close and you have one awesome capacity to run the ball and good options to attack with the pass.

Overall Analysis

The passes are better than average, but might lack the explosiveness needed to put up points fast. This offense is more of a balanced attack rather than a quick strike attack. If you get yourself in third and longs or have to come from behind, you may be in trouble.

Highlights

Again, we highlight the Pistol Bunch TE.

You may notice that the Saint’s Bunch TE has a few more options than the Denver Bunch TE, which can’t hurt right?

I also want to draw your attention to the Tight Offset TE

Just look at that…. it’s beautiful!

Overall Analysis

This book has a better Pistol Bunch TE, a great Shotgun and a very workable single back. The best part is that you can also run the ball by utilize a the Strong Close as well as the I form Twin WR set. The only weakness that I see in this book is the lack of QB runs.  Depending on how Madden 15 plays, this could shift down to the number one book. We will have to wait and see!

Highlights

The Tight Offset in this book is the same as the Saints and comes with a full compliment of running plays, which makes this formation even more deadly in the Raiders book.

Couple this with the Doubles On formation and you will be a beast to stop! The Doubles On set has all the runs you need, corner balls to both sides of the field, pre made deep outs, V routes, and screens to both the WR and RB. The only thing it doesn’t have is the ability to do is win the game for you. You gotta do that on your own!

Overall Analysis

Even with this monster combo of shotgun sets, this book still comes with one of the best I forms in the game, one of the best pistols on the game, and a very workable single back. For these reasons I list the Oakland book at number 2.

Highlights
This book is going to be a huge nightmare, and that’s why I place this in the number one spot. Check out the combination of Pistol Weak and Strong Close.

Pistol Weak

Strong Close

Yowza!

Overall Analysis

This book has it all. The runs out of the Pistol Weak and Strong Close will give any opponent fits. These two sets also have enough fire power in the passing game to move the ball down the field. This will force an opponent to worry about the pass and will restrict them from 100% keying on the run.

The shotgun is also complete and includes Split Panther, Trips TE and Ace with all the trimmings.

Oh yeah…. it also has the Tight Offset Te with the screen!

Did I mention the Single Back Tight Slots?

Thanks for checking out my preseason breakdown of the best Madden 15 offensive playbooks.

I urge you to check out my YouTube channel as I will be posting both game commentaries, tips and other videos for your viewing and educational pleasure.

Also… let me know what you think of this breakdown by commenting below! What books do you look forward to using? Let me know!