It isn't impossible to play defense against the computer in this game. I just playedan OTP with a friend of mine against the computer Colts. My friend is new to the game so he just played D-Line and I was the LB. We were the Jets, his favorite team for years [he's happy they are finally good.] We smoked the computer on All-Pro 35-17. Manning threw two picks to the computer controlled Antonio Cromartie, one was computer controlled returned for a TD.
One of the keys is to understand your teams defensive ratings. As the Jets, it helps to call a lot of man coverage and allow OLB/LE Jason Taylor pass rush. Since Taylor plays OLB, I tend to go into nickle and dime formations and use the formation substitutions [on screen prompt before picking play] and select LB pass rush. I also tend to call a lot of Double X and use the coverage audible to press coverage because Cromartie has poor press coverage, so that's why I call double X to give him help, however Revis has great press coverage.
That was just an example of knowing your entire defense's strengths and weaknesses to put them in the best position on 3rd down to make a stop. Like I said, it led to two picks and one for a TD. I am a 49ers fan, so I call
a lot of cover three zone blitzes and cover three base zones. The 49ers have slow defensive backs and most of them also have low man coverage and high zone coverage. Just going through the formations and calling a different cover three zone blitz every play while mixing in base zones and cover two zones/zone blitzes works for me as well. Knowing how to maximize your teams strengths while minimizing their weaknesses goes a long way to improving your play.
On top of that, if you can run a ball control offense and allow your defense some time to rest [real life strategy] you will do better as well. I assume you are using the rams. I suggest you [suck on an egg
] use S. Jackson to grind the ball up the middle often on offense and try not to lean on Sam Bradford too much. Call a pass on 1st or 2ed down and try to make 2 or 3rd down shorter so you can run for he first. If you fail to complete the pass on 1st, think about running on 2ed down. it's not good that often to call "pass-pass-pass-punt." Your defense won't be too happy with you doing that.