Far too many interceptions
 

First, let me say that Im a veteran of the game. Ive been playing Madden since 1991 on the NES, and NCAA since the mid-90s on the PS1. Ive played thousands of games against the CPU, and Dynasty is the only way that I play.

I traditionally run a relatively safe, west coast style offense. I like to run the ball about half the time, and throw a lot of short and mid range passes, only going deep what its obviously open or I need long yardage. I throw a lot of slants, short outs, and passes in the flat to the RB and TE. My goal is a lot of completions, a high completion percentage, and very few turnovers. 10-15 play drives are commonplace.

Then, in this year's game, the CPU has forced me to change everything up. In about 30 games so far in two different dynasties, 95% of the CPU teams that I play against play an EXTREMELY agressive defense where they blitz on almost every play and go tight man coverage almost exclusively (never zone). This leads to my running backs being tackled in the backfield on what should generally be very safe plays on early downs, and forces me to pass the ball about 75% of the time.

Beyond that, the style of the defense causes my offensive system to fail more than it suceeds, and Im left with no choice but to play like a 13 year old and go deep way too often. The CPU jumps even the safest routs on the sideline and picks the ball off, usually with LBs and SS. I cant even complete a four yard pass on 1st and 10 to the RB without the opposing defense reading it as if it were the most obvious and only choice. The same happens with slants over the middle, and on passes to the TE, a defender as many as 10 yards away will close on the ball in an instant and pick it off.

All of this leads to me throwing 2-4 picks a game, which drives me nuts, and also forces me to go deep on almost every drive. My typical games (7 min quarters, All American, default sliders), I end up with 400+ passing yards, 50 of fewer rushing yards, four to six TD passes and 3-4 picks. Not satisfying or realistic. In my last completed season, I threw for over 50 TDs, but had over 30 picks, and was last in the country in rushing offense.

Any ideas? Does the CPU always jump the safe, short to medium range passes no matter what, and always give up the big play? It seems crazy.

Re: Far too many interceptions
 

It is my understanding that they tightened up Man coverage on slants of any kind to eliminate "cheesing." They also eliminated the ability to run slants to the sideline due to faulty CPU AI ability to properly cover it.

Most people that have passing offenses run whips and curls because it's the new slant play. Yes it does seems as though their aggressiveness has been notched up a bit. If you don't like your results you might check out some of the sliders in the Slider Forums on this site. Lots of people do some good adjusting to make games more realistic if that's the feel you're going for.

Hope this helps mate.

Re: Far too many interceptions
 

You just need slider tweaks. Check out the slider forum. If you just read through the threads you will find an answer for almost everything you are having problems with.

Re: Far too many interceptions
 

yeah, sounds everything a slider adjustment could fix.

i've run into the situation where i'm gettin g picks/ i toned it down last night, so hopefully i've got the problem under control before the next game.

Re: Far too many interceptions
 

tips:
first get better at the game

second- learn to run; a number of things change speed threshold, put run blocking on 55, use slide protect pinch and aggressive, read holes.

third- turn down cpu int to 40-45 because they do catch alot without drops.
more often than not your slot wr will be open, with the new trajectories way more passing routes are avaliable this year so i'm not sure what your having trouble with, lead pass, practice timing of routes.

last- MOST of the time the cpu gets beat deep they play a Cover 2 zone, they blitz alot cant stop that checkdown to rb/te. play action. everything is avaliable.

Re: Far too many interceptions
 

Use the coaching sliders in the slider forum. This will correct the super aggressive defenses thus lowering the frequency at which they jump routes and intercept the ball.

Re: Far too many interceptions
 

These kind of responses are almost useless. Get better at the game? Really? Dude has been playing it for 15+ years and your first thing is get better at the game? The game changed bro. Yes he can adjust. It doesn't mean he is bad. I also had issues with interceptions until slider adjustments and playing with the CPU's new style of defense. That's all you have to say. You don't insult the guy. Some people.. I swear.

Re: Far too many interceptions
 

You have to realize, most of the people that come with those particular responses are the ones who use every cheese in the book, or play on Junior Varsity.

I've got to be honest though, I'm getting less interceptions this year than I ever have. I use to average two or three a game.. now I average about one one Hail Mary's at half time and sometimes I force one still.

I'd definitely recommend checking out a couple of sliders, just make sure you up the Pass Blocking or you will find yourself running for you life as well.