Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements - Patch Notes

[PVarck31]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

I didn't want to give any impressions on the coverage improvements until I played about 10 games.

I think some people play one game or a half and judge everything off that. Which is something we shouldn't be doing. I have been guilty of this many times in many games.

So with that said, I've noticed significant improvement in the deep zones. Also hook zones are better as well. I feel confident in calling zone plays, and especially zone blitzes now. I still on occasion see a DB do something stupid, but you have to chalk that up to things happening like that in real life. Even though maybe it was a bug or something, but I just pretend it was a blown coverage since it happens in every game in the NFL.

It can't be perfect or no one would score. I also feel like players are playing to their ability. I mostly play with the Browns and I can notice a huge difference between Denzel Ward and Sheldrick Redwine. Ward can mirror routes with the best WR's, and make plays more often than other DB's for me. Routinely knocking a ball away from a WR or stepping in front for a pick.

I think with the new Next-Gen Stats thing really helps with players abilities.

I would say the next gen game is now probably the best Madden ever.

[jfsolo]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

I didn't want to give any impressions on the coverage improvements until I played about 10 games.

I think some people play one game or a half and judge everything off that. Which is something we shouldn't be doing. I have been guilty of this many times in many games.

So with that said, I've noticed significant improvement in the deep zones. Also hook zones are better as well. I feel confident in calling zone plays, and especially zone blitzes now. I still on occasion see a DB do something stupid, but you have to chalk that up to things happening like that in real life. Even though maybe it was a bug or something, but I just pretend it was a blown coverage since it happens in every game in the NFL.

It can't be perfect or no one would score. I also feel like players are playing to their ability. I mostly play with the Browns and I can notice a huge difference between Denzel Ward and Sheldrick Redwine. Ward can mirror routes with the best WR's, and make plays more often than other DB's for me. Routinely knocking a ball away from a WR or stepping in front for a pick.

I think with the new Next-Gen Stats thing really helps with players abilities.

I would say the next gen game is now probably the best Madden ever.

I've play 8 Franchise games myself, and your thoughts mirror my own. I had created a pretty long post detailing every thing that I have been seeing, but decide not to post it because the general tenor of the board made me say, "why bother".

There are a few gameplay aspects than need to be resigned IMO, but I agree that it's the best playing Madden ever.

[MizzouRah]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

I've play 8 Franchise games myself, and your thoughts mirror my own. I had created a pretty long post detailing every thing that I have been seeing, but decide not to post it because the general tenor of the board made me say, "why bother".

There are a few gameplay aspects than need to be resigned IMO, but I agree that it's the best playing Madden ever.

My thoughts post patch are the same as well. After several games, Madden NG continues to have me in its grubby paws. I'm enjoying NHL 21 too but I can't pry myself away from my Falcons CFM.

Played the Giants tonight and I kickoff and Dante Pettis takes it 102 yards to the house. I'm not sure that has ever happened to me against the CPU before in Madden. He cut into a seam, my player was blocked and he was gone.

I find myself diagnosing the defense much more now looking for 1 on 1 matchups against Julio Jones or Calvin Ridley, I'm seeing WR/DB battles, CPU taking shots downfield, my star DT Grady Jarrett tossing the OL around and my 1st round pick DE Kwity Paye using his speed to get around the outside for a sack, I can go on and on. Each game is a chess match.

Star players are more noticeable on NG. I run away from players like Aaron Donald and a player like Kamara, I have to protect against the run, leaving holes in coverage. I'm just more engaged in the game and play calling.

[xCoachDx]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

So the zone coverage for me on defense is much improved, but I been having issues with man coverage lately. Seems 80% of the time when I call man coverage there is a big separation with my defenders. Not to mention I have 2 corners of 90 rating or higher, especially in man and they definitely don’t play like that.

Idk if others were having issues also

Is it still doing the pause and let receivers cross your face nonsense in man coverage?

[CujoMatty]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

I didn't want to give any impressions on the coverage improvements until I played about 10 games.

I think some people play one game or a half and judge everything off that. Which is something we shouldn't be doing. I have been guilty of this many times in many games.

So with that said, I've noticed significant improvement in the deep zones. Also hook zones are better as well. I feel confident in calling zone plays, and especially zone blitzes now. I still on occasion see a DB do something stupid, but you have to chalk that up to things happening like that in real life. Even though maybe it was a bug or something, but I just pretend it was a blown coverage since it happens in every game in the NFL.

It can't be perfect or no one would score. I also feel like players are playing to their ability. I mostly play with the Browns and I can notice a huge difference between Denzel Ward and Sheldrick Redwine. Ward can mirror routes with the best WR's, and make plays more often than other DB's for me. Routinely knocking a ball away from a WR or stepping in front for a pick.

I think with the new Next-Gen Stats thing really helps with players abilities.

I would say the next gen game is now probably the best Madden ever.

Agreed. After patch best Madden ever. Not really close for me either.

[PunkMonk]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

I didn't want to give any impressions on the coverage improvements until I played about 10 games.

I think some people play one game or a half and judge everything off that. Which is something we shouldn't be doing. I have been guilty of this many times in many games.

So with that said, I've noticed significant improvement in the deep zones. Also hook zones are better as well. I feel confident in calling zone plays, and especially zone blitzes now. I still on occasion see a DB do something stupid, but you have to chalk that up to things happening like that in real life. Even though maybe it was a bug or something, but I just pretend it was a blown coverage since it happens in every game in the NFL.

It can't be perfect or no one would score. I also feel like players are playing to their ability. I mostly play with the Browns and I can notice a huge difference between Denzel Ward and Sheldrick Redwine. Ward can mirror routes with the best WR's, and make plays more often than other DB's for me. Routinely knocking a ball away from a WR or stepping in front for a pick.

I think with the new Next-Gen Stats thing really helps with players abilities.

I would say the next gen game is now probably the best Madden ever.

I've play 8 Franchise games myself, and your thoughts mirror my own. I had created a pretty long post detailing every thing that I have been seeing, but decide not to post it because the general tenor of the board made me say, "why bother".

There are a few gameplay aspects than need to be resigned IMO, but I agree that it's the best playing Madden ever.

My thoughts post patch are the same as well. After several games, Madden NG continues to have me in its grubby paws. I'm enjoying NHL 21 too but I can't pry myself away from my Falcons CFM.

Played the Giants tonight and I kickoff and Dante Pettis takes it 102 yards to the house. I'm not sure that has ever happened to me against the CPU before in Madden. He cut into a seam, my player was blocked and he was gone.

I find myself diagnosing the defense much more now looking for 1 on 1 matchups against Julio Jones or Calvin Ridley, I'm seeing WR/DB battles, CPU taking shots downfield, my star DT Grady Jarrett tossing the OL around and my 1st round pick DE Kwity Paye using his speed to get around the outside for a sack, I can go on and on. Each game is a chess match.

Star players are more noticeable on NG. I run away from players like Aaron Donald and a player like Kamara, I have to protect against the run, leaving holes in coverage. I'm just more engaged in the game and play calling.

Agreed. After patch best Madden ever. Not really close for me either.

Are you guys playing on just default All-Madden or sliders?

[MizzouRah]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

I'm using sliders.

[CujoMatty]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

Ya me too. Adjusted qb accuracy. CPU pass blocking 35(that's an important one.)
Run blocking way down for me, way up for cpu.

All Madden difficulty

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

I've played about 10 H2H games and I am really impressed with the zone adjustments. The coverage adjustments work really well as well. (Over/Under coverage finally makes a huge difference)

I've haven't bought Madden the last few years mostly because of my frustrations with pass coverage but I can honestly say I'm enjoying it as of right now.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

[xCoachDx]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

I've play 8 Franchise games myself, and your thoughts mirror my own. I had created a pretty long post detailing every thing that I have been seeing, but decide not to post it because the general tenor of the board made me say, "why bother".

There are a few gameplay aspects than need to be resigned IMO, but I agree that it's the best playing Madden ever.

Best playing Madden ever? Are we serious? I’m still seeing defenders shift outward in coverage to allow a receiver to cross their face and then trail three yards behind them. Blocking schemes are horrendous. Too much emphasis on double teaming at the line and not enough on getting downfield (something the game got right 10 years ago bc they advertised it as a priority). Defenders don’t attack gaps. They just stand there waiting to be blocked. There’s a ton of shifting along the line. I mean the list goes on.

If you look at the game at a glance, basically looking at the result of the play/results of the game, it may seem like it’s solid. But when you look at how it achieved those results, looking at it piece by piece, it barely sniffs realism. This game has so far to go to catch up to where it once was. To call this the greatest Madden ever is insanity to me.

I honestly wish I had your level of enjoyment, but looking through a scope of realism, something the simulation tag makes you expect, it’s just not there.

[xCoachDx]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

Best playing Madden ever? Are we serious? I’m still seeing defenders shift outward in coverage to allow a receiver to cross their face and then trail three yards behind them. Blocking schemes are horrendous. Too much emphasis on double teaming at the line and not enough on getting downfield (something the game got right 10 years ago bc they advertised it as a priority). Defenders don’t attack gaps. They just stand there waiting to be blocked. There’s a ton of shifting along the line. I mean the list goes on.

If you look at the game at a glance, basically looking at the result of the play/results of the game, it may seem like it’s solid. But when you look at how it achieved those results, looking at it piece by piece, it barely sniffs realism. This game has so far to go to catch up to where it once was. To call this the greatest Madden ever is insanity to me.

I honestly wish I had your level of enjoyment, but looking through a scope of realism, something the simulation tag makes you expect, it’s just not there.

Double post essentially, but I seriously wish I was making this up. The four plays immediately after I wrote this went like this:

CPU ran a zone read to the right. The center looped around the left guard, then got sucked into an animation with the D linemen in front of him which trapped the guard between the two forcing him to run in place as the linebacker he was trying to get to ran free. What makes this funnier is the center should have been aiming for the linebacker and the guard aiming for the down lineman.

AI teammate was covering a drag route. Actually good coverage. Came to a complete stop when the pass was thrown and gave up the catch.

CPU ran right beside me. I mashed down X but the tackling animation did not trigger. Which is why an animation based tackling system is awful.

AI linebacker is filling the A gap. Basically warps around into the B gap taking himself out of the play. It wasn’t a big play tho bc my DT suddenly shifted from the blockers outside shoulder to his inside shoulder and reach tackle triggered.

This game is a total and complete mess.

[jfsolo]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

Best playing Madden ever? Are we serious? I’m still seeing defenders shift outward in coverage to allow a receiver to cross their face and then trail three yards behind them. Blocking schemes are horrendous. Too much emphasis on double teaming at the line and not enough on getting downfield (something the game got right 10 years ago bc they advertised it as a priority). Defenders don’t attack gaps. They just stand there waiting to be blocked. There’s a ton of shifting along the line. I mean the list goes on.

If you look at the game at a glance, basically looking at the result of the play/results of the game, it may seem like it’s solid. But when you look at how it achieved those results, looking at it piece by piece, it barely sniffs realism. This game has so far to go to catch up to where it once was. To call this the greatest Madden ever is insanity to me.

I honestly wish I had your level of enjoyment, but looking through a scope of realism, something the simulation tag makes you expect, it’s just not there.

I guess being insane somehow lets me not see any of the things you mention in the first paragraph. None. of. them. IMO no other Madden on the gameplay front is even close, once more for emphasis, not even close, especially not any Madden from two generations ago. So there we are.

[MizzouRah]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now - Franchise Mode & Zone Coverage Improvements -

Best playing Madden ever? Are we serious? I’m still seeing defenders shift outward in coverage to allow a receiver to cross their face and then trail three yards behind them. Blocking schemes are horrendous. Too much emphasis on double teaming at the line and not enough on getting downfield (something the game got right 10 years ago bc they advertised it as a priority). Defenders don’t attack gaps. They just stand there waiting to be blocked. There’s a ton of shifting along the line. I mean the list goes on.

If you look at the game at a glance, basically looking at the result of the play/results of the game, it may seem like it’s solid. But when you look at how it achieved those results, looking at it piece by piece, it barely sniffs realism. This game has so far to go to catch up to where it once was. To call this the greatest Madden ever is insanity to me.

I honestly wish I had your level of enjoyment, but looking through a scope of realism, something the simulation tag makes you expect, it’s just not there.

We are all entitled to our opinion are we not? I'm with jfsolo.. M21 NG is my favorite Madden to date. I don't analyze all the player movements, all I care about is... am I having fun?

Yes, I'm having an absolute blast playing the game.

[ParaAut]

Re: Madden NFL 21 Patch Available Now

I do not know if the QB Logic help... Really helped.

I am working on a franchise. I simmed, ended up with the first overall pick. I do not need to draft first, so I trade back to #11.

Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance are still sitting there. Wilson and Lance, I understand. But there is no way the top two quarterbacks fall outside of the top 10.

Edit: Traded back some more to see where they would fall. The Jets drafted Lawrence at 11, and the Steelers (Ben retired) drafted Fields at 13.

Before them, the Dolphins, Cards, Jags, Panthers, Eagles, Ravens, Patriots, and Lions drafted. The only teams with a 0% chance of drafting a QB would be the Cards and Ravens. The others, I can make an argument for all them to draft one. But I feel if the draft logic was smart, the Panthers (went LE) and Patriots (went WR) would have drafted a QB.

Edit 2: Redid the draft the same exact way, and the exact same results came out. I made the exact same trade. I redid a third time, traded with the Jags (they had the 3rd overall pick.) They drafted Lawrence #1. So, they will not draft him at #3 when he falls to them, but will take him if they trade up?

Fields still fell to the Steelers at #13. No other QB was taken in the first.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using Operation Sports mobile app

That's one of the main reasons why I don't like custom draft classes.


You adjust the ratings, you bring name recognition into play and expect the CPU to make the "right" decision - plus have it kind of randomized, otherwise CPU would make the same decision in every draft. I'm not saying it's wrong, but it will be really hard to get the CPU to the right decision here.


Draft is a very inexact science. Mock drafts are mostly useless and even if the majority of experts and teams agree, then players still fail. So you can hardly say that CPU made a mistake as all these QB's could just be busts and CPU made exact the right decision not to draft any of them.


Everyone should play as they like to, but it's against the computer. If you wan't better decisions (but still not logical always), then try a 32-man league.