Noob Question - RB Depth Chart

[1986 Giants]

The first of many noob questions, I am sure.

When the game recommends RB's for Passing Down ("third or fourth down with five or more yards to go for the first down") and Near Certain Pass ("the game plan indicates there's more than a 90 percent chance of a pass"), why would it pick different RB's for each of these (as is what I am looking at just now)?

I am guessing that the better runner with reasonable pass-catching skill might be picked for Passing Down, because a run play might still be called, but when a pass play is nearly certain (bonus question/answer: what makes it "certain"?), that the better receiver of the two will be inserted?

Is that correct? Thanks.

[michael1123]

From what I've seen I think they tend to reccomend a running back that is better at picking up blitzes when its a near certain pass, while on regular passing downs they go with the better reciever.

The reasoning would be that when its a near certain pass you're more likely to be facing a heavy blitz, and also probably that there's more yards to go so your QB is less likely to dump it off to the running back.

Personally, if I have a great reciever in the backfield I still want him in when its a near certain pass, but I believe that's the AI's reasoning.

[1986 Giants]

Originally Posted by michael1123

From what I've seen I think they tend to reccomend a running back that is better at picking up blitzes when its a near certain pass, while on regular passing downs they go with the better reciever.

The reasoning would be that when its a near certain pass you're more likely to be facing a heavy blitz, and also probably that there's more yards to go so your QB is less likely to dump it off to the running back.

Personally, if I have a great reciever in the backfield I still want him in when its a near certain pass, but I believe that's the AI's reasoning.

That makes sense. In this case, however, both backs are rated exactly the same at picking up blitzes.

But, I bet the first factor is that, followed by better receiving ratings which is why the backup was picked as primary for just this one category.

Thanks for the response, though. I did not think of the blitzing aspect.